Many already are located in a region or location they favor and it is difficult to get them to move. Reasons for this include family situations such as dual careers, a desire to stay close to an aging parent, or not wanting to uproot children. People will move for an increased quality of life. The trend favors metropolitan locations. An example of a top location is Chicago, which is centrally located and offers cultural diversity and very good quality of life.
Companies can meet the challange of geographic diversity in several ways.
Smart companies are moving out of unfortunate locations. They also are extending the corporate footprint using satellite research and development centers to serve their clientele. New development centers can be justified in proximity to important end users and original equipment manufacturers. They are looking at ways to decentralize certain positions to improve conditions and retain key workers. In short, it improves recruiting.