How would you like to have the same success as visionary companies like John Deere, Cinergy, now part of Duke Energy, and our far eastern North Carolinian neighbor SAS of Cary? You can drive anywhere around Lake Norman, Cabarrus County or around the world and see John Deere equipment being used. Growing into a worldwide 52,000 people enterprise is not bad growth for a one-man blacksmith shop.

Or, what about our fellow North Carolinian neighbor, SAS? Thirty-two years ago, they didn't exist. Now, as a world leader in data transformation, they have $2.15 billion in annual revenues. It sounds good to me.

Oh by the way, why would our home grown Duke Energy be interested in buying a Cincinnati, Ohio company? Back in 2005, Paul Anderson Chair and CEO of Duke Energy said, "Between our two companies we have an impressive depth and breadth of talent. As we fill the next levels of leadership we will continue to benefit from the bench strength both companies bring to this combination."

So what does an energy company originally from Cincinnati, a blacksmith's shop from the state of Washington and a new high-tech company from Cary have in common? You probably already answered this for yourself because the answer is simple, people.

We have all read about having the right people on the bus, so it's nothing we didn't already know. But somehow these folks managed to do it and do it very well.

So what are these visionary companies doing what 85% of all the other companies are not doing to keep their buses filled with the right people? Here is the second part of this story. It is something you could do, starting tomorrow.

Hopefully it doesn't come as a surprise to you that gold was discovered right here in Cabarrus County. Conrad Reed was the son of a British Revolutionary War deserter who found a farm that later became Reed's Gold Mine. I am not suggesting you run out with a pick and shovel and dig for gold. However, there is a tradition of finding gold in these parts. That should make it easier for you to mine for golden talent.

There is something else you should know about these three companies. Apart from making Fortune Magazine's list of the 1000 best companies to work for, at one time or another they all made the AARP's Top Fifty. If you are not familiar with that list it's understandable. More than 90% of all US companies are not mining for talent among the growing field of 50+ workers. These workers represent a Barrick gold mine of talent. If you don't know Barrick, look it up. They are the largest gold miners ever and even Charles Allmon the world's most conservative financial guru rates it worth while owning.

However, the real gold mine for your business is the hidden talent that sits all around you. In the Charlotte ADI, 26.6% of working age people are between the ages of 54 to 74. If you are looking for talent and experience, being age-friendly may be just the right strategy for your business and is something you can easily institute tomorrow.

Oh, I know you may have some concerns. Quite frankly there are a number of myths out there about senior workers. Myths such as they are more expensive, slower at learning new skills, would have difficulty working in a fast-paced environment and could have difficulties fitting into a younger culture. Are these myths proven by facts? Not according to a 2005 Towers Perrin / AARP report or the AARP Top 50 companies or me personally. Albeit, I confess to a certain bias, I am 62.

But, let's just take the notion that older workers would have difficulty working in a fast-paced environment. Don't kid yourself, high tech companies didn't invent fast-paced environments. These types environments are nothing new. When Polaroid introduced the SX-70 camera in 1971, Dr. Ed Land was 62 years old and I guarantee you he out worked everyone. He consistently was in his office until the wee hours and still had the energy in the morning to visit us younger people.

In the Towers Perrin / AARP study they found that, "Older workers are more motivated to exceed expectations than their younger counterparts." Bob Skladany, author of MYTHS ABOUT OLDER WORKERS: THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE, wrote in his review of the report, "This observed behavior is seen in age 50+ workers no matter what their length of service and lends weight to the capability of older workers to function in demanding environments."

He also pointed out, that research conducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows no significant difference between the hours worked by younger and older employees. In fact, the length of the average work week has hovered around 40 to 45 hours for decades.

OK, now you know that gold was discovered right here in Cabarrus County and that there is much golden talent all around you. Take some time to think about being or becoming an age-friendly company. You may make the AARP list. Better yet, discover that gold mining pays big dividends in finding good help.

Erwin Aguayo, formerly President of Media Arts & Images and author of Perceptionicity, Harvesting Perceptions, has been in advertising, broadcast, media and marketing in Charlotte and Florida for thirty-five years. For questions regarding this article or other information about similar topics email him at erwin.aguayo@gmail.com