The book Brain Gain is a great best-seller for those who want to implement new models of local development and digital transformation. Shortly after Assaí was ranked in ICF’s Top7, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) became interested in investing in Assaí's talents. The city began to use concepts from Brain Gain to create a public policy focused on training and retaining talent, and we structured a training framework, including programming, Six Sigma process improvement and critical thinking. Our success in recruitment and bootcamps led TCS to invest in a headquarters in Assaí, which will employ 500 young people at a bank that is a TCS client.

– Igor Oliveira, Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation for Assaí, Paraná, Brazil

Digitalization has destroyed jobs. When we pick up a book – especially one with an optimistic title – we so often question the authors’ motivations. But, in truth, the honest reality that pervades this work is a sign of confidence. The authors are not mere reporters of some fashionable development trends. The level of detail betrays a depth of knowledge garnered through years of research. They have not only been there, collected the tee shirt and worn it, but have probed in depth how some communities around the world have risen above their challenges and transformed their economic and societal prospects.

– David Brunnen, Groupe Intellex, England

Brain Gain has placed effects of community investments in technology and broadband connectivity in the larger and proper context of innovation and economic development. Every community interested in Gigabit fiber should make this book required reading to understand how to ensure that broadband investments actually have the anticipated impact they hope for.

– Andrew Cohill, Design Nine, USA

Brain Gain explores the most important issue facing cities today, whether they are technology centers like Issy-les-Moulineaux or in the middle of agricultural lands. The issue is how to attract and retain the talented people who provide the energy of the modern economy. The lessons it offers, based on the experience of leading cities around the world, are of great value.

– Mayor André Santini, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

There’s a new book out that could serve you personally, and might save your community at the same time. It’s Brain Gain: How Innovative Cities Create Job Growth in an Age of Disruption. The book reveals in its title the secret to prosperity in the 21st Century. For individuals and communities, the key is to use your brainpower to design, develop, and deploy solutions for human needs and desires.

- Jay Gillette, Network World