Not long after getting my new grill for Father's Day, I had the misfortune of finding out my air conditioner wasn't working. Talk about an instant downer.

I figured out immediately what was wrong - we've been down this road before - and arranged to get the needed part. Still, I called my dad and asked him to come over and supervise the repair.

What does this have to do with business? More than you might think.

Consider these facts provided by Lynne Lancaster during a recent Community Leaders Breakfast.

n Within seven years, 30 million currently employed U.S. workers will be over age 55.

n Companies are losing leaders at a much faster pace than they are producing them. More than 30 million managers and leaders will be retiring within the next five years.

n By 2012, the United States likely will have a shortage of some 10 million knowledgeable workers.

Sure, I could have repaired my air conditioner by myself. But having my dad there assured me I wasn't going to blow something up. Having done the repair myself, unlike the first time when he did the work and I watched, I'm prepared for the next time it happens.

Businesses need to do the same.

Bringing young workers into the fold now and allowing them the time to learn from, and in some cases teach, their more experienced counterparts is important to assuring the long-term success of your company.