My take: 1) actual depth of specific talent desired and 2) perception of the depth of that specific talent desired.
Actual depth of talent:
Most super-ambitious companies (software development, private equity, biotech) want access to the top 1-3% of the talent pool for specific roles so will only go to where they know those people are in greatest #s. They can find data on the availability of these people (where they currently live).
Perception of talent:
Most companies don't do studies to determine where opening offices. They rely on their instinct and places' reputations. This is why a city's reputation is so important. Specifically that its a place where smart people of all types WANT to live. CEOs/Human Resources Officers think: "Is this the kind of city where i think we can recruit people to move to? Does this city appeal to smart, talented, highly educated population?" Notice how cities that are purple and have both left and right wing populations seem to be doing best at this. Major cornerstone institutions can help too: universities, major companies.
It seems that #1 we have to grow the # of people with bachelors and advanced degrees in FW. Think most of us who follow economic development topics understood that. Can do by growing the # of graduates in Fort Worth (via TCU, TWU, TAMU, Tarleton FW) and by importing, which i think we've been doing.
And if we succeed in doing #1 (growing # of college educated people), that #2 (the perception) is eventually likely to follow - provided we promote that fact.
Making our city attractive to talented people seems like the fun part, because, Im think is very similar to improving our city in ways that make us enjoy life here too. Off top of my head, that is: awesome parks and trails for walking and cycling**, focus on making key places like Downtown, Nearsouthside super walkable so they compete favorably with similar urban places in other cities that compete, esp for younger people and those we're recruiting from large cities who dont want to sacrifice having access to (or living in) walkable urban neighborhoods.
The list could go on toward perfection but people make decisions based on first impressions they get when visiting a place for a weekend. They dont see the entire city. This just means focusing on making some places excellent, but not neglecting others. If we spread too thin, we will have zero excellent places, which I think are key to this attracting talent.
**think an example worth considering is: could we make Fort Worth a top-5 US city for cyclists? At least top 10 within 7-10 years? Would come as a surprise to people from other cities and the kind of recognition that helps us stand out - even to those like me who very rarely ride but view it as a signal that a city is a great place to live.