Technology companies excelled during the early years of the coronavirus pandemic as businesses scrambled to adapt to remote and hybrid working. However, over the past couple of years, the industry has faced challenges including layoffs and global, macroeconomic uncertainties. While the sector appears to be recovering in 2024, having a strong brand continues to be essential to stand out from your competition.

Follow this guide to build a brand that secures your tech company’s future.

The importance of branding in the tech industry

Too often, branding is reduced to the visual appearance of a company. However, building a successful brand involves more than developing a logo and a strapline. Those elements are part of successful branding, but a strong brand gives meaning to an organization in the audience’s mind.

Branding creates an identity of a company in potential clients’ minds, helping differentiate the company and its products from competitors through an emotional connection. Think about Apple, for example: Over the past few decades, the company has built a reputation for innovation and quality, creating fiercely loyal customers in the process.

Strong brands inspire loyalty and trust, leading to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. Building those connections takes time, although brand teams can encourage these connections through loyalty programs.

Leading brand strategists understand their competitors’ branding strategies as well as their own and use their insights to differentiate their brands. If you’re representing a tech startup, for example, you may be looking at other startups and analyzing how they pitch themselves against industry giants.

Related: 3 Branding Strategies That Will Make Any Brand Stand Out

Defining your brand identity

Defining your brand identity starts by establishing a clear, compelling value proposition that communicates what distinguishes your tech brand from others. Zoom, the video conferencing software, excelled at this at the beginning of the pandemic. The brands addressed customer pain points by focusing on being user-friendly and reliable in a time of great uncertainty.

Define your brand’s core values, and draft a mission statement that aligns with your business goals and resonates with your audience. For modern tech brands, functionality is not enough. Emphasizing transparency and social responsibility are just as important.

With a value proposition, brand values and a mission established, you can start creating the visual and verbal elements of your brand identity. Logos, color schemes, typography and imagery form part of that. Once decided, use these elements consistently to increase brand recognition across all your communication channels.

Building brand awareness

Content marketing is one of the most impactful strategies tech brands can leverage to establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry. The customer relationship management platform, Hubspot, is a great example of a brand that built awareness through content marketing using blogs, case studies and other forms of content. The team shared valuable insights that helped connect with and engage its audience.

Social media posts and influencer collaborations are two more options to allow you to build brand awareness. Both amplify your branding and let you build connections with industry experts who can maximize your brand’s reach and grow your credibility.

Engage with tech journalists and media outlets to share your brand’s story and secure coverage for your brand’s milestones, product launches and innovations. Compelling press releases and pitches is often the first step in building media relations and keeping your brand and its founders in the spotlight.

Related: 2 Key Marketing Tactics to Increase Brand Awareness and Credibility

Creating a brand experience

Building a strong and resilient tech brand wouldn’t be possible without creating a user-centered experience. For your product and your brand to excel, customers should enjoy a seamless, intuitive user experience (UX) across all touchpoints. Customer feedback will help you refine your product’s and brand’s UX.

Foster a sense of community among your users through social media groups, events and online forums. Brands like WordPress have long encouraged users to exchange insights and expertise through user-generated content and code. Testimonials and reviews are also powerful when it comes to building trust and brand loyalty.

Exceptional customer support is the anchor of a great brand experience. Your commitment to customer service needs to be reflected in every interaction, from pre-sales inquiries to post-purchase support. Your team needs to understand that every customer service interaction is a branding opportunity that can enhance customer satisfaction and help you differentiate yourself from competitors.

Measuring brand performance and iterating

Building a strong tech brand is impossible without monitoring brand performance and adapting your approach. Define your most relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure brand health, such as brand awareness, customer loyalty and market share. Analytics tools like tracking surveys and social listening will allow you to assess brand visibility and sentiment.

Don’t be afraid to solicit customer feedback through surveys, focus groups and online reviews to understand their perceptions of your brand. Being proactive about asking for feedback makes it easier to identify areas for improvement and opportunities to strengthen your brand.

Brand-building strategies aren’t static. While consistency in brand voice, appearance and other factors is important, leading brands iterate their strategy on an ongoing basis. To build a successful tech brand, your team needs to be prepared to refine and adapt your brand strategy based on market trends, competitive pressures and changing customer needs.

In most cases, changing logos and brand visuals are the most easily visible evidence of changing tech branding strategies. However, iterating a brand can go further than that. IBM, for example, transformed itself from a hardware brand to cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI).

Related: Here’s How You Differentiate Yourself in a Crowded Market

Strong tech brands stand out in a competitive market and lay the foundations for a successful future. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to build a solid brand that connects to customers in the long term. Branding is an ongoing process that requires a thorough understanding of your audience, consistent engagement and adaptability. With a clear brand identity, effective communication and a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, your tech brand can achieve lasting success and recognition.

You have to be reachable while running your business. Staying connected is non-negotiable for everyone, whether you’re hopping from one meeting to the next or navigating through airports. But with all the hustle, the last thing you need is to be weighed down by bulky gadgets.

Meet the NanoPhone, a credit-card-sized smartphone that’s all about simplifying your travel experience while keeping your digital life fully functional. It is designed for those of us who want to take a step back from all the devices we carry but still stay connected to home, work, and all of our favorite apps—and it’s on sale for just $109.99 (reg. $199).

It’s equipped with dual SIM support, allowing you to manage personal and business calls on one device or easily switch between two numbers while traveling. With 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, you can browse the web, stream content, and stay in touch with colleagues and clients via apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube—all from the palm of your hand. However, the SIM card and data plan are not included.

Traveling with a smartphone doesn’t have to mean carrying around a cumbersome device. The NanoPhone offers a streamlined solution that focuses on what truly matters: staying connected and productive on the go.

Whether you’re attending a conference, a wedding, exploring a new city, or just need a reliable backup phone, the NanoPhone is your go-to tool for simplifying your tech while keeping all the essential features you rely on. It even has built-in cameras (front and back) to capture your important moments.

Downsizing your smartphone doesn’t mean downsizing your capabilities. The NanoPhone is the perfect example of how less can truly be more—offering all the essential functions you need in a portable, easy-to-carry design.

Get the NanoPhone miniaturized smartphone for just $109.99 (reg. $199) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Running any business is demanding, but having the right tools can make all the difference. With a 12-month subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal for just $44.97, you can gain access to the latest and most powerful versions of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.

Whether you’re on a PC, Mac, iOS, or Android device, Microsoft 365 keeps you connected, productive, and secure. You even get access on up to five devices at a time. This means you can start a project on your desktop in the office, make edits on your tablet during your commute, and review your work on your smartphone while on the go.

Your Microsoft apps also give you design, writing, and speaking suggestions. You can also access an extended collection of royalty-free creative content, including templates, stock photos, icons, fonts, and more.

Microsoft 365 Personal comes with 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage, allowing you to store files, photos, and videos securely. Plus, with Microsoft Defender, you can manage your digital security, including identity theft monitoring, to help keep your business data safe. Outlook’s built-in security features keep your emails free from ads and threats, allowing you to focus on your business.

One of the biggest advantages of a Microsoft 365 subscription is that you’ll always have access to the latest features and updates as soon as they’re released. This means your tools are always cutting-edge, giving you a competitive edge in your industry. And if you ever run into any issues, Microsoft’s technical support is just a chat or phone call away, ready to assist with both Microsoft 365 and Windows 11.

From robust productivity tools to top-notch security features and seamless cross-device compatibility, Microsoft 365 is designed to help you succeed in every aspect of your business.

Get a 12-month subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal for just $44.97 (reg. $69) through September 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Every entrepreneur’s journey is unique — there’s no one-size-fits-all path to success. There is, however, a proven sequence of steps that can turn your idea into a thriving business. I’ve seen this process unfold firsthand, launching my first business at age 14, and currently as an angel investor advising numerous startups. Let’s dive into these essential steps.

1. Pick a lane

Every entrepreneur dreams of success, but defining what that means for you is the key to making it a reality. This step is crucial as it empowers you to take control of your entrepreneurial journey. Reflect on what success looks like for you, considering your goals, risk tolerance, market dynamics, competition and more. Assess your passions, skills, limitations and resources — and then follow a course that makes sense. Will this be your supplementary or primary source of income? How big do you want to grow? Are you seeking profits, impact or something else? Answering these questions thoroughly and honestly will allow you to lay a strong foundation for success.

Related: 4 Steps to Moving Beyond the ‘Lightbulb Moment’ and Turning Your Idea into a Thriving Business

2. Identify an unmet need

The most successful startups solve problems that haven’t been addressed yet, often by being disruptive or pioneering a new category. If your idea doesn’t solve an apparent problem, it’s time to return to the drawing board. Identifying a need goes beyond casual observations or gut feelings; extensive market research like interviews, focus groups and audience development is essential to uncover your potential customers’ needs, desires and pain points. Combine this research with networking and deep conversations with industry experts and investors to further validate your ideas. Only after thoroughly understanding your audience should you start building a proof of concept or minimum viable product (MVP) that brings your idea to life.

A prime example is Julia Haart, serial entrepreneur, fashion icon, author and Netflix reality star who founded +Body, a body-positive, technologically advanced shapewear brand in 2023, with a second collection debuting this Fall. A disruptor at her core, Julia revamped the first collection after conducting extensive market research and gave customers what they wanted — a lower price point, four levels of compression and “ready to wear” shapewear staples like t-shirts, tank tops and bodysuits. She continually welcomes feedback to refine her products and stay connected with customers.

3. Develop your product

Impatient and unseasoned entrepreneurs often rush to this step, but success requires a solid foundation and clear understanding of the need before moving forward. When it’s time to build, follow these vital steps to bring your idea to life:

• Select a name: Don’t rely on hunches. Draw on market research and focus on options that are short, memorable and SEO-friendly. For inspiration, consider using tools like ChatGPT or other generative tools.

• Choose a structure: Picking the proper business structure is critical, as it impacts everything from taxes to liability to daily operations. The four most common structures are sole proprietorships, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), corporations and partnerships. The simplest and most common is a sole proprietorship, where one person owns the business but is personally liable for its debts. An LLC offers more flexibility with liability protection and pass-through taxation. A corporation is a more complex structure where the business is a separate entity from its owners. S-corporations provide pass-through taxation with a cap of 100 shareholders, whereas C-corporations allow unlimited shareholders but face double taxation. A traditional corporation offers limited liability protection and the ability to raise capital through stock and bonds, but like C-Corps, it is also subject to double taxation. Lastly, partnerships involve two or more individuals sharing ownership and responsibilities, with options for general or limited partnerships.

• Protect your brand: Make sure you’re buttoned up: Compliance with all relevant federal and state laws, regulations and industry standards is essential. Obtain licenses and permits, study local labor laws, and prioritize data privacy. Safeguard your intellectual property through trademarks, patents and copyrights, and strongly consider using nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to maintain confidentiality.

• Build the plan: A detailed business plan is indispensable for establishing structure, attracting investors and setting the stage for success. Carefully outline your topline goals and strategies to specific operational structures and financial projections. HR considerations like staffing, compensation and benefits are also integral to a business plan. And remember: Marketing and communications should never be an afterthought. These elements are vital to business success. If you are new to writing business plans, resources like SCORE and HubSpot offer excellent templates.

• Network like crazy: Building strong relationships is as important as having a solid product and business plan. A broader network opens doors to more resources, opportunities and support. Make it a priority to connect with mentors, peers and investors daily, both online and in person. Joining professional groups like Entrepreneurs’ Organization or Young Entrepreneur Council are great places to start.

Related: How to Design and Produce Products from Scratch — A Step-by-Step Guide for Entrepreneurs

4. Blast off

The moment has arrived to introduce your idea to the world. Now is the time to roll out your sales and PR strategies and acquire customers. Implement competitive yet profitable pricing, and establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress. Ensure you’re also cultivating a positive company culture by prioritizing values like collaboration, innovation and a customer-centric mindset. And don’t forget to celebrate! Host a grand opening event, and invite business leaders and local dignitaries to mark the occasion in style.

5. Focus on profitability

A steady cash flow is the lifeblood of any successful business, but it doesn’t come automatically. Start with ample cash reserves, and pursue profits to avoid relying on short-term loans. When I launched my marketing agency, my first hire was a bookkeeper to ensure financial health. I highly recommend bringing in an accountant or bookkeeper from day one to help manage your finances and keep your business in the black.

Every entrepreneur’s journey is unique, and there’s no way to anticipate each challenge or opportunity. The above steps are relevant across the board — so take note, invest all the necessary time and energy, and prepare to turn that idea into an empire.

Related: Why Being Profitable is a Business Strategy in Itself

Will AI steal your job? Goldman Sachs estimates that AI could replace or downgrade 300 million jobs by 2030, affecting gigs in writing, translation, customer service, and other areas. Goldman further predicts that AI could automate one in four jobs in the next six years — across all industries.

“You can’t have artificial intelligence without human intelligence,” Reddit CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman said on Thursday about the challenges of AI, adding, “I think practically there’s an ecosystem, there’s a balance here that’s really important.”

Faced with a changing job landscape, career changers or job seekers may ask: Are there any AI-proof jobs out there?

Related: ChatGPT Is Writing Lots of Job Applications, But Companies Are Quickly Catching On. Here’s How.

A report published earlier this week by Resume Genius tackled that question by taking pay data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and aligning it with jobs with the lowest automation risk, according to a risk calculator.

The resulting ten roles were the highest-paying, lowest-AI-risk jobs with much faster than average growth — and they were all in health care.

“Healthcare roles require a level of human connection and empathy that AI simply can’t replicate,” Resume Genius lead career expert Eva Chan stated. “In the end, healthcare is as much about emotional support as it is about clinical expertise, and that’s where AI falls short.”

Related: These Are the Best Jobs for Every Personality Type, According to a New Report

The median annual salaries for these positions range from $78,100 to $130,020.

But you don’t have to be in healthcare to AI-proof your career. Samuel Johns, hiring manager at CV Genius, says that those who “successfully adapt and incorporate AI into their workflow” while also developing “soft skills” like problem-solving and teamwork are the ones who will thrive in an AI-centered work environment.

Here are the 10 jobs that Resume Genius highlighted.

1. Physician assistants

Median salary: $130,020

AI job takeover risk: 0%

2. Nurse practitioners

Median salary: $129,480

AI job takeover risk: 0%

3. Veterinarians

Median salary: $119,100

AI job takeover risk: 6.8%

4. Medical and health services managers

Median salary: $110,680

AI job takeover risk: 16.3%

5. Physical therapists

Median salary: $99,710

AI job takeover risk: 0%

6. Occupational therapists

Median salary: $96,370

AI job takeover risk: 0%

7. Speech-language pathologists

Median salary: $89,290

AI job takeover risk: 8.7%

8. Audiologists

Median salary: $87,740

AI job takeover risk: 12.5%

9. Epidemiologists

Median salary: $81,390

AI job takeover risk: 6.7%

10. Orthotists and prosthetists

Median salary: $78,100

AI job takeover risk: 1.8%

Related: These Are the Top 15 Jobs With the Highest Entry-Level Pay

The demand for top talent is at an all-time high, and there is immense pressure to attract and retain the best talent to keep your businesses competitive and highly desirable with clients and customers.

Top talent has plenty of options when it comes to selecting the right business in terms of compensation, location, benefits, culture and work environment. Losing a talented team member can be expensive and disruptive for the business. For smaller business owners with limited financial resources, it can be especially challenging to retain these resources. It’s critical for owners to understand the best practices they can deploy to avoid losing valuable team members to other businesses.

Below, I’ll share five key strategies for talent development and retention.

Related: 14 Strategies For How To Retain Top Talent and Build Championship Teams

1. Personalized learning paths

According to one report by McKinsey, over 40% of employees leave their current employer because there were few opportunities for development and career advancement. Prioritizing the development of your team is a great way to both benefit the organization and the employee. While most organizations have some form of training or development for employees, they often lack personalization that matches the employees’ specific career goals.

The reality is that everyone needs something different when it comes to career development. By assessing each team member’s career goals, your business can craft a personalized mix of online courses, mentorships and on-the-job training that helps them get where they want to go. This ensures that the employees feel valued and that the company is invested in their professional growth. This not only results in happier and more productive employees but supports long-term retention as well.

2. Assignment flexibility

It’s extremely difficult to keep employees engaged. In today’s business environment, stagnation is a recipe for burnout. Companies can offer a rotation program that allows employees to get exposure and experience in different departments for a set period. This not only keeps them challenged and learning new skills but gives them a broader perspective of the business’s operations and goals. This also supports a team that is more versatile and valuable, reducing the risk of skill gaps and improving cross-training.

If your team is small, consider opening this up to other related and non-competing businesses, maybe from an association or group your business is a member of.

3. Mentorship programs

Mentorship programs are essential for providing guidance and support for new hires and junior employees who are looking to advance their careers. By pairing employees with seasoned mentors, your company can facilitate knowledge transfer and improve the overall strength of the team. Mentorship programs are also a great way for employees to build connections with the leadership team, which can support a culture of belonging and loyalty.

And don’t forget that mentorship is a two-way learning program. Your seasoned mentors can no doubt learn plenty from your new hires and junior employees.

Related: 6 Reasons Why Business Leaders Should Implement Official Mentor Programs

4. Foster a culture of creativity

As an owner, your objective is to attract and retain talent that is highly creative. It’s important to make sure you aren’t stifling your creative culture by constantly bombarding your team with non-creative tasks and activities. This will ultimately lead them to seek employment with an organization that allows them to keep their creative juices flowing.

Instead, give your employees the autonomy to spend a portion of their week focusing on innovative ideas or learning opportunities that might be outside of their regular duties. This is a practice that has been successfully deployed at a number of large tech companies, like Google’s “20% time” policy. Having this dedicated time provides a refreshing break from routine tasks while also offering the opportunity to discover new innovative products or solutions for your company.

5. Prioritize work-life balance and well-being

When employees start to feel stressed and overwhelmed, it often results in them seeking employment elsewhere in hopes of finding a better work-life balance. As a business owner, prioritizing the health and well-being of your team can keep them sharp and less likely to experience burnout.

A great start is by offering flexible working arrangements, such as flexible hours or remote work. This not only allows you to access a wider talent pool but also helps improve your existing team’s job satisfaction. You can also offer additional perks such as mental health days, gym memberships and other employee wellness resources.

Talent retention requires continuous improvement

Retaining your top talent should begin and end with employee feedback. Business owners should start by assessing the current needs of their organization through employee surveys, focus groups and stay interviews. This can give you a sense of what types of initiatives would be most impactful with your team. Once you hear from the team, you can set clear goals and define success metrics for each program. Most importantly, you must take action on the feedback that you receive. Inaction sends a message to the team that you don’t care about them.

Not all programs will be successful. Take the time to regularly review the effectiveness of each initiative through feedback and performance metrics. Feel free to stop any programs that aren’t resonating with the team. For those that work, celebrating successes will reinforce their value with employees and encourage ongoing participation. Through continuous improvement, you’ll discover the best practices to shift your culture and environment to one where people feel excited to show up and give their best every day.

Related: 5 Essential Steps to Drive a Culture of Continuous Improvement

For entrepreneurs and design professionals who are looking to elevate their projects, Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11 offers a powerful yet user-friendly solution that combines precision, versatility, and an extensive object library—all for just $39.99 (reg. $330).

Whether you’re a seasoned architect or a DIY enthusiast, this software offers a seamless blend of simplicity and sophistication. Its intuitive interface guides you through every step of the design process, from sketching floor plans to visualizing your space in stunning 3D.

This Windows-only software is designed to make your workflow more efficient and your designs more precise. It has a host of powerful tools and features that simplify complex tasks. For instance, the program offers dedicated input modes for walls, windows, and doors, allowing you to quickly and accurately define key elements of your project. Additionally, numerical editing tools provide even greater precision, ensuring that every measurement and modification is spot on.

Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11 has auto-save functionality and reminders to save your work manually, so you never have to worry about losing progress. The context menu supports cut, copy, and paste functions, making it easier to manage different elements of your design. With powerful floor plan analysis and correction features, you can quickly identify and address any issues before they become problems.

It has extensive object catalogs that provide a wide range of 3D objects and more than 250 ready-to-use object groups. From pre-designed garages and kitchen lines to garden houses and saunas, these objects make adding detail and realism to your projects easy. You can also create your own catalog directories and use them directly in the software, customizing your designs to fit your unique vision.

With more than 20 million users, this software provides all the tools you need to help bring your vision to life.

Get a lifetime license to Ashampoo 3D CAD Professional 11 now and pay just $39.99 (reg. $330) for a limited time.

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Most companies have some form of dedicated IT management. According to a workforce survey, the common IT to non-technical staff ratio is typically around 4% of all personnel.

These IT individuals and departments often need to communicate with the other staffers throughout a company. From basic day-to-day activities to long-term collaborations, meeting deadlines and maintaining security, it’s important that the relationship between IT and the non-technical workforce is not just existent but effective.

If you’re aware of a lack of quality in your IT-related inter-departmental collaborations, here are four ways to enhance communication and build better professional relationships between technical and non-technical teams.

1. Establish and promote healthy communication

Communication cannot be overlooked in any business setting. As the workforce becomes more geographically diversified by distance and time zones, it’s important to maintain communication, not just with teams but between departments. This is ground zero, especially in an isolated area like IT.

One way to enhance communication is through regular cross-team meetings. Many companies hold recurring meetings where everyone comes together to hear company-wide updates and generally realign themselves. If the thought of a full company meeting sounds like a mammoth, intimidating and time-sucking use of resources, never fear. There are multiple ways you can implement this concept efficiently.

For instance, Zappos holds its well-known all-hands meetings three times a year. Spacing out these larger communal moments helps make them special.

If meeting is a problem in any quantity, you can go a different route: pre-recorded messages. If you choose this option, though, be warned that simple video messaging can become just as confusing and lengthy as a meeting. Instead, look for tools that help you send purposeful, value-centered messages.

Marketing platform Drift, for instance, used the communications tool Zight to improve its internal communication. The company used screen recorder technology to send annotated, knowledge-based videos to their employees. This organized and enhanced the purpose of each message, making it easier to reference later on without rewatching the entire thing.

The takeaway? Invest in some form of healthy cross-departmental communication that fits with your workflow.

Related: Effective Communication Is Vital in Today’s Diverse Workforce. Here’s How to Make Sure Your Message Is Clear.

2. Use jargon-free language

Removing jargon and technical terms from basic inter-departmental communication starts at the top. IT leaders must demonstrate how to remove dense language when talking, recording, typing and otherwise engaging with coworkers.

This isn’t just because leading by example is effective. It’s also because workplace jargon often finds its largest adherents in the upper echelons of a business. One study from MyPerfectResume found that 33% of those asked considered upper management to be the most likely to overuse workplace jargon.

Even worse? A third of those asked had also used jargon that they didn’t even understand. Use jargon-free language. It keeps communication transparent and avoids peer pressure and embarrassment from undermining effective understanding between IT and other teams.

Related: Here’s Why You Absolutely Have to Stop Using Jargon at Work

3. Bridge knowledge gaps with cross-functional training

Specialization and niche knowledge are defining factors for IT teams. Tech workers’ value comes from their ability to bridge the gap between humans and machines. However, this expertise isn’t as effective if the communication gap between IT staff and other personnel widens too far.

One way to keep all staff on the same playing field is to engage in cross-functional training. This is the process of educating employees from various departments in disciplines that are complementary to their own focus. It emphasizes shared knowledge and helps teams both respect and understand their respective duties in the larger context of business operations.

Google has mastered the art of cross-departmental training. On the one hand, the company famously used its whisper courses — a series of micro-lessons in email form — to teach small teamwork lessons. In addition, the search engine giant encourages employee-to-employee training. This shares knowledge in a peer-to-peer fashion and maintains a culture of learning.

Again, the takeaway here is that you don’t have to follow a formula for cross-departmental training. Find something that works for your setup, and then invest in it.

4. Cultivate a culture of inclusivity

Inclusivity is a common workplace culture goal. It emphasizes making all members of a workforce feel welcome. It seeks to embrace gender, age and other demographic differences and to incorporate the strengths of each individual and team into a company’s operations.

This is a powerful way to keep IT and non-technical personnel connected and respectful of one another’s contributions. As a central focus of how a company operates, an emphasis on empathy and respect helps keep those all-important communication channels open and healthy.

No company has demonstrated genuine, effective inclusivity in business activity quite as well as Pixar. The media company is famous for its ability to develop high-quality ideas and, at the same time, make sure everyone feels welcome and part of the conversation.

The company’s “Notes Days” are a poignant example. These are days when the entire company shuts down and comes together to collectively brainstorm. The result is some of the best inter-departmental collaboration in modern history.

If you want your tech and non-tech teams to connect, make them feel included.

Related: How to Build an Inclusive Culture That Permeates All Levels of the Organization

Breaking down barriers between IT and the rest of the professional work world

The IT department has become an integral part of most modern businesses. But it cannot operate in a vacuum. Miscommunications can lead to confused expectations, missed deadlines and even compromised safety and security.

It’s essential that leaders make an effort to align their IT and non-technical teams. This keeps everyone informed and up-to-date as you work together to achieve the same goal as a business.

Reddit grew for nearly two decades before going public in March at around a $6.5 billion valuation. Though the social media forum site now boasts 91 million daily active users, its success was not a certainty. In fact, Reddit’s co-founders were rejected by startup accelerator Y Combinator at the start of their entrepreneurial journey.

“So, Alexis [Ohanian], my co-founder, college roommate at the time, he and I applied to Y Combinator,” Reddit CEO Steve Huffman told LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman on Thursday. Their initial idea was to create a way to order food from cell phones — which wasn’t the norm in 2005.

Y Combinator rejected the idea but asked Ohanian and Huffman, who were 22 and 21 years old at the time, to work on something else. They came up with Reddit, which Y Combinator funded with a $12,000 check.

The idea for Reddit came about from two websites: Delicious and Slashdot. Delicious was a website that let users store and share bookmarks; Yahoo acquired it in 2007. Slashdot.org still exists as a social news site covering science and tech news; Reddit’s co-founders were drawn to the community it had but wanted to expand beyond tech.

Reddit “was kind of a Delicious plus Slashdot, but make both of them better,” Huffman said. “Honestly, I think that’s pretty much what we built. But for 19 years, we’ve been iterating on this and tweaking it, and kind of following our users and adding features.”

Related: ‘A Huge Opportunity:’ Reddit CEO Aims to Bring AI to 1 Billion Reddit Searches

For example, Huffman pointed out that Reddit’s “most important feature,” or the power it gives users to create their own communities, was introduced three years after launch.

^{Reddit CEO Steve Huffman. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images}

Since going public, Reddit has posted earnings that beat expectations for two consecutive quarters. The company inked AI licensing deals with Google and OpenAI earlier this year, allowing Google’s Gemini AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT to use Reddit posts in their training data.

Huffman said there is “a tremendous amount of opportunity” with AI.

“I’m very proud that Reddit has played a role in the development of these technologies,” he said.

Related: Reddit Traffic Nearly Triples in 8 Months, Posts Rise to the Top of Google Search