With more than 1 billion users in 200 countries worldwide, LinkedIn is currently the largest professional networking platform. So, whether for professional networking or job search purposes, it’s more important than ever to customize and optimize your LinkedIn profile. Similar to advertising, visitors to your profile page will likely spend just a few precious seconds to form an opinion, so it’s imperative that everything is clear, concise and on-message. Fortunately, LinkedIn has a robust feature set that enables a lot of customization. Unfortunately, many on the platform overlook key parts of their profile, in some cases not including them at all and often not optimizing what’s there.

As you craft your LinkedIn profile, the fundamental objective to keep in mind is that you want to clearly articulate four things in a concise and quick-to-digest manner: who you are, what you are doing professionally, what you have done and what you are looking for — especially for those who are job hunting. You should remove anything that does not contribute to any of these points.

Related: Learn How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile and Score Your Dream Job

Below are six key considerations and configurations in terms of optimizing your LinkedIn profile:

1. Your profile image

When you see a person’s profile on LinkedIn, at the very top is a background cover image. It’s shocking how often that critical piece of real estate is left blank. It’s easy to customize, so be sure to upload a cover. Anything is better than nothing, but I strongly encourage you to make the most of that space; don’t simply put a solid image or pattern there. Take advantage of that key spot by selecting an image that provides some sense of understanding and, ideally, even validation for you (check out mine, for example, showing an interview taking place) or, at the very least, conveys some kind of feeling about something important to you.

2. Get a verified checkmark

Below the cover photo, you want a verification check next to your name. This is a free service from LinkedIn and ensures potential employers and partners (as well as recruiters for those job hunting) that you are who you say you are. Fraudulent profiles are frequently created, so this verification gives your visitors additional confidence that your profile is legitimate. If you don’t currently have your profile verified, find a way to verify if possible (or the next time you can, do it; it’s important for the future, even if you cannot have it now). Understandably, you may have privacy concerns, and those same privacy concerns are, in reality, relevant to everything you do online via your desktop and mobile phone. Just keep in mind this is a vital verification for your career.

3. Craft your headline

Almost everyone on the platform has a headline entered. Many of them badly need improvement. This is a small amount of space to communicate some highly critical information. Avoid any extra words that don’t contribute to your definition. Avoid using lots of symbols. Avoid using broad, general language. Be concise, be specific and use this spot to clearly convey what you are, do, and/or want.

4. Showcase your work on your “personal billboard”

LinkedIn has a featured section you can add, yet many people don’t use it at all. Featured items can include posts, newsletters, articles, links, media or spotlighted content from your profile. You also can sort the list, which is essential as visitors will typically only see the first two to four of your featured items (depending on the viewing platform) without scrolling.

5. List your skills — and endorse your colleagues’ skills

LinkedIn allows you to list your top skills, and others can endorse you for those individual skills. Often, people have 50-plus skills associated with their profile and endorsements on some number of them. Are you aware that visitors to your profile page only see the top two in the list (unless they click to see more, which most don’t)? And, did you know that you have the ability to sort the list? Be sure to sort your skills so that the top two reflect the most important things a business partner or potential employer would want to see.

Related: Learn How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile and Score Your Dream Job

6. Showcase your experiences

Of vital importance is your experiences section, where you list out each of the companies you have worked for. The first mistake people make is using the description to describe the company. Think of this page as your CV; this space is where you should describe your role at the company. A line or two about the company is fine, of course, but consider also using bullets to highlight critical functions and accomplishments you’ve made while working there. This is especially important for your most recent experience or last couple if the most recent is a short duration. Often overlooked is that you can associate skills with each experience definition. You can also add media, such as press releases, white papers, interviews or other media related to your involvement with that company.

Incidentally, if you happen to subscribe to LinkedIn Sales Navigator, there is a tool available on the platform called the “Social Selling Index,” which measures your social selling efforts. This tool assesses your overall brand, relationships, people and insights. The brand portion of your index relates to your profile.

Some say LinkedIn is the CV replacement. I wouldn’t necessarily go that far, but it is unquestionably a vital professional tool for networking and worthwhile your time to configure and optimize. In some cases, it literally is used in place of a resume. In some cases, you’ll never make it to even being asked for your resume unless your LinkedIn page tells the right story up front. I encourage you to explore every section, try every configuration, arrange each arrangeable list to highlight what’s most important and be thoughtful with the images you use.

I never considered the importance of app accessibility until I found myself struggling to zoom in on every app I was using. Whether I was reading the fine print in my banking app or verifying my identity for a flight, the lack of accessible design was a constant frustration.

This personal experience reassured me of the critical nature of user interface and user experience. I started investigating how we can improve our customers’ journeys during the identity verification process.

Mobile applications now allow users to check in for a flight, access a bank account, apply for a visa, and much more. The user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) determine the smoothness of these processes.

Although UI and UX are crucial, they still need improvement, especially in identity verification. Enhancing these aspects is essential for businesses aiming to optimize user experience and operational efficiency.

The remote identity verification (IDV) process now serves as the starting point for many critical activities, making it essential that these systems — from completing financial transactions to interacting with government services – are accessible to everyone.

Remote verification from home helps people with special needs stay involved in many activities. However, this is only achievable if the interface and design of IDV systems are truly inclusive. What does it mean in practice?

Related: How to Navigate the Digital Identity Landscape

Working with customer frustration

A poor identity-proofing experience can significantly heighten customer frustration, leading to abandonment. It’s intuitive: prolonged, complex verification processes that demand extensive user engagement are more likely to discourage participation.

This is reflected in both business and customer expectations from IDV processes. According to Regula’s survey, 28% of respondents that represent digital nomads, people who deal with probably the most versatile range of various ID verification procedures, experience frustration because of poorly designed user interfaces. At the same time, every third company participating in the survey prioritizes a user-friendly interface and clear instructions in their IDV workflows.

Related: 7 Ways All Dating Apps Are Lying To You

What can be done right now

Everything, from UI’s logic and usability to the speed of response, as well as the choice of fonts and colors, significantly impacts the user’s perception and their willingness to continue using the solution.

As an IDV vendor, we’ve tried different approaches to creating an inclusive interface. Over time, as we got feedback from our customers and started to understand use cases better, we’ve come to pinpoint key principles that we adhere to in our solutions:

• Stick to minimal clutter. Keep the interface clean and straightforward, and refrain from adding too many elements, long instructions, tiny icons, etc. Nothing should overwhelm or confuse users.
• Consider color perception. People see colors differently, and some can’t differentiate them at all. So, it’s vital to ensure that essential cues are not color-dependent alone. Use geometric shapes or other indicators alongside colors to convey information.
• Rely on other sense organs, too. Activate tactile feedback, such as vibrations, or auditory signals, like jingles, to confirm user actions. This is crucial for providing reassurance and guiding users through the process.
• Don’t prioritize text over visuals and vice versa. There are always those who prefer text instructions and those who prefer images. The split is around 50-50, as we got it from our experience. Therefore, it is important to incorporate both text and visual support.
• Make the interface adapt to user settings. Always. For example, if a person has increased the font size in their phone settings, the IDV application should automatically display the text in the same larger size.

Ideally, IDV solutions should not need any instructions at all. The interface should be intuitively clear, and every step of the identity verification process should be smooth, logical, and instantly recognizable. However, if an instruction is required and it’s rather elaborate, it’s better to split it into several consecutive screens rather than fitting everything into one screen in a small font.

Ultimately, implementing automation in the ID verification process significantly enhances everyone’s user experience by simplifying complex steps and reducing the need for manual input. For example, automated document scanning and optical character recognition (OCR) simplify data extraction from identity documents, reducing the need for manual input. Facial recognition technology further streamlines the process by matching a user’s face with their ID photo. Automated error detection and real-time feedback help prevent and correct mistakes, while integration with existing databases enables quick validation of information. These advancements collectively make the ID verification process more accessible and less intimidating for those who may not be as tech-savvy.

Related: Why Business Leaders Need to Learn About about Digital IDs

Benefits for business

One billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability. Making digital services, including IDV, accessible for them becomes a legal and ethical obligation for companies, and there are already policies that regulate web or mobile accessibility.

However, caring about accessibility in IDV also expands market opportunities for businesses and enhances the user experience for everyone. Designed to include users with various needs, from visual impairments to cognitive disabilities, online IDV systems provide numerous benefits that extend beyond accessibility.

First and foremost, such well-planned, inclusive interfaces broaden audience reach by creating equal access to IDV for everyone. Consequently, businesses benefit from greater market differentiation, attracting new customers.

Secondly, simplifying navigation, providing clear instructions and making it possible to adjust settings easily create a more straightforward, frictionless and enjoyable user experience, with minimum frustrations and errors during critical IDV steps. As a result, users tend to demonstrate higher trust and loyalty to the brand as they feel that their needs and preferences are considered.

Finally, by focusing on designing accessible and user-centric interfaces, businesses are inevitably encouraged to foster continuous improvement and innovation. Such companies become more agile in adapting to user feedback and evolving needs, which results in better products and services.

Inclusive UI on brand

Let’s not forget that IDV solutions are rarely used standalone (if it’s not a case of border crossing, of course). Now that so many services are done digitally, IDV has become an integral part of a wide range of scenarios, from banking to flight check-in to e-marketplaces and so on. In terms of interface, this means that an IDV vendor should make efforts to align with the UI requirements of a business that employs their solution.

IDV vendors should be flexible about modifying graphics and text elements and incorporating customer branding within the camera view interface used for ID verification, maintaining consistency with their brand identity and enhancing user familiarity. For those preferring a default UI, options should exist to customize basic elements such as colors and fonts.

Additionally, a solution that supports localization in multiple languages simplifies global deployment, making identity verification more accessible and convenient for users worldwide. As technology and user expectations evolve, ongoing refinement of these solutions may ensure that identity verification remains efficient and reliable across various applications.

Jersey Mike’s, the fast-growing sandwich chain that ranked #2 in the 2024 Franchise 500, has embarked on its first major international expansion, marking a significant milestone in its history. The company, which began with one location at the Jersey Shore in 1956, has been steadily growing its footprint across the U.S. and is now setting its sights on Canada, where it plans to open 300 new locations over the next several years.

“The opportunities are there,” Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro told Entrepreneur in January while insisting the company’s philosophy won’t change. “We’ll expand internationally, but it’s got to be with the right groups, the right people.”

Jersey Mike’s chose Redberry Restaurants, a master franchisor that also owns Burger King and Taco Bell locations in Canada, to lead its expansion north of the border.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

The decision to enter the Canadian market comes as Jersey Mike’s continues to see strong growth domestically — the brand has opened 1,000 new stores in the past five years. The Canadian expansion represents the next logical step for Jersey Mike’s, which has become a dominant player in the U.S. fast-casual dining space.

In addition to the international expansion, Cancro told Entrepreneur the company plans to open 1,000 additional stores in the U.S. over the next three years, with an eventual goal of 10,000 overall locations. However, the CEO was adamant about keeping the company’s expansion at 13% to 15% unit growth per year.

Related: How Entrepreneur Ranked This Year’s Franchise 500, and the Big Trends We Saw

“You don’t want to open up so many stores you’ll start closing them,” he told Entrepreneur. To bolster this steady growth, the company built an infrastructure of area managers to work in the field with franchisees from the time they open. “There’s a lot of weeks we’ll open 15 stores, and 1725269362 it’s not an issue or problem.”

Expanding into Canada also reflects the growing demand for Jersey Mike’s unique product offering. The brand has built a loyal customer base in the U.S. by offering a higher-quality alternative to traditional fast food. Jersey Mike’s emphasis on community involvement, including its annual Month of Giving, has further made it one of the most popular sub chains in the country.

Related: Don’t Have Time to Start a Business? This Doctor, Lawyer and Now Part-Time Franchisee Would Disagree.

Read More: QSR Magazine

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

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