Tech Community Building

#Diversity in high-tech fields remains critically low. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently reported that #Black and #Latino professionals are underrepresented in high-tech roles, especially in leadership. These numbers highlight ongoing structural barriers in hiring, promotion and retention. This gap is a missed opportunity to tap into a wealth of diverse talent and perspectives essential to the future of tech. However, addressing and thoroughly fixing these challenges will require time, consistent effort and a long-term commitment to systemic change. Companies can support the progression of representation in tech by investing in training, mentorship and internship opportunities that open doors for people who were historically shut out. Programs like internXL, a platform that is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the internship hiring process for top companies, are making a significant impact. Similarly, the expansion of STEM education at institutions like Cornell University is helping to connect talented young people from underrepresented communities with opportunities for high-tech careers. When we work together to remove these barriers, we’re fostering a more inclusive workforce and strengthening innovation, problem-solving and leadership in the industry. Let’s build a tech future that reflects the diversity of our society. https://bit.ly/3UNtOCh

We’ve all seen how quickly a single moment on social media can spiral. One tone-deaf comment, one AI-generated response that misses the mark, or just a slow internal handoff and suddenly, your brand is trending for all the wrong reasons. When I started building our AI-First Mindset™ transformation program, I knew we couldn’t just focus on opportunity. We also had to prepare leaders for risk and that includes public-facing crises fueled by speed and automation. That’s why I developed a new module focused on building a social media crisis management plan designed for today’s AI-powered workplace. We cover the essentials: • How to build a clear, flexible crisis communication plan • The best crisis management tools to monitor and respond in real time • How to define team roles across marketing, legal, leadership and tech • And how to account for AI-powered systems that can escalate issues if not handled properly In a world where content and backlash move at machine speed, your people need clarity. That starts with a plan that’s actually usable and practiced before the pressure hits. This isn’t about fear. It’s about preparation. AI adoption comes with incredible potential, but it also changes how we manage trust. A good crisis response needs to e part of your broader AI change management strategy. If your team is using AI but hasn’t revisited your crisis plan, now’s the time. Stay tuned for practical guidance on creating crisis plans that perform under pressure. #DigitalCrisisStrategy #CrisisCommunication #CrisisResponse #DigitalCrisis #SocialMediaCrisis

I do dozens of interviews with top CMOs every year. I always ask what the best performing marketing channel is. And right now everyone is saying events. Post COVID events are back, but also now in an AI world, I think there's a stronger appetite to get out and connect with real people vs. just getting answers from ChatGPT. But: like anything in marketing, running events just because everyone else is doing them is a great way to set money on fire (and still not drive any incremental business). Whether it's a booth at a trade show. A VIP dinner. A 500-person conference. They can all work. They can all flop. The difference: having a real plan and strategy for that event going in. Why do it in the first place? (which continues to be the most important lesson in marketing - what's in it for me? what's the hook? why should people come to our thing?) We talked to two event experts on the Exit Five pod recently Stephanie Christensen and Kristina DeBrito — and here are 5 keys they shared for B2B event success: 1. Pick the right format. Not all events do the same job. Big splash? Go flagship. Want pipeline? Try VIP roundtables. Tiny budget? Host micro-events around existing conferences. Set real goals. 2. “Leads” are not enough anymore. Are you driving awareness? Accelerating deals? Generating pipeline? Define this upfront—or you’ll waste time measuring the wrong stuff. There are more metrics than just "did we get leads from this event" and in today's world leads are tablestalkes. 3. Align your team, bro. Sales and marketing must move in lockstep. Slack alerts for registrations. Sales meeting updates. Leaderboards. It all matters. This is a team effort. 4. Make it memorable. People forget panels. They remember custom pancakes and great venues. Was the food good? Did the WiFi work? Did Oprah show up? Just kidding. Making sure you'r reading. But think surprise and delight, not branded frisbees. 5. Put the work in on the follow up. Events don't close deals - follow-up does. Segment attendees. Create custom offers. Babysit the handoff to sales like your job depends on it. Because it does. You just went shopping and got all these fresh groceries - dont let them spoil. B2B buyers want real connection again. Events can create that. Are you feeling this desire for events? Are you doing events in your business right now? Let me know...

Innovation knows no gender. Reflecting on my journey as an engineer over the past 25 years, from stepping into the workforce to witnessing the remarkable strides women have made today, I am struck by both the progress achieved and the many challenges that persist. When I started my career in the late 90s, women engineers were a handful and today, I'm heartened to see more women not only entering the field but also pioneering innovations and driving meaningful change. ➡️ However, looking at the numbers, in 2023, men outnumbered women in global engineering by 86.3% to 13.7%. And despite the demand for tech skills, women constitute only 28% of engineering graduates globally. In STEM fields, they make up 33% of researchers but hold just 12% of national science academy memberships. ➡️The leaky STEM pipeline begins early and persists over time. It is not just enough to keep feeding the pipeline by increasing the number of female students. It is imperative to work towards breaking gender stereotypes through early investment in reskilling and the promotion of STEM education. Apart from making STEM education more fun and engaging, introduction to female role models and mentors can help change stereotypical perceptions related to these subjects and inspire more girls to choose and work in the area. ➡️I see technology as an enabler here. Achieving equal representation of women in the tech industry requires a collaborative effort from organisations, academia, and government bodies. At the organisational level, tech firms should focus on creating supportive structures that not only attract but also retain and nurture female professionals. Flexible working policies, improved leave and well-being benefits, and support networks serve as key factors in promoting women in the workplace. Investing in training and mentorship programs is essential to equip high-potential women technologists with the necessary skills for leadership roles. Initiatives like involving female employees in the recruitment process, hosting career fairs, and offering internship programs can help organisations move towards a more gender-balanced workforce. The future of engineering is bright, and women are an integral part of that future. By continuing to support and celebrate women in engineering, we are investing in a world where innovation knows no gender, and where the contributions of all are valued and recognized. #InternationalWomenInEngineeringDay 🎉✨

The UK tech sector employs over 1.8M people, contributing billions to the economy and driving innovation. Yet, beneath the surface, we're facing a diversity crisis. Women currently make up just 21% of tech teams, with only 5% in leadership positions. Alarmingly, 1/3 of women in tech are considering leaving their roles due to limited career progression and an unsupportive work culture. This attrition isn't due to a lack of talent, but structural barriers and cultural biases that remain deeply embedded. Ethnic minorities face a similarly tough landscape, with representation dropping significantly at senior levels. We have to move beyond viewing diversity as a box-ticking exercise. Genuine inclusion means dismantling biases, embedding transparency, and holding ourselves accountable. For a truly equitable future, we must: • Create inclusive cultures with psychological safety • Ensure flexible work environments • Implement structured career progression and mentoring • Foster authentic role models • Hold leadership accountable with clear ED&I metrics I’ve been running businesses for 25+ years, and this has proved to be an indisputable fact: Diverse teams are more innovative, resilient, and powerful. The future of UK tech relies on making the tech ecosystem more diverse - so let's commit to making it happen. 📷 - quote by Grace Hopper, graphic by Words of Women

After managing hundreds (maybe thousands) of SEO campaigns… I've distilled content creation down to a science. Here are 6 core pillars that actually move the needle: 1. Smart Keyword Selection Search volume is a vanity metric. Focus on these factors instead: • Relevance to your business goals • Commercial intent signals • Click-through rate potential Pro tip: 60% of Google searches end without a click. Pick keywords where people actually click through to websites. 2. The Uniqueness Factor Google's drowning in AI-generated content. Your advantage? Being genuinely different. Here's how: • Conduct original research (even small studies work) • Share first-hand experience and opinions • Create fresh data sets • Build user-generated content around polarizing topics AI can't replicate human experience. Use that. 3. Perfect Intent Matching Want to rank? Match the format that's already working (while adding your unique spin). Simple process: • Search your target keyword • Study the top 3 results • Note the content format (list, guide, comparison) • Create something similar but better If Google shows informational content, don't try to rank commercial pages. Work with the algorithm, not against it. 4. Content Quality Standards Great content isn't about word count. It's about clarity and engagement: • Write like you're talking to one person • Use simple language (no jargon) • Break up text with headings and bullets • Add visuals that actually add value • Edit ruthlessly 5. Topic Authority Building One great page isn't enough. Build supporting content around your main topic: • Start with branded keywords (easiest wins) • Target competitor comparisons • Create problem-aware content • Build educational resources Each piece should link to others, creating a content hub that Google loves. 6. Technical Foundation All the great content in the world won't rank if your technical SEO is broken: • Page speed under 3 seconds • Mobile-first design • Proper URL structure • Internal linking strategy • Schema markup where relevant Stop pumping out random blog posts. Start building strategic content assets that serve your business goals. Every piece should either educate your audience or move them closer to becoming customers.

If your website isn’t driving engagement, attracting clients, or positioning you as a trusted authority, chances are it’s missing one thing: valuable content. A static website is just an online brochure - it sits there, waiting to be found. But when you add useful, well-researched content, it transforms into a powerful business development tool. Here’s how to do it right: 1. Build a Strategy That Works: Great content doesn’t happen by accident. Your plan should align with your audience’s needs, your expertise, and your resources (time, people, and budget). A content calendar keeps you consistent, so you’re always top of mind. 2. Prioritize Research-Driven Content: Opinion pieces can be interesting, but data-backed insights and original research build credibility. If you want your content to get shared, bookmarked, and cited, focus on providing real value such as new information, deep expertise, and actionable takeaways. 3. Use Multiple Formats to Reach More People: Not everyone consumes content the same way. Some people prefer in-depth articles, while others engage with videos, podcasts, or infographics. Repurpose your best ideas across different formats to maximize reach and impact. 4. Curate, But Add Your Expertise: Sharing industry news, expert interviews, and event takeaways is a smart way to add value—but don’t just repost. Layer in your own insights to make it meaningful for your audience. Thoughtful curation strengthens your brand as a go-to resource. 5. Never Publish Without Editing: Typos and unclear messaging can hurt your credibility. Take the extra step to review your work (or have someone else do it) before publishing. Professionalism matters. 6. Publish With Purpose: A great piece of content means nothing if no one sees it. Optimize your posts with search-friendly URLs, embed videos strategically, and make sure everything is easy to find. Then, share it where your audience is - on LinkedIn, in email newsletters, and beyond. Content builds trust, and trust leads to business. If your website isn’t actively helping you attract opportunities, it’s time to rethink your content approach. Done right, it can position you as the go-to expert in your industry. Let me know what you think of these tips in the comments below! #contentmarketing #personalbranding #legalmarketing #bestadvice

A ‘paint by numbers’ view of diversity has never sat well with me. I believe diversity is not static (or a statistic) - it is dynamic. Assembling a group of people who are ostensibly diverse is not a worthy end. It’s possibly not even a good beginning. It can sometimes be a half-arsed and tokenistic attempt to bandaid over a symptom, without doing the hard work of addressing the root cause of hegemony. I believe the ‘hard work’ of achieving diversity is in creating or modifying environments: building spaces and communities that are welcoming, fun, and non-judgemental. Making the tacit norms of a space legible - so it can be understood and navigated by newcomers and outsiders. Seeing and valuing people for the unique perspective and energy they bring. Recognising and dismantling the invisible forces that can make people feel alienated - from the use of jargon on a panel, to having alcohol be a central pillar at social gatherings. The work is long and unglamorous and incremental. It’s not an initiative you announce. It’s being the host who goes and talks to people standing on the side of the room by themselves. It’s back-channeling community members to make newcomers feel seen and welcome. It’s calling ahead to venues to make sure they can accomodate kosher and vegan and pregnancy dietary requirements. A recent initiative I’ve loved is ‘newbie friendly poker nights’ - spearheaded by 😱 Rayn and Sandra and supported by legends such as Mike, Sabrina, and Ada. At these events, there are dedicated tables for beginners to learn the rules and build pattern recognition muscle. It’s an initiative that’s encouraged many women in tech to try their hand at poker for the first time - and in doing so build the confidence to participate in a fantastic social activity that’s currently male dominated. Tl;dr - maybe diversity in action doesn't just look like panels that resemble the United Colours of Benneton. Maybe it looks like patiently dealing people in - and sorting out the side pots. #diversity #diversityandinclusion #poker

The One Metric I Trust Most on LinkedIn Over three years on LinkedIn, I’ve tracked every community metric I could: week to week, month to month, year over year. I’ve analyzed trends, looked for forward vs. lagging indicators, and tried to understand what truly drives growth. At first, I focused on top-line metrics - like impressions. Then engagements. But the best predictor of long-term success - the one metric I now trust most - is something few people even check: Members Reached (formerly Unique Impressions). If you go into your post analytics, LinkedIn shows you not just impressions but how many unique people saw your content. And I’ve found that growth in this number is the strongest signal that I’m on the right path. Why? Engagements fluctuate. A viral post, a trending topic, or a high-emotion moment can skew the numbers. Many people who value my content don’t engage. Senior professionals, in particular, often prefer to observe rather than publicly interact. Some folks just, increasingly, value anonymity and will discuss seeing my posts but never engage. Members Reached can’t be hidden. Unlike engagements, which depend on visible likes or comments, this metric quietly tracks how many real people are seeing what you share. Metrics should never drive your content - you should create what matters to you. But if you’re looking for a true measure of reach and impact, start paying attention to Members Reached. For me, it’s been the clearest predictor of whether the community will grow - or not - down the road.

What's the difference between mature and immature event strategy? *Note: This isn't about the number of events hosted or years of experience. 1. GOALS. Immature: Attendance numbers, registrations, ticket sales. Mature: Engagement quality, attendee satisfaction, and long-term relationship building. 2. FOCUS. Immature: One-off events with short-term hype. Mature: Integrated event series that build momentum over time. 3. EVENT PLANNING. Immature: - Trying to cram in every trendy gimmick or activity. - Switching plans reactively based on last-minute ideas. - Overloading the schedule with no clear purpose. - Scattered efforts with inconsistent execution. Mature: - Mastering a few key event formats designed for your audience. - Creating repeatable frameworks for planning and execution. - Consistent, purpose-driven events aligned with broader goals. 4. EVALUATING SUCCESS. Immature: Counting heads or social media mentions. Mature: - Measuring attendee feedback, behavior change, and downstream impact (e.g., loyalty or referrals). - Partnering with Marketing Ops to design an attribution model. 5. EVENT STRATEGY. Immature: - Focus on flashy promotion and filling seats. - Broad, undefined audience targeting. Mature: - Deep understanding of their ideal attendees. - Designing experiences that guide attendees through a meaningful journey. - Tapping partners for promotion and cost-sharing. 6. TOOLS & TECH. Immature: - Buying without trying. Failing to test the attendee experience. Most event platforms don't have a free trial motion. Accelevents does. - Duct taped together tools forcing attendees to have multiple accounts Mature: - Defining processes first, then selecting tools to enhance them. - Starting with lean, cost-effective solutions that scale with need. 7. TEAM COLLABORATION. Immature: Disconnected teams (e.g., marketing, logistics, content) working in silos with misaligned priorities. Mature: Teams aligned on shared objectives, with regular check-ins and joint planning sessions. 8. EVENT TEAM. Immature: - Hiring a large team with vague roles (e.g., “event coordinator”) and expecting instant results. - Throwing people at tasks without clear direction. Mature: - Communicating the goal of the event to every involved. - Starting with a small, focused team. - Building core event frameworks first. -------------- It comes down to this. Events are not just for "leads" Events are how you build trust. --- Mature event platforms run on Accelevents. Learn More --> https://hubs.la/Q03dHgb00 ---