Executive Guidance
Offering insights from Toptal’s key industry and consulting executives, the Executive Guidance blog is a hub for in-depth analysis of trends, strategies, and technologies that can help business leaders gain a competitive edge.
Elevating Developer Experience in Cloud Computing: A Strategic Guide for Organizational Leaders
Propel your company’s cloud technology with a superior DevEx strategy. Toptal’s Cloud Services Practice Lead explains how to achieve faster delivery of services and increased user satisfaction.
TJ Urglavitch
TJ has more than a decade of leadership experience in the hosting and cloud services industry and guides clients through the complexities of cloud computing adoption and transformation. He holds a degree in accounting from Delaware County Community College and accreditations for both Scrum and the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).
Choosing an AI Tool Set for Content Personalization
Today’s marketing teams are expected to provide personalized experiences. Discover how to meet customer demand with the latest developments in AI content personalization from Toptal’s Growth Marketing Practice Lead Jeff Gangemi.
Jeff Gangemi
Jeff is the Growth Marketing Practice Lead at Toptal. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and an MBA from Cornell University with an emphasis in leadership and innovation. Jeff has spent the past 15 years building demand generation, content marketing, and digital programs that drive meaningful transformation and growth for both internal teams and external clients. Before joining Toptal, he held senior management roles at Accenture Song, Material, and Telus International.
The Business Value of Design on Your Organization’s Bottom Line
Design is a critical driver of innovation, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage. Sara Kahlau, a leader in digital customer experience, explores design’s far-reaching business value.
Sara Kahlau
Sara Kahlau is a leader in digital customer experience with a background in strategy consulting at Booz & Company (now Strategy&) and Toptal. She has worked with PwC and L’Oréal Groupe and held execution-focused CXO roles across several industries. She has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Technology Sydney, where she double-majored in marketing communications and management.
Assessing the Business Value of New AI Initiatives: A Strategic Framework
Some AI initiatives cut costs and drive innovation—others waste company resources without much ROI. Toptal’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Practice Lead describes an effective framework for evaluating whether an AI project can deliver tangible, hard-hitting value.
Chas Stikeleather
Chas is the Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Practice Lead at Toptal. Before joining Toptal, he spent much of his career in management consulting at Bain & Company, helping Fortune 500 companies, private equity firms, and SMBs across industries get the most out of their data. Chas holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stetson University and a master’s degree in analytics from North Carolina State University.
3 Cybersecurity Archetypes and How They Affect Risk Priorities and Staffing
Is your organization an Operator, a Builder, or a Governor? Toptal’s Information Security Practice Lead, Michael Figueroa, reveals how this knowledge helps CISOs fine-tune their security teams and tactics.
Michael Figueroa
Michael is the Information Security Practice Lead at Toptal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in brain and cognitive sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in high-tech crime investigations from George Washington University. Before joining Toptal, Michael served as executive director of the Advanced Cyber Security Center, and held other roles in the field, including consultant, principal investigator, advisor to government officials, and chief information security officer.
The Future of B2B Marketing: Consumerization and the Amazon Effect
Today’s business customers expect sophisticated and personalized buying journeys. Jeff Gangemi, Toptal’s Growth and Digital Marketing Practice Lead, explains how firms must leverage robust martech and data-savvy talent to meet the moment.
Jeff Gangemi
Jeff is the Digital and Growth Marketing Practice Lead at Toptal. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and an MBA from Cornell University with an emphasis in leadership and innovation. Jeff has spent the past 15 years building demand generation, content marketing, and digital programs that drive meaningful transformation and growth for both internal teams and external clients. Before joining Toptal, he held senior management roles at Accenture Song, Material, and Telus International.
Does DTC Have a Future in the CPG Industry?
From accelerating innovation to enhancing consumer connections, DTC could reshape CPG. A leader in digital customer experience Sara Kahlau and DTC Sales Lead Brennan Shanks explore strategies for revolutionizing consumer engagement and driving brand growth.
Sara Kahlau
Sara Kahlau is a leader in digital customer experience with a background in strategy consulting at Booz & Company (now Strategy&) and Toptal. She has worked with PwC and L’Oréal Groupe and held execution-focused CXO roles across several industries. She has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Technology Sydney, where she double-majored in marketing communications and management.
Solving the Cybersecurity Talent Shortage: Avoid These Common Pitfalls
Security professionals are not as inaccessible as the headlines claim. Toptal’s Information Security Practice Lead explains new ways to engage the professionals you need.
Michael Figueroa
Michael is the Information Security Practice Lead at Toptal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in brain and cognitive sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in high-tech crime investigations from George Washington University. Before joining Toptal, Michael served as executive director of the Advanced Cyber Security Center, and held other roles in the field, including consultant, principal investigator, advisor to government officials, and chief information security officer.
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