Justin Rende

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If given the chance to start over, these are the moves seasoned entrepreneurs say they’d make to build their businesses differently today. Hindsight can be a powerful teacher, especially for entrepreneurs who’ve weathered the highs and lows of building a business from the ground up. From financial decisions and branding strategies to selecting the right partners and saying “no” sooner, many business leaders have learned what they’d do differently if they had the chance to start fresh. To that end, Fast Company Executive Board members reflect on those hard-earned lessons and share the changes they’d make if they were launching their companies today. Here's how they've used what they've learned as a valuable roadmap for building stronger, more resilient companies.

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For new leaders and entrepreneurs, success depends not just on innovation but on adaptability, resilience, and human connection. The modern marketplace is fast-moving, tech-driven, and constantly evolving. The business landscape looks a lot different than when today's top leaders first got their start, and the lessons they've learned along the way can help inform the leadership approaches of future executives and entrepreneurs. Below, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best advice for the next generation of business leaders. From embracing failure to building authentic relationships, these insights can help rising professionals lead with purpose and thrive in an ever-changing world.

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Looking to boost business with a client rewards program? Keep these factors in mind to ensure it's a success. Incentive and rewards programs can encourage repeat business from loyal customers. However, simply offering points or perks won't necessarily drive long-term loyalty. To have a real, lasting impact, your program needs to be thoughtfully designed around what truly motivates customers and delivers mutual value. With this in mind, the members of Fast Company Executive Board share key factors to consider when developing a client rewards program and why it's so critical to get these details right.

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Regardless of your industry, any company can benefit from forging deeper connections with its target audience. In a noisy digital world, engaging with your target audience online is the key to standing out and staying relevant. While different engagement tactics may work best for different industries, you can't go wrong by building strong relationships with the people who support your business. To help you do this, 20 members of Fast Company Executive Board share their most effective go-to engagement strategies and why engagement is so important. From leveraging employee voices to creating personalized experiences, these hands-on tactics have helped them build deeper connections and drive measurable growth.

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To truly protect their organizations, business leaders must shift their mindset from reacting to crises to anticipating and preventing them. 

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If your business reputation is lacking, consider the following factors to work on building it up. Executives are the face of their companies, and their presence in the market can influence everything from partnerships to consumer trust. But what happens if that presence is lacking?  Below, 10 business leaders of Fast Company Executive Board explain why market visibility is necessary and discuss key tips for other professionals looking to expand their business influence.

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Respect and communication are key to strengthening business relationships. In a tight economy and competitive marketplace, with consumers holding their pocketbooks closer and rethinking their spending habits, the last thing a brand wants to do is lose their trust due to a data privacy concern that slipped through the cracks. Complying with the state regarding privacy regulations and keeping clients informed about any changes or sudden breaches that may impact the information gathered is essential to earn their continued trust. To help marketing teams stay on the right course, 11 Fast Company Executive Board members each share one important factor every leader should know about customer data privacy for marketing outreach.

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Here’s how businesses can strengthen their vendor risk management practices and stay ahead of potential threats.

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Plan better in 2025 with these gift-giving suggestions that your staff can appreciate beyond any seasonal occasion. Whether your company is thriving in its industry or going through tough times, it makes a big difference to the success of your establishment when the right team is on board. Putting your trust in reliable talent who will always have your back is essential to helping a business grow and remain relevant. However, even the most loyal talent may doubt their commitment to the organization if they are not getting a return on their investment. Although the holiday season is the perfect time of year to celebrate your staff's dedication and achievements, it's more meaningful to communicate with your staff members authentically and regularly about the huge impact they have on your company's ability to operate. It's the thoughtfulness behind gift-giving that truly stands out. As the new year begins, 16 experts from Fast Company Executive Board each share one idea that will help elevate team morale and purpose beyond the holidays.

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10 key factors to nurture and develop a tech-savvy team in the digital workplace. As the world of technology continues to reinvent itself, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has become a fundamental component for any thriving business in the competitive marketplace. While automated software solutions are lightening employees' daily workloads, most professionals agree on the importance of finding a balance between human touch and technology.  However, oftentimes, there is resistance to change if staff members are uncomfortable or nervous about navigating a new system. To help leaders better equip their teams for what's to come in the future, 10 experts from Fast Company Executive Board weigh in on the essential skills or training every employee should have under their belt to work effectively with AI technology in 2025.

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Here is how to keep your organization and its employees safe from hackers. As the digital landscape continues to expand in the marketplace, having a company strategy to prevent costly cybersecurity threats is now a necessity—not a "nice to have." Getting your employees on board and up to speed starts by setting the best example from the top down to encourage your entire team to take the cybersecurity risk management procedures much more seriously. Here, 14 Fast Company Executive Board members provide their top solutions for setting their teams up for success and remaining updated about the latest phishing attacks and how to steer clear. With consistent training and the right mindset, your team will thank you in the long run for helping them stay well-prepared for what's to come.

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With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, it's crucial to identify and mitigate risks early.

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Discover expert strategies for fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive virtual culture in the era of AI and remote work. With the rise of AI and an increasing number of employees working remotely, maintaining human connection within your team has never been more critical. Although technology provides remarkable tools for efficiency and productivity, it also presents challenges in preserving the personal touch that drives team cohesion and morale. Below, 20Fast Company Executive Board members share their best tips for encouraging human connection in a digital-first workplace. These strategies can help you create meaningful connections, encourage collaboration, and build a supportive virtual culture.

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Ethics can be a powerful differentiator in the highly competitive field of cybersecurity.