We’re just about ready to close the book on 2018, but before we do, we want to shine a spotlight on some stories from the past year we think you’ll love. These hand-selected stories were some of our most-read pieces of 2018 and include everything from the year’s biggest breaking news to powerful and insightful interviews with female tech leaders. Continue below to see our top 10 stories of the year.
This former Salesforce leader is building a new 80-person sales team in Chicago
Maropost SVP of Sales Dustin Deno has had a busy few months. The former Salesforce executive was hired by the Toronto-based marketing and sales technology company to lead its global sales team and build out its newly opened Chicago office. Deno said Maropost chose Chicago because of the city’s wealth of tech sales talent. We’d say that was the right call.
How BenchPrep went from side hustle to fast-growing e-learning company
BenchPrep began life as an app to help students better prepare for the GMAT. Fast forward almost 10 years later and BenchPrep is one of Chicago’s fastest-growing e-learning companies. Founders In this story, Ashish Rangnekar and Ujjwal Gupta give us the inside scoop on how they went from selling a $9.99 app to operating a platform that reaches over 3 million learners.
Beyond buzzwords: How 6 local tech companies promote work-life balance
Talking about work-life balance is easy, but how do you go beyond the buzzwords and ensure employees are able to disconnect and enjoy life outside the office? Flexible working hours, unlimited vacation policies and cultures built around caring and teamwork all help, as we learned when we asked local tech companies how they encourage a positive work-life balance.
7 Chicago tech companies dish on the best perks they offer
When you love what you do, work doesn’t feel like work. When you love what you do and your company offers great perks, well, then everything is a bit more awesome. In this piece we asked seven Chicago tech companies about the perks they’re particularly proud to offer, along with how employees play a part in shaping the benefits they get. Spoiler alert: Not one company said “cold brew coffee.”
Google reportedly considering Chicago for new office that could create up to 5,000 jobs
Back in January, Crain’s reported that Chicago was on the shortlist of cities for a new Google operations center that could house up to 5,000 workers. While the new operations center never came to pass, the company did end up expanding its footprint in the city. In October, the Chicago Tribune reported, and the company confirmed, that Google leased an additional 132,000 square feet of space in a 12-story office building.
Take a sneak peek at 7 of Chicago’s sleekest tech offices
It’s hard to avoid office envy in Chicago. The city is filled with awesome tech company offices that feature everything from batting cages and rooftop decks to emoji-themed conference rooms. Here we explored seven of Chicago’s best-looking — and some of its newest — tech offices and learned more about what inspired their designs.
From day one: How 6 Chicago companies set new hires up for success
The onboarding process is oftentimes a person’s first exposure to the culture and values of their new company. For many companies, that means more goes into the onboarding process than ensuring a new hire’s email is working and that they have a bunch of swag on their desk. We spoke with six Chicago tech companies to learn more about how they get new hires up-to-speed and what makes day one at the office unique and memorable.
Bring your whole self: How 9 Chicago tech companies are building more inclusive workplaces
It’s no secret that many tech companies struggle with creating diverse and inclusive workplaces. However, that doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made. Leaders at nine Chicago tech companies shared how their companies are working to build more inclusive workplaces, along with how these efforts are making a positive impact on their cultures and businesses.
Salesforce could bring 5,000 new tech jobs to Chicago with a massive downtown office
Back in August, Crain’s reported that Salesforce wanted to significantly expand its presence in Chicago by about 500,000 square feet and 5,000 new hires. Three months later the company announced Salesforce Tower Chicago, a 57-story tower located just southwest of the Merchandise Mart. The new skyscraper will be home to 1,000 Salesforce employees and will serve as the company’s regional headquarters.
Be you, unapologetically: Advice from 12 women leading teams in Chicago tech
“Do not stay in your comfort zone.”
“Follow your passion.”
“Know your value and don’t hesitate to represent yourself and ask for what you deserve.”
This is just a small sampling of the advice 12 female leaders at Chicago technology companies offered to women interested in breaking into, and building a career in, the tech industry. In addition to advice, these leaders also shared how they got into tech and how their companies are working to address the industry’s glaring gender gap. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this story.
