Only connect: Intuit Mailchimp’s CMO on teamwork, growth and creativity

The buzz around emerging technologies like AI continues to dominate marketing conversations. But, for Michelle Taite, CMO at email marketing platform Intuit Mailchimp, the key to successful marketing isn’t found in the latest tech tools but in fostering genuine human connections.

“We talk a lot about AI, but I really believe marketers’ core job is to connect,” Taite says. The focus should not only be on reaching customers but on helping brands form deeper, more meaningful connections with them. She spoke to Francesca Cassidy about why this philosophy shapes every aspect of Taite’s work at Mailchimp - from the campaigns her team creates to the talent she recruits. Read more.

Can a no-direct-message policy improve workplace transparency?

Workplace communication platforms, such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, have funnelled discussions between colleagues away from email and into the direct message (DM) inbox. But one company believes the reliance on DMs presents a problem.?

PhotoRoom, an AI photo-editing app, has implemented a no-DM policy to encourage greater cross-team collaboration. “If you’re in an office, you can walk up to a bank of desks and choose to listen to people’s conversations, ask questions and share your opinion,” says Mikael Nilsson ?? , head of people at PhotoRoom. “That’s what we wanted to replicate by opening up all the Slack channels and team conversations.”??

So, asks Sam Forsdick , can a no-DM policy foster greater communication and improve workplace transparency??Read more.

Why these big companies are expanding AI training to all employees

Ikea might not be the first company that springs to mind when you think about digital transformation – especially a large-scale initiative such as educating employees on generative AI. But in April the furniture giant announced a plan to provide AI literacy training to around 30,000 workers and 500?managers.?

The programme offers a range of learning materials for understanding and using AI. It has already surpassed internal expectations. Training has been offered to some 40,000 employees (out of roughly 165,000 in total) through August, according to figures from the?company.?Read more to find out why Ikea isn't alone in this endeavour.

More from the business world

• Is your company suffering from reinvention stress?
• Business can be a force for good, but we need to change the system, says Chris Turner
• Watching you, watching me – what people think about employee monitoring tech