Technology startups have helped change the world, but that success has come at a price. Prioritizing growth above all else has led to a tech culture all too often lacking in diversity, empathy, and compassion.

As the Drupal project and community have grown and matured over the last few years, so has the pressure on the Drupal business ecosystem to prioritize growth. Not only has the demand for Drupal goods and services has increased, but industry consolidation and the entry of new players into the ecosystem has dramatically changed the landscape for how Drupal-centric businesses position themselves in the marketplace. 

In this session, we'll take a look at the evolution of the Drupal project and community, the challenges posed by rapid and dramatic changes in the Drupal business ecosystem, and what lessons we can learn from looking at the values and practices of some of the world’s most enduring companies.

Drawing upon 20 years of experience in the Web industry and my personal background as the product of generations of family entrepreneurs, we’ll explore the benefits of business models that are based on sustainability rather than growth. Putting long-term performance over short-term gains enables companies to put employees and customers first, instead of shareholders and investors. They can remain committed to their core principles, while retaining the flexibility needed to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.

The goal of this session is to provide those who are involved in running Drupal-centric businesses with the tools and perspective necessary to evolve as business conditions require and to build companies that will stand the test of time.