Coders Should Develop Alternative Skills Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu Advises

In a candid conversation with the tech community, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu delivered thoughtful advice to software developers and coders. He encouraged them to rethink their career paths and build alternative skills beyond pure coding, especially as artificial intelligence and automation change how software work gets done.

Vembu’s perspective reflects both optimism and realism. He believes that while coding will remain valuable, developers who diversify their skills will have a stronger foundation in a rapidly evolving job landscape.

Why Vembu Is Recommending a Shift

According to Vembu, the traditional view that software developers will always command stable careers is shifting. Tools powered by artificial intelligence, low code platforms and automation frameworks are increasingly able to handle routine and repetitive tasks that once belonged to junior developers.

In this environment, Vembu says that focusing solely on writing code may not be enough to secure a long term, sustainable career. He encourages developers to think about multiple ways to earn, innovate, and add value.

Understand What AI Means for Coding Work

Artificial intelligence is changing how software is built. Many platforms now accelerate development, generate code snippets, optimize performance and diagnose issues. These tools are powerful and help coders be more productive, but they also reduce demand for basic programming tasks that can be automated.

Vembu’s advice is not a warning about job loss but a suggestion to stay ahead of the curve. Coders who can only deliver what machines can replicate may find themselves under pressure. Those who bring broader capabilities will thrive.

What Alternative Skills Mean in Practice

So what does Vembu mean by alternative skills? Here are some of the areas he highlights:

Business Insight and Strategy

Understanding how a product creates value and fits into the market helps developers become problem solvers rather than code writers.

Communication and Collaboration

Developers who can articulate ideas, negotiate designs, mentor teams, and shape product direction bring value that goes beyond code.

Product Thinking

Focusing on user experience, product features and real world impact makes a developer integral to business outcomes.

Design and UX

A grounding in design principles and user research can differentiate a technologist in competitive markets.

Operational Skills

Learning how technology systems function in production, integration strategies and infrastructure planning enriches a developer’s toolkit.

By expanding these capabilities, coders shift from task execution to multi dimensional creators.

Why This Matters Now

Vembu points to broader trends reshaping tech careers:

• Employers are adopting AI and automation to increase productivity
• Entry level software tasks are increasingly automated
• Clients and users want faster solutions with fewer resources
• Competition for traditional programming roles is rising

This does not mean that coding is obsolete. On the contrary, coding remains a core skill. But Vembu’s message is clear coding alone is no longer enough.

The Value of Alternative Income Streams

In his talks, Vembu also emphasized the importance of multiple pathways to earn. These can vary widely:

• Freelance consulting or advisory roles
• Startup ventures or small business initiatives
• Teaching, mentoring and coaching
• Open source projects that evolve into services
• Community based development or support roles

Multiple income strategies give developers flexibility and financial resilience.

A Broader View of Career Growth

Vembu’s perspective comes from decades of building a large successful tech company in India with global reach. His message resonates especially with young professionals who may be just starting their careers and can adapt early.

Instead of seeing coding as a destination, he encourages thinking of it as a foundation skill one that opens doors to deeper strategy, creativity, leadership and innovation.

Advice for the Next Generation of Developers

Here are key takeaways from Sridhar Vembu’s guidance:

• Focus on skills that machines cannot easily replicate
• Deepen your understanding of business and user needs
• Build relationships and learn to communicate ideas clearly
• Consider skills in design, operations and problem framing
• Explore alternative ways to generate income and value

This mindset helps developers remain relevant even when technologies change rapidly.