Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), play a key role in the economy, driving innovation, job creation and economic growth. Their importance is evidenced by the fact that they represent up to 99% of all companies in Europe and provide two thirds of the total number of employees in the private sector. The findings of numerous researches emphasize the importance of effective management practices, strategic planning, human resource management, incentive systems, leadership styles and lean management in the management of SMEs. These areas play a key role in improving productivity, performance, employee satisfaction and competitiveness in businesses. By adopting and applying these practices, SMEs can improve their overall management approach and achieve sustainable growth. Therefore, the importance of strategic management, innovation, leadership styles, talent management and metrics should not be ignored in the effective management of IT companies. This paper investigates management practices within Gauss, an IT company in Croatia. By analyzing the data and interviews, key management practices of Gauss that emphasize strategic planning, data-driven resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration were discovered. Special emphasis is placed on human resource management, promoting a culture of innovation and optimizing processes, recognizing the importance of attracting and developing talent and promoting productivity and collaboration. The study confirms that focusing on these practices can be considered key to success in the rapidly evolving IT industry.