In today's startup landscape, headlines are dominated by how much money company X has managed to raise. Sky-high valuations make the news, regardless of whether they even remotely make sense. This is the kind of investment that captures attention, clicks, and engagement.
And frankly, I’m tired of it.
While funding rounds and valuations are exciting, they are not the foundation of a truly successful company. That foundation is built by the people who show up every day, work hard, and contribute to your company’s growth and success.
The most important investment isn’t one that makes headlines. It’s the investment in and the celebration of those people.
A key part of this is actively raising salaries, even if employees don’t ask for it or feel they are paid fairly already. It means recognizing their efforts and rewarding them. If someone’s contribution to the company is clearly visible, we are committed to showing appreciation through better compensation.
I’m not saying it’s all about money. Sometimes you simply can’t raise salaries for economic reasons (oh, we’ve been there). But people need to feel valued. When they do, they are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stick around. This creates a positive feedback loop where the company’s success leads to happier employees, and happier employees lead to more company success. It’s a win-win situation.
As a business, it can be tempting to focus solely on the numbers—sales, profits, and expenses. But remember, your most valuable asset isn’t your bank balance or your monthly revenue; it’s your team. By investing in people, you’re investing in the long-term success of your company. It ensures sustainable growth, stability, and resilience—unlike the flashy investments you read about in the news. They often evaporate in the hunt for “hyper-growth” faster than you can say “venture capital”.
Besides, salaries are—by far—the most rewarding way to spend money.
