As I watch India live the lockdown, I wonder about those companies that are living the credit cycle for survival. They have a net profit, while buying from one and selling to another. But, now, when the money stops rolling, what happens ? The only way to stay afloat is to let people take the impact, if their balance sheet can’t.

A lot of smart people are available for hiring, and an opportunity for new businesses to build from ground up. Use their experience and expertise. Hire them now when they are being let go. This cost will pay in terms of loyalty and ability to ride (or create) the logarithmic curve for your business, when life starts returning to normalcy. Did I mention they will come cheaper now than would have cost you otherwise ?

The sale is not only in the stock market. If equity investments are about buying stakes in businesses, and hence for the long term, strategic hiring is for building these businesses.

It is also in the people hiring space. Don’t lock down your hiring. Go aggressive. Hire for the next 3-5 years.

You won’t regret it.