Paying for Talent.

Occasionally, I am asked simple questions that take me back to the fundamentals of this business and managing a business in general. I love when this happens because it usually sets my feet in the puddles of common sense that are all too easy to skip across when the going gets going too fast.

“Why do you cost more?” was the question I received today.

I love that question because it gives me the chance to talk about our team and if there is one thing I love, its talking about our team.

In web development I am confident that we are not the cheapest firm around. I don’t want to be the cheapest. Cheapest and “blow your mind” rarely go out together to talk about how compatible they are.

Creating web sites, brilliant design, advertising, film, etc. are all beholden to the potential of the people creating in those spaces. Talent comes in all shapes and sizes but usually comes with a common quality - the ability to repeat a brilliant performance when called on to do so. Average workers get lucky sometimes and find it difficult to replicate their success - because they don’t know what their success was based upon. But talent comes at a price commensurate with quality.

We invest very heavily in talent and do so ahead of when the balance sheet says it is safe. It is scary at times to reach DEEP in the pockets to pay for talent but you have to trust that winners win. Time after time. Google and Apple are both famous for paying VERY well for the best and brightest. If Apple bought average talent in the area of industrial design or not paid for the triumphant return of Steve Jobs in the 90s would the iPod ever have seen the light of day? What would they have “saved”? They would have foregone billions - with a “b”.

In small businesses, the impact is even more severe. Great ideas in small companies have the potential to radically transform those companies and the people who work there. You can rely on average talent for a long time. You’ll maybe keep the doors open and offer the same level of quality that you always have. Or you can get moving in a direction to be exceptional. And it will happen on the back of the people you employ.

Its a lot more fun to go to work and be surrounded by exceptional.

~ by Chris Bothel on February 8, 2008.