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Ask HN: Is it always bad if a company does not grow?

1 points by mojomark ↗ HN
Companies seem to always push employees to grow (get new business, hire more, repeat) above all else. But, what if a company functions perfectly fine at a given size -- that is, it's profitable, employees are content with their compensation and there is a clear path from entry level to advancement and ultimately retirement? What's wrong with just "sustaining" that size rather than stressing everyone out by seeking growth above all else?

3 comments

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epc
There's nothing wrong with that, unless you’re a public company. If the company is public then shareholders and activist investors will push management to increase the value of the company (by whatever means, reduced costs, increased returns, new products, etc). If management fails to respond then they'll get forced out.
warrenm
I wrote about this 13 years ago: https://antipaucity.com/2008/06/18/whats-your-business-strat...

>There only seem to be about two strategies that work: you can try for growth (like most companies seem to do), or you can try for the niche that will consistently pay for your product.

Growth is fine

So is stability

Neither is bad

Neither is good