BUSINESS + TECH
WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD INVEST, CHANCES ARE YOUR BRAIN JUMPS TO IMAGES OF SUITED FIGURES STARING AT STOCK MARKET FIGURES OR ENTREPRENEURS PACING OUTSIDE DRAGONS’ DEN WITH HIGH HOPES AND SWEATY PALMS. IN ITS TRADITIONAL SENSE, INVESTMENT IS ABOUT PUTTING MONEY, TIME OR RESOURCES INTO AN ASSET OR VENTURE WITH THE EXPECTATION OF FUTURE RETURNS- A MANUFACTURER BUYING NEW MACHINERY TO RAMP UP PRODUCTION, OR A TECH FIRM PLOUGHING CASH INTO R & D TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE, PERHAPS. IN TODAY’ S TURBO- CHARGED, TECH-LED BUSINESS LANDSCAPE, HOWEVER, THE DEFINITION OF INVESTING HAS EVOLVED. NO LONGER JUST ABOUT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, IT’ S A COMMITMENT TO PEOPLE, IDEAS, TECHNOLOGIES AND EVEN TO OTHER BUSINESSES. BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
INVEST … IN YOUR BUSINESS
Let’ s start with the obvious. After a bumpy few years, UK business investment is still moving, but unevenly. The latest Office for National Statistics( ONS) data shows business investment fell by 4 % in mid-2025, though it remains marginally above the level it was a year earlier, which means firms are still spending, but they’ re choosier about what they spend on.
Spending on physical assets- machinery, infrastructure, premises- is a surefire way to increase productivity. Research shows that companies that consistently reinvest a portion of profits grow two to three times faster than those that don’ t. And let’ s be blunt, if your competitors are upgrading their systems while you’ re still working with Windows 7 and a printer that jams more often than it prints, customers will notice.
That said, investing back into your business isn’ t all shiny kit and bigger premises. It’ s also about the less tangible, such as processes, branding, marketing, systems and strategy. A clear and adaptable business process, for example, means when Susan from accounts goes off on maternity leave, John from sales can step in without causing a chain reaction of chaos. Systems run the business and people run the systems, so neglect them at your peril.
INVEST … IN YOUR PEOPLE
If assets and systems are your skeleton, the people that make the cogs turn daily are the beating heart. Stats regularly show that companies with highly engaged teams enjoy on average 23 % greater profitability than those with disengaged employees, which doesn’ t just mean planning the occasional‘ pizza Friday’( though surely nobody has ever complained about free pizza), but rather offering training that actually equips employees with skills for the future, creating opportunities for career progression, recognising contributions in meaningful ways and fostering a culture where people feel seen and heard.
As we discussed in last month’ s mag, team-building days may sound a little naff, but they too have moved on in terms of content and scope, and done well they create trust and camaraderie. Incentives tied to personal growth can be far more motivating than a one-off cash bonus, and recognition- whether in the form of public praise, awards or a simple thank you- is consistently cited by employees as a top driver of job satisfaction.
Investing in people isn’ t about throwing money at staff in the hope they’ ll stick around, it’ s about showing them that they are central to your success.
Think of it as a virtuous cycle; you nurture them, they nurture your business, so attention paid today accumulates over time as greater loyalty, innovation and commitment in the future.
INVEST … IN OTHER BUSINESSES
Here’ s where it gets interesting. While ploughing resources into your own company is a no-brainer, increasingly successful leaders are looking outward- investing in other businesses, not just with money, but with mentorship and time. Why? Because collaboration breeds innovation
Mentorship, for example, allows you to share your hard-earned lessons while gaining fresh perspectives from start-ups or smaller businesses that are hungry to grow. The British Business Bank recently reported that in 2023, equity investment in UK smaller businesses reached £ 16.7 billion. While not everyone has millions to spare, even small-scale angel investing or advisory roles can open doors, strengthen networks and ultimately fuel your own growth, both personally and professionally.
It’ s also about reputation- being known as someone who uplifts others enhances your credibility and attracts opportunities. Plus, if one of those businesses you supported ends up being the next breakout brand(* kicks oneself for not securing shares in Gymshark *), you’ ll be the savvy investor who saw it coming- a pretty sweet pat on the back for your portfolio and your credibility.
INVEST … IN TECHNOLOGY
Ah, technology- the double-edged sword that’ s creeping into our lives at a rate more rapid than I suspect many of us envisaged. On the one hand, it promises efficiency, insights
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