How Startups Can Engage Talent: Lessons from Anusha Shetty at the SHRM Talent Summit

Startups are exciting, unpredictable, and full of potential—but they’re also incredibly challenging. Unlike big corporations, they don’t have unlimited resources, and the pace of change can be overwhelming. At the SHRM Talent Summit, Anusha Shetty, a seasoned entrepreneur, shared her thoughts on how startups can successfully engage and retain talent. Her insights were refreshingly practical and perfect for fast-paced environments. Let’s unpack her advice in a straightforward, relatable way.

Working with Limited Budgets

Startups rarely have the luxury of big salaries or expansive resources, but that doesn’t mean they can’t attract and engage great talent. According to Anusha, the key is structuring the team like a pyramid:

• Keep it lean at the top: The founding team is typically small—one or two people who set the vision and lead the charge.

• Build strength in the middle: Mid-level professionals who are passionate and skilled but don’t need to be senior executives.

• Broaden the base: Fresh graduates bring new ideas and enthusiasm, which keeps the energy alive.

This structure ensures that you can get the most out of your resources while building a passionate and collaborative team.

Fueling Passion and Effort

Startups live and die by the dedication of their employees. Anusha emphasized that getting employees to go above and beyond isn’t just about offering perks—it’s about creating alignment. When you match an employee’s passions with the company’s mission, amazing things happen.

“Startups thrive on agility,” Anusha explained. She pointed out how throwing hierarchy out the window and fostering open, honest conversations can make employees feel truly valued. Respect and autonomy are game-changers. Give employees space to own their roles, and you’ll see their energy skyrocket.

Offering More Than Money

Yes, salaries matter, but they’re not the whole story—especially in startups. Anusha talked about the power of non-monetary incentives. She highlighted how autonomy, ambition, and meaningful work can sometimes trump paychecks.

Take her own digital marketing firm, for example. New employees get to work on creative projects immediately—like making their first film within three months of joining. It’s an experience most big companies can’t match and leaves employees with a sense of fulfillment and pride.

Making Flexibility the New Perk

Post-COVID, flexibility isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Anusha acknowledged the challenges of balancing work-from-home setups with in-office collaboration.

At her firm, the team works in the office four days a week but focuses on maintaining flexibility. She pointed out the importance of social interaction for productivity and knowledge sharing. Bringing people together sparks collaboration, and while it’s not easy to transition employees back to the office, it pays off in the long run.

Making Technology Work for Your Team

Technology is everywhere, but if it’s clunky or hard to use, it can become more of a problem than a solution. Anusha stressed that HR tools need to be intuitive to truly engage employees.

She also suggested including features that resonate with younger employees, like investment platforms or personalized dashboards, to make these tools more relevant and exciting.

Navigating the Chaos of Startups

Startups are known for their rapid pace and constant changes. Anusha acknowledged this reality and shared her perspective: “Human beings are social creatures. We need connection to thrive.”

Collaboration, shared learning, and transparency are essential to navigating uncertainty. Teams need clear communication and responses from leaders to feel grounded when things get chaotic.

Building a Playbook That Works

Instead of writing out a rigid rulebook, Anusha believes in creating a playbook that develops organically. For her, it’s all about mutual respect, fair compensation, and open collaboration.

“When your values are lived, not just written down, the culture builds itself,” she explained. This approach ensures the organization’s culture aligns naturally with its goals.

Final Thoughts

Anusha Shetty’s advice is a masterclass in making the most of what you’ve got. Whether it’s building a strong team pyramid, offering unique experiences, or embracing flexibility, startups have plenty of opportunities to create meaningful engagement.

Her message was simple: Startups don’t need to operate like big corporations—they just need to play to their strengths. By focusing on passion, collaboration, and shared purpose, they can build teams that are not only productive but also deeply committed to the mission.

Where does your startup stand? Whether it’s finding ways to create meaningful work, leveraging technology, or rethinking flexibility, these insights are a great place to start.