Sridhar Vembu, CEO and founder at Zoho Corporation, recently delivered a strong message to investors that defies traditional thinking about wealth accumulation. In a thought-provoking tweet, Vembu advised people to reassess their notions of wealth, emphasizing the value of talents and capabilities over stock market valuations.
Vembu added, "We've evolved to regard stock market valuation as riches. The skills and capacities of our people and organizations are where true wealth lies. Real riches is the ability to solve one's own problems. "Real wealth is the ability to accomplish big things." He claimed that stock market values are useful as a measure or meter, but they should never be the primary purpose. "When we make it our goal, we lose sight of what truly matters," he told me.
This viewpoint comes at a time when the business sector is dealing with concerns of employee well-being and work-life balance. Vembu has been outspoken about the unhealthy workplace culture that frequently favors profits above employees. In a recent interview with PTI, he warned of the consequences of working under intense pressure, comparing it to a "pressure cooker." He stated that such conditions might lead to burnout and negative consequences for both individuals and businesses.
"You already face loneliness, long commutes, and unpleasant working situations. So, you're putting people in a huge pressure cooker, and regrettably, some of them break, while others are broken," Vembu said. He pushes for a more humanistic approach to business that prioritizes employee well-being while meeting corporate objectives.
Vembu's dedication to a healthy work-life balance is reflected in his own career. He said, "I've been working for 27-28 years and hope to work another 28 if feasible. But I can't let myself or my employees burn out in order to do this." His commitment to preserving this balance reflects his notion that long-term success depends on employee health and satisfaction.
Vembu, an Indian entrepreneur born in 1968, has made important contributions to the technology industry through his company, Zoho Corporation. Forbes listed him as India's 55th wealthiest individual in 2021, with an estimated net worth of $3.75 billion. In the same year, he was honored with India's fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri. Sridhar Vembu's message serves as a reminder that true wealth is not found in volatile stock prices, but in the skills and well-being of individuals within enterprises.
