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Table of Contents

1. Opening Salvo

2. Did You See This?

3. The Plug

Opening Salvo

I love when the holidays fall mid-week. With a drastic decrease in scheduled calls/meetings, the last thirteen days have seamlessly blended together—in a much less offensive way than usual. Let’s ease into the year with a few articles I’ve found interesting over the past month or so.

Did You See This?

Navigating Wage Increases: Balancing Costs and Talent Retention

NPR reports that 27 states will raise their minimum wage in 2025, with increases ranging from modest adjustments to jumps over $2 per hour. For businesses, this shift introduces new operational challenges, including budgeting, pricing strategies, and managing employee expectations.

What to Consider

• Budget Pressures: Wage hikes will impact payroll costs, particularly for small businesses with slim profit margins. Companies will need to find efficiencies to absorb these increases.

• Competitive Pay: While some organizations may view these hikes as burdensome, others see them as an opportunity to attract talent. Paying above minimum wage has become a differentiator in a tight labor market.

• Ripple Effects: Minimum wage increases often prompt raises for employees already earning slightly more, creating a “compression” effect that impacts salary structures.

Rising wages aren’t just an expense—they’re an investment in workforce stability. Companies that adjust proactively by improving efficiency and enhancing employee engagement will come out ahead. Minimum wage hikes may feel like a challenge, but they’re also a chance to rethink compensation strategies and foster loyalty.

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The Plug

Mock Interviews with AstutEdge!