One big exception can be things like R&D or internal support (i.e. toolmakers and mentors) where the work doesn’t have the prospect of becoming cash flow positive in the near term. If your skills don’t transfer well to the core business, it might not matter how strong they are.

For example, Facebook has some great people working on VR. If they get spooked about profitability, someone with a neuroscience Ph.D probably isn’t going to pivot to ad sales.