
Getting Paid Based on the Value You Create
"Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is, I don’t know which half.”

"Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is, I don’t know which half.”

We tend to look down on pennies. Phrases like “penny-pinching” or “penny-wise and pound-foolish” are dripping with contempt. But writing off the humble cent is a huge mistake. Some of today’s most powerful business strategies and biggest opportunities are built on the very idea of thinking small.

Hal Varian, Google’s Chief Economist, once pointed out that in today’s internet economy, the one truly scarce resource is attention. This single idea unlocks the strategy behind some of the world's most successful companies and holds powerful lessons for anyone looking to build a business.

Getting networking right is a learning process, but a huge part of getting it right is simply avoiding what’s obviously wrong. Based on what I’ve seen, steering clear of a few common pitfalls can make all the difference. If you're building a , these are the habits to drop immediately.

Is your networking falling flat? If you feel like you're putting in the effort without seeing the results, don't worry. It’s a common hurdle, especially when you're or . Here are ten straightforward ways to improve your networking game and build the connections you need for your .

You’ve done everything you were told to do. You show up to the networking events with a smile, you nail your introduction, you chat with a few people, and then… crickets. Not a single person seems interested in what you’re selling. It’s easy to feel like giving up, but don’t.

Have you ever looked at certain people and wondered how they consistently get incredible results from networking, while your own efforts feel hit-or-miss? After watching countless entrepreneurs over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern. For the most successful ones, networking isn't just another task on their to-do list—it's woven into the very fabric of their business. It's less of an activity and more of an attitude.

Networking often gets a bad rap. Many people see it as just another sales channel—a place to pitch your services, collect cards, and hopefully land a client. But if that’s all you’re using it for, you’re missing the bigger picture. Real networking is about more than just a quick sale; it’s a powerful tool for growing your entire business, and it requires a different kind of thinking. It’s about taking your networking activities and seeing them as more than just a marketing tactic.

The opportunities to connect with people have never been more abundant, both in-person and online. Not too long ago, networking was an event you put on your calendar, maybe once a week. Outside of the occasional social gathering, your ability to connect was mostly confined to being in the same room as other professionals. But that's completely changed. Today, networking is a constant. It’s less of an activity and more of an attitude.