Partnership: We can’t operate alone. Transactions involve counterparties. Ultimately, business is about establishing and managing relationships with others. Without mutual benefit, trade falters and conducting business becomes difficult. When starting a business, keep a partnership in mind. The key to a partnership is “how to share,” not “how much to earn.” If the distribution isn’t rational, distortions will occur within the organization, which can harm the bottom line. Failing to distribute fairly or according to the situation increases the risk of business failure. Breaking up with a partner might seem better sometimes, but the core conflict remains; only it shifts from internal to external. To succeed in business, focus on distributing profits effectively rather than solely increasing them. Learning to distribute well is essential. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Paradoxically, one of the reasons for Rome’s demise was that it kept winning wars. Victories expanded the empire’s territory, and the risks increased proportionally. Men, primarily middle-class men, volunteered as soldiers; the larger the territory, the longer the wars lasted, and the longer it took for them to return home. The women who remained at home were forced to borrow labor and became indebted to the nobility. Eventually, the women were sold into slavery, and by the time the men returned, their families had disintegrated. People don’t betray because they’re evil, but because it increases their risk. If the territory you’re in grows, you might reconsider your loyalties to the organization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”