Reputation is everything.
A good reputation is to be nurtured and milked when necessary. Avoid being saddled with a bad reputation. Avoid it like one would the plague because a bad reputation is just that.
Bad.
Category: 25 Rules for the Modern Uberman
Rule 14: MONEY vs. LOYALTY
Power based on money is very easy to achieve. But once you have it, it can easily fall apart. Anyone can be bribed. Mistrust, greed sets in, bang, you’ve lost your power.
Power based on loyalty is very difficult to achieve. Nobody ever trusts anybody or even really understands what the term loyalty actually means. But on the other hand, once you do establish your power based on loyalty, you can become… invincible.
Rule 13: AUXILIARIES
Avoid outsourcing! Dependency on such auxiliaries compromises security and your control over your acquisition.
Rule 12: MERCENARIES
Avoid contractors! They are mere mercenaries and can be very dangerous. They have no loyalty, especially when times get tough!
Rule 11: GOVERNMENT
Government institutions are divine entities that are to be avoided at all costs. They make the rules. They change the rules. Unless you have a budget to rival the national account don’t even go there.
Rule 10: POWER
REAL POWER is a measurement of how well you can maintain or hold on to your acquisition. Can you stand alone and defend your position or do your require outside assistance?
Rule 9: FAVOUR
Strike a balance between your stakeholders and your executive team. Don’t favour one group or you risk alienating the other.
Rule 8: VIOLATIONS
Criminal or unethical activity can be used well or very badly. Its biggest drawback is that there is no honour in it. To use it well you must commit the violation once and for all, get the job done and let the transgression fade from mass memory. On the other hand, if you consistently transgress you are bound to pay the price.
Rule 7: INHERITANCE vs. SKILL
Acquiring a company by way of birthright is easy, but may prove difficult to administer. Again, nobody respects or fears you.
Acquiring a company using your own faculties is difficult and requires great skill. But let me promise you, administration thereafter is easy. Everyone respects you. Everyone fears you.
Rule 6: FORTUNE vs. SKILL
Companies acquired through fortune are difficult to administer. Nobody respects, or fears you. Companies acquired through skill are easy to administer. Everyone respects you. Everyone fears you.