Dajia Picks

What it’s really trying to do is ensure competitors don’t emerge—not by nickel-and-diming everyone over small perks and causing talent to flee. That exiled talent then founds a competing company right against you.

Once the monopoly is broken, profits plummet—making the whole strategy counterproductive.

Dealing with people is straightforward: I offer you a small benefit first, then ask for a small favor in return. If you give it, we enter a virtuous cycle; if not, we stop.

I’ll do you a little favor, then ask you to do me a small one. If you don’t, the cooperation ends.

Business people are the same, and investors too. Lose on the first try, get scared on the second, and never try again—and you’ll never make it over a lifetime.