Building Reputation Over Time: The Metagame of Life

Had the pleasure of meeting Tony Crisp 🚀 at the UCI Antrepreneur talk. My main takeaways: - you need to build a S.Y.S.T.E.M for yourself (save your self time energy money), or else your ability to translate your abilities to impact will be much harder - build your network by building TRUST. specifically, take initiative, then deliver consistently - be extremely willing to get yourself out there, people need to know your name. post on social media, call people over for a coffee chat, your face needs to be known P.S took a pic of the group picture we took, but the glare is making this thing look better IMO.

Let’s be honest. In business, being overly nice can quietly damage your brand. When you: * Underprice to avoid losing clients * Avoid tough conversations * Tolerate disrespect * Delay difficult decisions You are not protecting relationships. You are weakening your authority. Authority is not loud. It is clear. As I continue building Happibo Realty, I’ve realized that respect follows clarity — not people-pleasing. The moment you communicate standards confidently, the right people take you seriously. And the wrong people walk away. Both outcomes are healthy. #BusinessStrategy #EntrepreneurMindset #RealEstateBusiness #HappiboRealty #ProfessionalDevelopment

Some frank reflections from various conversations where people often reach out for their career or business sparring and a common opening statement ”Rashmi, you have such a vast network, maybe you can help?” 🔘What I’d say to my younger self: Think like an investor. Start networking early in life, gather dividends along the way, but treat it as a long-term capital investment. Most people turn to networking as a ”save my day” tool and expect immediate results. Others expend it on partying. Use networks wisely. 🔘Who you know and who knows you matters equally as much as what you know. It matters even more living in a small country. It’s about the trust. Trust building like networth building can be painfully slow & non-linear, hence start early. A very senior connection of mine once told me it took them about 8 years to land a Board position from a network acquaintance who went radio silence for 8 years and then suddenly reappeared with the exact right opportunity for the right person. In Finland while this is a cultural norm to have long painful silences, people haven’t forgotten you. No news may often be exactly that - no news, hence the Finns won’t say a thing 😀 (we need to change this a bit in Finland as we become more and more global, silences are not comfortable for all cultures). 🔘Give equally as much as you expect. This is how true networking works. Even before you ask for something, offer to help and when you are not in a position to help, offer a coffee or a lunch, its a gesture of gratitude for someone’s time and attention. 🔘I personally value 1-1 deep sparring with people on subjects they are experts on and in return I offer my help on subjects I have expertise in. I once had a topic I am professionally very passionate about knew quite little of, I called roughly about 50 experts through global network effect, it provided me a very wholistic view to make my own decisions. In this process be prepared that at least 10% and upto 50% will not return your contact request. At the same time, be prepared to be wowed by accidentally running into business celebrities through network effect, something you find out only after the call, like ”Holy molly, was it really them that I just spoke to!?”. In my observation more people are willing to help than you even can give credit for. But courage to contact even when knowing that you won’t have a response back is the single thing that will make the difference. In either case, you won’t regret that courage, but you will regret not taking that first step, exactly also like value investing. 🔘 Don’t underestimate anyone and don’t prioritise meeting only the ones in ranks and cadres. Meet young Talented people equally as the senior professionals, you will learn a lot. I love to keep my connections to universities alive exactly for this. In general, a pro tip is to be active in various walk of life that you care about, from there come unexpected breakthroughs. #HappyNetworking #NetworkisNetworth

Here is what I am thinking about today. I was in a meeting last week. Across the table was someone I have known for years. We were talking about a deal. Numbers, structure, timelines. The usual. And in the middle of it, he said something that stopped me. He said, "You are different than you were five years ago." I asked what he meant. He said I used to walk into rooms trying to prove something. Now I just walk in. I did not know what to do with that. I sat with it for days. Here is what I think he saw. Five years ago, I was building from ego. I did not know it at the time. I thought I was building from purpose. I told myself the work mattered. And it did. But the reason I kept showing up was not the work. It was what the work said about me. Every deal closed was proof. Every investor who said yes was confirmation. Every project that moved forward told me I was worth something. I was not building a business. I was building a case for my own existence. That is ego disguised as purpose. And it is the hardest thing to see because it looks exactly like drive. The shift did not happen in a single moment. It happened slowly. Through losses I could not explain away. Through relationships that suffered while I was performing. Through a growing sense that the life I was building looked right from the outside and felt hollow from the inside. Purpose is quieter than ego. Ego needs the room to know. Purpose does not care if the room knows. Purpose is still there when nobody is watching. When the deal falls through. When the investor says no. When the project stalls and there is no one to perform for. I am not saying I have figured this out. I have not. There are still days where I catch myself reaching for the old fuel. Wanting the validation. Wanting the proof. But I know the difference now. And knowing the difference is the whole game. "The good life is built with good relationships." Robert Waldinger

An Iftar Invitation Is Never “Just Dinner.” If you work with the Gulf, read that again. And one of the biggest mistakes Western professionals make is assuming an Iftar invitation is a networking opportunity. It is not. It is a trust moment. When someone invites you to break the fast with them, they are not just offering food. They are offering proximity. To their rhythm. To their values. And often to their family. And in the Gulf, proximity is currency. I have seen Executives: – Confirm and then cancel because “something came up.” – Arrive late. – Rush into business talk. – Follow up the next morning with a proposal attachment. None of these are dramatic mistakes. But they are quietly remembered. Ramadan softens hierarchy. CEOs sit beside children. Royals sit beside founders. Family members are present. Your emotional intelligence becomes more visible than your job title. Are you patient? Are you observant? Do you read the room? Do you understand that silence is part of the rhythm? Iftar is not about pushing things forward. It is about showing who you are when the formal structure drops away. Today's Middle East Sunday Pages talk exactly about this: https://lnkd.in/euwrazAC Because in the Gulf, it is never “just dinner.” It is taking you to the next level of the relationship. (if you do it right)

I’m continuing to have powerful conversations with others like ourselves who are feeling tired of the runaround and ready for something different - both personally and professionally! Seems like there’s a lot of unnecessary clutter and static that’s going around - especially when it comes to business development and building authentic rapport. When I’m having these conversations, I take them very seriously! And usually when I’m having conversations with these people, I’m wondering what I can do for my side to help provide my support. I’m extremely relationship driven. I love to build trust, ease and rapport. Even though I do offer adaptability and flexibility, I still honor myself with my own boundaries and what I need for myself while being able to be there for others. If there is something that is out of my wheelhouse, I’m quite sure that there is a person or business who I personally know that can! In my world, I’m a huge believer of quality over quantity. That’s simply how I roll! Less is more and a little bit goes a very long way. Integrity is a really big deal as well.. Usually, a simple conversation can open up some pretty incredible doors and I wouldn’t be where I am today without those simple and forward, moving conversations! My approach is attraction versus promotion. No matter how much I pitch or hunt for any type of opportunity, that type of action doesn’t really work well for me (even though I’m extremely proactive). Somehow, the right people show up and the synergy is there. I’m only saying this because building trust is such an important thing and truly! One conversation can really do a whole bunch of good - it can plant seeds. It can build lots of bridges. We can meet you where you are and where you would like to be. It’s really that simple! I really don’t know where you are and where you would like to go. It doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. And I would love to help in the best way I can. When you have a vast skill set, it’s time to bring what is necessary to the table. Why bother limiting yourself when the right person or business can value from something that you can easily offer them? As broad as this sounds, I would rather bring what I can bring to the table then assume what your needs are. That’s when having a conversation is super handy! I understand that time and energy and other resources are valuable. With everything that I’m doing with this new brand and resource of mine (PRVYR), I’m looking forward to bringing more to the table - including referring you and what you are bringing to the table! It’s my pleasure to create time to connect with you. I can definitely make time. It doesn’t matter if it’s a partnership, collaboration or a client relationship. I’m definitely more than happy to see where I can add some type of value and everybody involved wins! Wishing you an amazing Tuesday from Southern California and definitely keep up the great work. I look forward to hearing from you!

Is your expansion strategy missing Qatar? Qatar's National Vision 2030 is shifting from a long-term goal to a tangible, high-growth reality. With massive investment flowing into AI infrastructure, fintech, digital payments, and sustainable development, the landscape for international business is evolving rapidly. For many western founders and service providers, the 'how' remains the biggest hurdle. The reality is that Qatar significantly lowered barriers to entry, including 100% ownership in most sectors. However, successful market isn't about just showing up, it's about understanding the specific regulatory environment that matches your business model. Why the landscape is shifting: 1. Accessible frameworks-choosing between mainland operations and the Qatar Financial Center (QFC), which operates under English common law is the most critical decision you'll make. 2. Business language-English is the standard for international commerce, legal documentation and day-to-day operations. 3. Strategic growth-the government is actively courting tech-forward firms, particularly those contributing to the national diversification strategy. The window to establish a footprint in this market is open, but success require more than speed, it requires a local understanding of the legal and operational landscape. If you are evaluating the Middle East for your next expansion, let's discuss the realities of the market and how to position your firm for the long term. Lovely stands for clarity, collaboration, and global solutions. We do not engage in or support any form of conflict or war. Our mission is to create positive, cross-border impact for people and businesses worldwide. https://www.lovely.com.de #QatarBusiness #Vision2030 #MarketEntry #GlobalExpansion #ForeignInvestment #MiddleEastBusiness

The Dos and Don'ts of ICSC LAS VEGAS 2026 Do: -Fly in Sunday. You need time to prep, adjust to the time zone, and hit the ground running Monday morning. -Stay present. Invest the time with clients - relationships aren't built in 15-minute slots. -Speak to a junior person the same way you speak to a senior person. Respect isn't hierarchical. -Let the other person talk first. Understand what they're looking to do, what motivates them, and how you can help. Don't: -Schedule meetings over LinkedIn DMs. -Go to Sphere Entertainment Co. three nights in a row. (Once is an experience. Three times is avoidance.) -Book a hotel off-strip. You'll regret it by Day 2. -End meetings with "Let's stay in touch." End with what you're going to do together next. -Fly out Wednesday. If you're attending, be all in or all out. (REMINDER: the conference is Monday, May 18 – Wednesday, May 20 this year) #ICSC #ICSCCreator #Partnership SURMOUNT

Your reputation grows in rooms you are not in. That is the truth most people forget. Because opportunities are often discussed when you are not present. Your name comes up. Your work gets mentioned. Your character gets described. And in that moment. The people around you matter. Here is something important. 1️⃣ The right people speak well of you → Even when you are not there. 2️⃣ They defend your work → Your effort does not go unnoticed. 3️⃣ They recommend you for opportunities → Good people open doors for each other. 4️⃣ They protect your reputation → Trust grows through loyalty. 5️⃣ Be that person for others too → Speak well about people when they are absent. Because the strongest relationships are built on trust. Not just visibility. So choose your circle wisely. Do you have people who support you in rooms you are not in? ♻️If you’re ready to move from unseen to unforgettable, stop waiting. Create visibility. Build credibility. And the stages will follow.

Your network is your net worth, but only if you nurture it. You’ve heard “your network is your net worth.” But nobody tells you the full truth: A neglected network is worth nothing. Most people collect connections like trophies. They add 500+ people and never say a word. Real networking on LinkedIn looks like this: → Commenting genuinely on 5 posts a day. → Sending a "thinking of you" DM with no agenda. → Sharing someone else's win louder than your own. Your network grows when you give before you ask. Start today. Pick one person in your connections and send them a genuine compliment. Watch what comes back to you.