Best Work Investment of the Year

What It Covers

Neil and Eric discuss their best work investments of 2025, focusing on intentional peer group selection, strategic networking through lunch meetings, micromanaging talent acquisition, and the shift from monetary to relational wealth.

Key Questions Answered

• •Peer Group Curation: Cut low-value peer groups ruthlessly. Evaluate each group by clear criteria: aligned values, member commitment level, and specific outcomes. Keep only groups where planning doesn't feel like pulling teeth and members share your priorities beyond partying.
• •Strategic Lunch Networking: Schedule one to two lunch meetings weekly with smart individuals outside your industry. This approach yields tangible benefits in two to three out of every ten meetings, including customer introductions, investor connections, and practical life improvements within 18-24 months.
• •Talent Bar Micromanagement: Founders must personally oversee hiring standards because B-players hire C-players, creating a bozo explosion. Sometimes paying three times more for exceptional talent costs less overall than hiring multiple mediocre employees. Quality over budget constraints drives better outcomes.
• •Enterprise Sales Cycles: Speaking at events generates seven to eight figure RFP opportunities, but requires 18-24 months from initial speech to procurement-led deals. Consistent event presence and relationship building precede large enterprise contracts, making travel investment essential for scaling revenue.