In this episode of The Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray dives into what it really means to create value in business, how to shift how you show up as a leader, lessons from event production pros at Zoho, and the importance of building a flywheel that drives sustainable growth. From Seth Godin’s wisdom on value creation to the dangers of hackers and scams, Ramon breaks down practical insights every entrepreneur can use today. Don’t miss out – subscribe to our podcast | Sign up to our YouTube channel.

Key Takeaways

• Shift how you show up: Great leaders know when to be in the spotlight and when to step back and empower others.
• Events are about experiences, not logistics: Zoho’s event producer stresses focusing on the people, not just the details.
• Value > cost: Seth Godin reminds us that customers only buy when the value exceeds the price—for them.
• Monetize smartly: OpenAI’s move to advertising shows the importance of sustainable revenue models.
• Stay cyber-safe: Even experts can be fooled—always verify and protect against scams.
• Build your flywheel: Small repeatable actions that gain momentum over time can power long-term growth.

The Power to Shift How You Show Up

Ramon challenges entrepreneurs to ask: Do you have the ability to shift how you show up? Extroverts may naturally grab the mic, while introverts may prefer the back row—but growth comes when you learn to adjust. Sometimes you need to energize a room, other times you need to step back, listen, and let others shine. The ability to flex between roles is a mark of a true professional and leader.

Lessons from Zoho’s Event Team

Ramon interviewed Sy Bhavithran Kumar of Zoho, who has overseen nearly 800 events. His top lessons for entrepreneurs:

• Events succeed when they create experiences, not just logistics.
• Know your audience—tailor content to who’s actually in the room.
• Budget with discipline—spend wisely, not just because funds are available.
• Involve your team and measure ROI with feedback and dashboards.
  Events are powerful tools for growth, but they must connect with people, not just check boxes.

Seth Godin on Value Creation

Seth Godin’s timeless insight: “Nothing matters unless it produces more value than it costs.”

• Value is measured by the customer—status, peace of mind, health, or results.
• Scarcity drives demand: from Taylor Swift tickets to luxury goods, people pay when they believe the outcome is worth more than the price.
• Entrepreneurs must avoid the race to the bottom. Don’t be “anyone.” Be the only one who delivers your kind of value.

Monetization Lessons from OpenAI

OpenAI recently announced advertising for its free ChatGPT service. The lesson for small business owners? If you’re offering something for free, you must still find a way to monetize. Whether through ads, upsells, or premium tiers—free must eventually pay the bills.

Watch Out for Scams

Even a New York Times digital crime reporter was nearly tricked into a $2,000 PayPal scam. The scammer built credibility with case numbers, fake supervisors, and caller ID tricks. Ramon’s advice: never transfer money based on a call. Always use verified numbers and official sites to confirm.

The Flywheel of Business

Finally, Ramon shared Nathan Barry’s flywheel concept—a system where small actions create momentum that builds over time. Like a heavy wheel that’s hard to start but easy to keep spinning, a business flywheel could be:

• A lead magnet → welcome email → content nurture → sale.
• Each turn gets easier and delivers more results.
• Once in motion, flywheels free up the entrepreneur from constant busy work.

Ramon challenged listeners: What’s the flywheel in your business? Without it, you’ll always struggle to sustain growth