It’s a representation of value.
Look at the thing of value as what’s underneath the money. If you want to generate more income, then think of how you can generate more value, not more money. Also recognize that both value and wealth come in more forms than just money. You can be financially wealthy but be bankrupt in true friendships, peer respect or health.
This observation is universal; applicable to anyone, anywhere in any business or organization. It applies to the artist business, the management company and the United States Government.
In equation form it looks like this:
Wealth = Value Provided by Y * Number of Entities that Directly Value Y
(Where Y is the product, employee or subject generating wealth).
HT Seth Godin