Don't just gather resources; optimize their flow. Plan your building layouts to minimize travel time for villagers between resource nodes, production buildings, and the Hearth. Use paths to speed up movement. Prioritize production chains that feed into multiple needs or high-value trade goods.
Consider specializing your settlements. One might focus on raw material extraction, while another refines those into complex goods. Always keep an eye on your resource consumption rates versus production rates. Overproducing a low-value item can be as detrimental as underproducing a critical one. Use the resource panel to track surpluses and deficits.