Problem
A startup with a positive, fun-loving, creative culture is bound to make all kinds of useful or entertaining things.
But it isn’t able to monetize all of the things it creates!
Body
Google entertains millions with its Doodles. And, in some parallel universe ruled by MBAs, one could imagine a presentation to the board of directors as follows: “we should create two tiers of user accounts – we’ll do a freemium model – where people who pay an additional $1 per month will be allowed to see the Doodle! Ordinary users don’t see it.”
Solution
Don’t bother.
As Tim O’Reilly said: create more value than you capture. Because it’s good karma.
By donating to the public fund of social and cultural capital, you create goodwill and brand charisma. The monetization – if any – is incredibly indirect, as it first has to pass through a highly fuzzy and subjective translation layer of reputation capital.
But it’s the right thing to do.
