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“Entrepreneurs are far less successful when they are trying to make money. They are much more successful when they have a mission to change the world.
Whatever your value proposition is, it should have the goal of making the world a better place and you should feel passionately about your contribution. If you don’t have this and you run into an obstacle, you get stuck. If you are passionate about your product and your message, you can power through problems more easily.”
Vinod Khosla
Co-founder of Sun Microsystems
(now owner of Khosla ventures)
I’ve recently been caught up in numerous debates about whether entrepreneurs should try to change the world or just try to make money.
Here’s a list of my arguments for creating a business that impacts your users. Rather than a philanthropic stance, I really think it is just good business sense.
When you develop a business culture centred on the user, they are more likely to spread the word about you, provide you with valuable feedback, root for you when you take on the big boys.
Sure, a company that makes a lot of money can hire talented individuals.. but they are also more likely to leave without hesitation. And believe me, there are companies out there that are more adapt at generating revenue than you and me the tiny entrepreneur.
But when you hire talent that believes in your vision and the way your product benefits your users, they’ll be more likely to stick with you through the ups and downs.
Either way, you’re in the ditch fighting forces that want to see you fail. Money is not always the best motivator.
If you’re going to put yourself through the uncertainties of the start-up life, I say make sure it’s something worth devoting your time to.. Otherwise, you just end up lying in the trenches with no money and no impact on the world.
P.S. For some humor watch this simpsons clip about the “Think Different” Apple campaign http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL2l_Q1AR_Q
February 25th, 2010 at 10:47 am
“Arrogance is needed to dare great things, to some extent. Changing the world happens almost organically. If you have a good idea, implement it well and the world is ready for it, change will happen and it might take on world-changing status. However; ‘changing the world’ is not always a noble goal or sustainable as a business. Real change has a positive feedback loop that sustains itself and sets a new bar for future change to happen. It also doesn’t feel like change until you look back on it and realize that you’re now different.”
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:34 am
“All armies of the world cannot stop an idea whose time has come” and the time has come for a revolution. Not just any but rather the most significant revolution of since modern civilization.
Indeed, “the arrogance of changing the world” requires thoughts so big and bold that even a blind man can see. It requires the kind of courage to stand in front of world leaders to tell them that they are accountable for the mess that they have created. Since they are unable to clear up the mess they should step aside to allow others the chance to get the job done in good faith. For that to happen, it is necessary to be humble in admitting mistakes. It is inevitable to allow new ideas to mature. Finally, it is indispensable to forgive and befriend the enemies with the hope of a brighter future together.
With that in mind, it is time to unleash innovations and leadership to make this world a better place for future generations.