Monetization Playbook #69 —He has the most, who is most content with the least

He has the most—who is most content with the least.

Makcim, my son, placed 2nd. He was the runner-up in last week's class spelling bee. He likes to win. Hates losing!

“Dad, I misspelled cooperation.”

“Do you mean corporation or cooperation?”

“I don't know, that's why I got it wrong! What's the difference?”

A corporation is how we commonly refer to companies. Businesses set up to make money essentially, son–like Amazon.

Cooperation is when people help each other toward a common goal. Isn't that the same as a corporation, then?

“Enough with the questions, Mackim. It's dinner time!”

The word corporation comes from the Latin word "corporare," which means "to combine in one body."

The Romans first codified an organization's notion as having an identity distinct from that of the persons who owned it or belonged to it. [wiki]

Cooperation is derived from "cooperari "to work together. It is the act of working together to one end. [thanks wiki]

Again, they seem the same. But there's a subtle difference. 

In a mature corporation, everybody is rarely working towards the same end. 

Agent principle problem–the conflict in priorities between a person or group and the representative authorized to act on their behalf–is pervasive in many organizations. 

Yes, of course, most companies have a vision, mission, and a bunch of other statements, but having v's living and breathing are two very different things.

In a startup, the goal usually is simple. 

Create value. 

First, create value for customers. 

Then, capture some of that value.

He has the most—who is most content with the least.

—Diogenes: [ Philosopher 404-323 BCE ]

Cooperation eats corporation for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!