Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their product?

Posted by esers on Thursday May 06, 2010 @11:19PM
from the ask-hn dept.

Microsoft: "put a computer on every desk."

Google: "organize the world's information."

Ebay: "democratize commerce."

What are your examples?

( 9 comments | 7 points | on HN )

Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by jasonshen on Friday May 07, 2010 @02:50AM (#1326889)

Facebook: "helping advertisers learn everything about you"

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Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by hernan7 on Friday May 07, 2010 @03:10AM (#1326917)

Mission statements are always going to be iffy. See Scott Adams' "Mebert" prank.

http://www.mit.edu/~jcb/humor/scott-adams-mgmt-consultant

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Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by pedalpete on Friday May 07, 2010 @12:18AM (#1326699)

This is poignant as I'm trying to figure this out for one of my projects right now.

I think the key is in being succinct.

Strangely, I haven't been able to find the purpose of Apple.

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Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by nostromo on Friday May 07, 2010 @12:56AM (#1326751)

I don't think Apple's purpose is bigger than their products. I think their products are their purpose -- and their purpose seems to make products with the best user experience in their field. And money - gobs and gobs of money.

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Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by faramarz on Friday May 07, 2010 @12:32AM (#1326717)

Apple's purpose is to make you feel good. They do that superbly.

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Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by pedalpete on Friday May 07, 2010 @11:02AM (#1327759)

kinda threw-up in my mouth a bit when I read that. thanks

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Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by jacquesm on Friday May 07, 2010 @08:55AM (#1327411)

Apple: we're the eyes, ears and voices of the web

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Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by bjoernw on Friday May 07, 2010 @02:10AM (#1326836)

www.23andme.com

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Re:Ask HN: Which companies have a purpose bigger than their ... by wakeupthedawn on Friday May 07, 2010 @03:07AM (#1326911)

Why would a company's purpose ever be smaller than their product?

Isn't purpose really just a way of articulating the company's ideal long-term vision?

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