Necessity is the mother of all inventions?

Necessity is the mother of all inventions? Maybe, but did we really "need" a YouTube? The answer is no, the world would still be spinning if it had not been created. This then brings up a question about invention. What was the reasoning behind the creation of YouTube and many other "big things"?

A business plan? Nope
A need by the world? Nope again, plenty of video sharing services already existed

YouTube was created simply because the founders, Chad Hurley and Steve Chen had a PERSONAL desire to create something primarily for their own use. Having started PalmGear.com (originally known as PilotGear.com) quite a few years ago the similarities in the creation of YouTube and PalmGear struck a chord with me. Neither had a set business plan or for that matter any real goals at the onset for the creations to become what they did. Yes, they did beleive there was a business to be made though a primary driver was simply they wanted a way to easily upload their own videos, born of an idea they got at a dinner party where they and others had been taking digital videos and pictures.

Of course YouTube has grown to be much more. The point here is that it was not an established company that set up meetings, spent money on research, found a void in the market and then created a product to fill that need. This is sort of creativity is what has brought out many of the "Next big things" and will continue to do so. In short, if YouTube had not turned into the success it has the founders would probably still be happy. Of course the definition of the realized success in this instance boils down to success for whom? In financial terms it has been a success for very few; the founders, the initial shareholders who were/are employees and of course the VC firms that backed them and reaped the rewards of the Google $1.6 BILLION buy out. It certainly was not a success prior to that since you have to take into consideration that they were bleeding to the tune of millions of dollars per month just in bandwidth fees.

So, what does this little diatribe have to do with anything? Simply put the "next big thing" will most likely not come from a company we know today, it will come from out in left field. From another couple guys like Chad and Steve. Examples abound; Jobs & Wozniak>Apple, Jeff Hawkins & Donna Dubinski>Palm.com and on and on. This brings to the crux of my moral for this story, CEO's LISTEN UP, this is for you:

If your company is doing well enough, i.e. take care of your core business first so as to make sure you can support this sort of endeavor and history is fraught with companies going under while they wait to turn a profit and continue to try to "create", then set up an incubation lab. I use the term "incubation lab" for sake of a better term since what I really mean is that you should put some of your brightest stars, probably unknowns in the company, in a position where they can work in total isolation and comfort. Their sole job is to pursue and create ideas that energize them. Leave them alone, do not require they participate (unless absolutely necessary to put out a fire or what not) in the day to day of the business. Their goal is to brainstorm. I have been fortunate to have the honor of working with and becoming great friends with an individual who fits this sort of role to perfection. His name is Taylor Brockman and he is one of the original founders of Pinpoint Networks, now known as Motricity.com. Taylor is one of the, if not THE most intelligent individuals I have ever met. But he is much more, he has a unique personality in that in addition to his extreme intellect (I have no doubt if he took an IQ test it would be off the scale) is one of those individuals who is extremely outgoing, affable, approachable and sees the big picture.

Before any of you who know me, or think you do, take this out of context and assume that this post is one where I am throwing a dart at Motricity, step back. That is not the case, and quite frankly since my departing Motricity earlier this year I really do not know what role Taylor is filling right now. It may be one that fits or may not. The point is not whether Motricity is giving him the freedom to dream, it is that too many companies are missing out on the next big thing by shackling their brightest stars.

Of all the "big things" that have came out over the years here are some thoughts to take with you;

-How many failures were there before a success?

-Of the successes, how many would never have taken that first step if they had known on day one all the trials and tribulations they would have to endure? Getting funding, legal fees, hiring bizdev folks, etc., etc. Remember, many of the "big things" were not created with the end-all goal of being the huge success that they ended up achieving.

If you are not in a position to set up someone like Taylor in an incubator, then do the following:

-Find your own Taylor Brockman and learn from them, listen to them and let them be your mentor

-Understand that nobody today knows what the "next big thing" will be, keep your ears and eyes open

My hat is off to you the founders of YouTube and as well a huge YOU DA' MAN out to my friend Taylor.

PS... Taylor is getting married next spring, so if you are very young watch out since his kids will surely be inspired as well!