Who doesn’t love free stuff!?

Things have changed.  Free stuff used to be considered cheap.  It’s now a bargain.  Aren’t those two things the same?

Nice things were coveted when I was growing up.  Social media did not exist, but showing off your fancy clothes or accessories was the thing to do.  These days, people like to talk about how much they saved and show off the deals they got.  

It’s different, but not better or worse.  Younger generations are more about the value of their possessions.  On the contrary, they are also very interested in their vanity.

Changing Generations

It seems to me that many trends in society are cyclical (fashion, finance, business, etc.).  This is a result of one generation making changes to the systems of the previous generation.  

Somewhere along the line, millennials decided to stop spending money on fancy “stuff” and began spending it elsewhere.  We still need stuff though.  So, what do we do?  We try to buy cheap things.  Then, we celebrate.

My mom always talks about this Triumph Spitfire that she used to have.  It was a pretty neat car back then.  I’m sure she would cruise that thing around East Islip, New York like the queen.  Was “neat” the word for nice back then?   

I had a much different experience with my first car.  My Aunt Didi passed away when I was in high school.  She left me $3,000.  I took that money and found the best deal I could find on a car.  I picked out a gold (mocha was the actual name of the color, gross) Ford Probe.  I showed that thing off like it was a Lamborghini.  But, I told everyone that I spent $3,000 on it.  I celebrated the bargain more than the car.

I think it’s safest to say that somehow Generation X transitioned from my Mom’s (Baby Boomer) way to mine (millennial).  Once again, I am not indicating either way is right or wrong. 

You might say from a financial responsibility perspective that the millennial way of saving over spending is better, but that’s too much generalization for me.  Businesses are aware of the bargain culture and as much as you might believe in the integrity of your favorite brands, they don’t give away free things out of flawless generosity.  There is a strategy.

Software as a Service

I will move to the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry to illustrate the above point.  Technology has lead all of us (assuming you are reading this on an electronic device, unless someone printed it for you) to use software, which is simply:

The programs and other operating information used by a computer

Computers are great, but if there is nothing for them to do, they are useless.  Initially, software was something that you would buy for your computer (in some cases its price was rolled up into the computer that you bought).  Once you acquired it, you would have to load it on your computer.  Remember floppy disks?  CDs?  I remember it taking five disks and eight hours to load a video game on my machine.  And forget the frustration if you needed an “update”.  

Somewhere along the line, information technology became fast enough to eliminate the need for sending out updates on disks to millions of people.  Software companies began to “push” out updates electronically.  Now, even the main programs are send out over the Internet or not even sent out.  Some software is all internet based.  You don’t need to download a full program to use the service (Zoom is a great example from today’s world).

The evolving software industry has lead to a more nimble space.  Things can change very fast and companies can adapt their product much more quickly.  I don’t have experience working in that environment, but I am sure it changes the internal workings of an organization.  I do however, have experience being the customer asking for immediate assistance (guilty!).  

Software has now become a service.  You subscribe to the the service and instead of paying a one time cost to obtain the software, you pay an ongoing fee for the software and the continuous support that is needed.  It makes much more sense to me.  

In order to get people to experience the benefits of their software, companies need to allow consumers to try what they have.  In such a busy society, most people will not commit to an ongoing service if it’s not the perfect timing and they aren't convinced it will make their life or business better.  Gone are the severely limited trial versions that you really can’t fully test let alone trust.  Now, many companies are providing an extensive trial period (14 days, 30 days, etc) where you can use most of their software with full support.  Even after your trial period is over, many have a free version that is fully functional.  If they are giving you all that for free, can you imagine what they’ll give you if you pay?! 

Here are some good examples (there are many):

Calendly for scheduling

Squarespace for web design and hosting

Semrush for internet marketing analytics

The strategy provides a “giveaway” that will hopefully lead to a paying customer.  I don’t see the free users raising the costs of business all too much.  So a software organization can take on numerous free users.  It’s part of their advertising.  They attract people by giving them something free (which is popular now), and convert them into paying customers.

The lesson is to be careful how many free things you take on.  It’s like shopping in the sweet smelling candy aisle of software.  If you’re on ten free trials, you are on the path to paying for ten services in a month.  

This is not a criticism of software companies.  It’s simply a warning to limit your wants and use trial periods to evaluate rather than acquire at a discount.  Well run companies are worth the investment and should be expected to seek customers after giving some of their offering away for free.

I am in full support of businesses that have a strategy and the transparent services and pricing pages that many SaaS companies deploy.  I think it makes the market more efficient and provides a better experience.  But that’s business.  

Your philanthropy is not a SasS company and should not be run like a business (save good organization and due diligence). 

Selfish or Selfless?

The world would greatly benefit from more generosity.  It may be semantics, but that is better than additional donations.  Generosity denotes kindness and giving beyond what is expected.  There is a selfless aspect.

When you give to a charity (whether time, talents, or treasures), it should be without expectation of remuneration.  This is not in spite of impact investing (see Speaking of Impact episode 8), which is a totally acceptable practice.  But, a donation is a gift.  

Giving should also not be done for an impression as stated in the E-Impact Blog on December 15, 2020.  

If you have a “plan” or “strategy” for selfish gain related to your giving, something is wrong.  Tax deductions are one thing, but if your generosity is not the primary reason for your giving, please reconsider.

It’s important to note that you often receive much in return for your giving.  It’s not monetary.  It’s the pleasure of helping others.  It’s an incomparable delight.   

In Thursday’s episode of Speaking of Impact (28), you’ll hear from John Bromley of Charitable Impact talk about the need to support donors and give them an experience in their charitable endeavors.  It is more than a money transaction.  

Fully selfless giving yields a win-win-win situation (kind of like John Balkam’s 3 Win sponsorship from Speaking of Impact episode 12).

The beneficiary of the charitable cause, the charity, and the donor all give and receive with a truly selfless gift.  

I encourage you, as we are past the holiday “giving” season, to keep with the giving spirit, the true giving spirit-one devoid of vanity and full of value for those around you.  

It’s not about me.  Now what?

Are you looking for some ideas?

Business Insider provides 11 Things That You Can Give That Don’t Cost Money.  I particularly like number seven.  Honor is greatly missing from our activities these days.  Show some respect and you’ll be surprised what happens.

Respect is ultimately given.  One can try to earn as much of it as possible, but it only comes when another party provides it.  I would guess that a respectful party is more likely to receive respect than one that lacks it.  

My best suggestion if you don’t have material possessions, money, or time that you can giveaway is to give out free kindness.  Provide people with a nice feeling or some confidence in their ability.  Maybe give your local cashier (as they are being replaced by e-commerce) an unexpected compliment.  Tell the manager of your favorite restaurant (whether take out or in person during the pandemic) about the great service someone provided.  

Building small habits of generosity will make even greater things possible.  Consistency will get you there.  See last week’s E-Impact entry and the entry from December fifteenth about impressions for more musings on consistency.

Intentional Impact Initiatives

When your “charitable giveaways” are about value and not vanity, you’ll be likely to find an intentional impact initiative.  Something will stick out.  You’ll feel a calling to help somebody.  It will be naturally and fully selfless.  It will not take an ounce of energy to suppress any selfish thoughts.  It’s beautiful.  

If you wondering why I am so passionate about this subject, I am not totally sure.  It’s nothing that I have created.  Giving has been around forever.

Here’s a pretty slick (baby boomer substitute “neat”, gen Z “fire”, for slick) infographic on the history of charitable giving.

2500 BCE was a long time ago!  We are certainly not pioneers of charity.  We are just the next in line with great responsibility.  Own it.

Check out Good360 for a modern look at giving and supporting multiple causes.  Business people can check out the  quote, “Doing good is also good for the bottom line” on the corporate partners page.

The Buffet 

If you ever get stuck on a road trip with me you might find yourself at a Golden Corral (only option now that Sweet Tomatoes is closed).  I love to eat.  Sadly, digestive issues have prevented me from that joy.  In the past, the buffet was an amazing experience for me because I always felt I could get the best deal in the restaurant industry every time I partook.  Every bit of food I stuffed down my throat after my first plate was free!  

I am reconsidering my strategy these days.  I should not be seeking massive amount of food “giveaways” every time I eat out.  That’s selfish.  It’s also unhealthy and was at times for the vanity of an eating competition (formal or not) victory.  

I’m more interested in being behind the buffet now.  I also have a not so private dream of owning a Golden Corral someday.  I’ll be passing out mashed potatoes and fried okra like they’re going out of style!  And you may have to keep me away from the chocolate fountain, but everyone has their temptations.

Thanks for valuing the E-Impact Blog.  I struggle to promote these writings for fear of vanity, but I am learning that a good message is best heard regardless of how.  

If you have a positive idea.  Share it.  

Give away your wisdom.  For free.