In the classic economic model, the perfect outcome for the rapid growth of a platform is to try to create a network effect. In simple terms, a network effect refers to any situation in which the value of a product, service, or platform depends on the number of buyers, sellers, or users who leverage it. Typically, the greater the number of buyers, sellers, or users, the greater the network effect.
Most big companies, brands or consumers do not buy a pig in a poke before they sample the bacon. And in certain economic instances having to “pay to play ” is standard operating procedure. And finally, politics in general. Campaign contributions et alia. You and your company want to profit, and so you pay/contribute/donate something hoping to get something back of greater value.
I have a little company that ran into this buzzsaw recently. They were going to do something to make the other company money, and that company wanted them to pay upfront for the privilege of doing that. They thought their asset was their access to who they knew. Their “list.” If this is so obvious, why is it so often difficult to convince the other guy of the value of cooperation?