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Revision as of 01:18, 14 March 2004 by Djinn112 (talk | contribs) (more punctuation)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)In the South Park episode entitled "Gnomes (Underpants Gnomes)", The Underpants Gnomes are a community of underground gnomes who collect underpants.
The Underpants Gnomes have a three-step business plan, consisting of:
- Collect underpants
- ???
- Profit!
Where none of the gnomes actually knows what the second step is, and all of them assume someone else within the organization does.
A similar business model is also found in one episode of Arthur, where an organization of pets form the Sock Exchange.
The gnomes specifically satirise dotcom businesses with poorly devised business models, although the satire lends itself to any ill-conceived business plan.
The three step business plan has become a recurring joke on websites like Slashdot and other sites, with various things substituted for item 1. See Slashdot subculture.