Microsoft's Salary Spreadsheet Movement

Richard Barton built multiple billion-dollar companies based on a single thesis: "Information wants to be free." His approach focused on bringing transparency to traditionally opaque industries, disrupting existing gatekeepers and intermediaries.

Key Points:

• Core Business Philosophy:

  • Information should be freely accessible
  • Target industries that lack transparency
  • Disrupt traditional gatekeepers who control information

• Successful Applications:

  • Zillow: Made MLS listings public, bypassing real estate agents
  • Expedia: Eliminated need for travel agents by showing flight options directly
  • Glassdoor: Revealed real workplace conditions despite employer resistance

• Modern Examples of Information Gatekeeping:

  • Enterprise Software: Pricing often hidden behind "call for pricing" models
  • Freelancer/Agency Quality: Difficult to assess before engagement
  • Internal Salary Data:
    • Companies like Levels.fyi focusing on tech industry compensation
    • Employees creating anonymous spreadsheets to share salary information
    • Growing movement for internal company transparency

• Areas Ripe for Transparency:

  • Enterprise software pricing
  • Freelancer and agency performance metrics
  • Internal company compensation data
  • Software platform experiences post-signup

• Impact:

  • Democratizes access to information
  • Reduces dependency on intermediaries
  • Empowers consumer decision-making
  • Creates billion-dollar business opportunities