Underpants Gnomes

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:

1. Collect underpants
2. ???
3. 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 Slashdot, with various things substituted for item 1. See Slashdot trolling phenomena.