Concept · Sales & Marketing Frameworks
Net Promoter Score
Origin: Fred Reichheld (2003)
Biological Parallel
Vampire bats share blood meals with roostmates, but only after tracking who reciprocated in the past. Researchers measure "bat NPS" by observing which individuals actively recruit others to feeding sites versus which are ignored or avoided. Net Promoter Score mirrors reputation-based referral behavior: promoters actively recruit (blood sharers), passives are neutral (occasional sharers), detractors warn others away (cheaters). Social animals have been measuring "would you recommend?" for millions of years through behavioral referrals.