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The Business of Platforms audiobook

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The Business of Platforms Audiobook Summary

A trio of experts on high-tech business strategy and innovation reveal the principles that have made platform businesses the most valuable firms in the world and the first trillion-dollar companies.

Managers and entrepreneurs in the digital era must learn to live in two worlds–the conventional economy and the platform economy. Platforms that operate for business purposes usually exist at the level of an industry or ecosystem, bringing together individuals and organizations so they can innovate and interact in ways not otherwise possible. Platforms create economic value far beyond what we see in conventional companies.

The Business of Platforms is an invaluable, in-depth look at platform strategy and digital innovation. Cusumano, Gawer, and Yoffie address how a small number of companies have come to exert extraordinary influence over every dimension of our personal, professional, and political lives. They explain how these new entities differ from the powerful corporations of the past. They also question whether there are limits to the market dominance and expansion of these digital juggernauts. Finally, they discuss the role governments should play in rethinking data privacy laws, antitrust, and other regulations that could reign in abuses from these powerful businesses.

Their goal is to help managers and entrepreneurs build platform businesses that can stand the test of time and win their share of battles with both digital and conventional competitors. As experts who have studied and worked with these firms for some thirty years, this book is the most authoritative and timely investigation yet of the powerful economic and technological forces that make platform businesses, from Amazon and Apple to Microsoft, Facebook, and Google–all dominant players in shaping the global economy, the future of work, and the political world we now face.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

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The Business of Platforms Audiobook Narrator

Sean Patrick Hopkins is the narrator of The Business of Platforms audiobook that was written by Michael A. Cusumano

Michael A. Cusumano is the SMR Distinguished Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He has been a dean and vice president at Tokyo University of Science and has published over 130 articles and 13 books, including Competing on Internet Time and Strategy Rules (both with David Yoffie), Platform Leadership (with Annabelle Gawer), as well as Microsoft Secrets (with Richard Selby), The Business of Software, and Staying Power.  He lives in Groton and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

 

About the Author(s) of The Business of Platforms

Michael A. Cusumano is the author of The Business of Platforms

More From the Same

The Business of Platforms Full Details

Narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins
Length 8 hours 7 minutes
Author Michael A. Cusumano
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date May 07, 2019
ISBN 9780062944757

Subjects

The publisher of the The Business of Platforms is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Business & Economics, E-Commerce, General

Additional info

The publisher of the The Business of Platforms is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062944757.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Vivify

July 16, 2019

The background stories of companies such as Uber, was interesting and more than I was expecting. That alone, made this worth the read.I appreciated that the book wasn't trying to sell any trend, and took a pragmatic and sober look at the topic. I found myself coming away with the disconcerting sense that the business of platforms are very complicated and unpredictable. But, found the formal definitions and practical considerations useful. The thoughts on ethics and social factors, were more than lip service. And, I was happy that it engaged me on more than a commercial business level. One things that stood out was what is possible even in regulatory, and seemingly restrictive environments, such as the US government.

Paddy

December 08, 2019

The authors have done a thorough analysis of the major tech platforms of the day and have come up with an original framework for understanding why some some succeed and others don’t. Why does a scrappy startup in a Harvard dorm go on to world domination while big companies like GE and Walmart spend hundreds of billions and remain largely irrelevant ? Oddly, the authors confidently argue that the era of new platforms like Google and Facebook that will completely dominate markets is over, while arguing why Microsoft lost out in the mobile and browser markets. If history is anything to go by, we’re all just waiting for the next Google of quantum computing ( which may well be Google) or the Amazon of voice recognition ( which may well be Amazon). The authors also point to the dangers to society of abuse by dominant firms like Amazon, Google, and Facebook who pay billions in fines and carry on with their business as if nothing matters. The underlying message in the book is clear: big tech firms will either collapse under their own weight or will need to broken up if we are to be saved from them. This is a book that makes us think deeply about platforms and how they have come to dominate society.

Sam

December 05, 2021

The best thing about this book is the profound approach, which authors took to create it. The book is based on their more than 3 decades of experience and research of the platform phenomena. I liked the conceptual differentiation between transaction/innovation platforms. I'm not sure how useful this book will be in the years to come, but right now I can say that this is must read for IT managers and entrepreneurs.Main points:1) Critical issues impacting the dynamics of platform businesses:- Network effects- Multi-homing- Differentiation and niche competition- Barriers to entry2) Strategy and business models- Main agent of the platform- Chicken-or-egg problem- Right business-model- Ecosystem rules3) Common mistakes- Mispricing one side of the platform- Failing to develop trust- Dismissing the competition- Miss the opportunity window4) New tricks for old dogs - BBBBelong, buy or build5) Platform burden- Platform bulling- Trust balance- Contractor/employee- Self-regulation

Victo

August 30, 2020

Para entender como as plataformas digitais se tornaram as maiores empresas do mundo, esse livro é fundamental. O foco não recai apenas sobre GAFAM (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft), mas diversos casos das big five servem de exemplo para entendermos a diferença entre plataformas inovativas e plataformas transacionais. Há diversas lições para gestores, especialmente quanto aos principais desafios (precificação, construção de confiança no ecossistema) e quando uma empresa tradicional decide entrar no mundo digital. Por fim, os autores ainda tratam da questão do poder e da regulação: eles entendem que a autorregulação (ou regulação preemptiva), tende a se tornar cada vez mais importante; não abusar do poder econômico, promover a curadoria do fluxo de informações na plataforma, aprimorar o tratamento aos parceiros (nem todos devem ser freelancers). Em suma, os autores observam um amadurecimento das plataformas, deixando de serem startups e assumindo responsabilidades por se tornarem negócios globais. Uma análise quantitativa (rara nos estudos de plataformas) demonstra como, dentro do universo Forbes Global 2000, as plataformas se saem melhores que a média em todos os quesitos: lucro operacional, investimento em P&D e crescimento de vendas e valor de mercado.

Nanda

June 10, 2019

The Business of Platforms was my first book on platform business models. 4.5 stars, for authors', consideration of his audience. I think it is going to be hard to find another introductory book on Platforms business models. 4.0 stars, for the structure of the content and the case studies discussed in each part. 3.5 stars on suggested practical actions; most are hypothesis based on the history of platforms, there is no useful framework or suggestion a reader can take to understand the business of platform much narrow and deeper. Overall 4-stars and this will be my first suggestion for any who wants an introductory on Business of Platforms.

Rafael

May 29, 2019

Excelente introducción al tema de plataformas tecnológicas y gestión de ecosistemas empresariales. Como ha sido ampliamente documentado, la organización de las actividades económicas está basada cada vez más en ecosistemas orquestados por plataformas tecnológicas que permiten la innovación abierta y/o conectan a oferentes y demandantes como era imposible antes del advenimiento de los mobiles y las tecnologías digitales. Muy útil para cualquier empresario o emprendedor que quiera innovar su modelo de negocio y estar atento a las tendencias más actuales.

Salvatore

February 13, 2020

A Primer for those interested in Digital Platforms:This is an excellent primer on digital platforms written by known scholars in the field. I think it would be great for everyone who seeks a greater understanding of digital platforms. The book is rich in content and covers the essentials on digital platforms from a business-oriented perspective. Overall, the book has given me a greater understanding of digital platforms and industry dynamics. For the curious Joe, the book is a good start and an appetizer. Hence, the book deserves its four stars. If your curiosity has not been satiated the book provides many references for further reading. The authors themselves have worked extensively on that subject which I recommend as well.

Denis

March 09, 2020

This books explains platform concept in a simple yet good way. Provides examples from past and present. Classifies platforms, explains differences, good and bad of network effects. Shows how platforms develop in time and require new ways of treating their agents. Still I find this book too short and shallow for the such important and huge topic.

Karen

January 03, 2021

Well structured book for learning the positives and negatives about platforms. The example stories were relevant without becoming too drawn out. Recommend this book for companies seeking network effects from a platform.

Charles

September 07, 2021

Some good content in there

Sue

July 06, 2019

Very good summary of platform business model.

Mike

January 29, 2020

Really, really good and worthwhile.

Ken

June 01, 2019

Short, but informative book.

Dirk

January 10, 2023

Good read about multi sided platform businesses.

Tom

December 31, 2020

Very relevant for my role at IKEA

Rajkiran

June 21, 2019

Excellent book. Very insightful with latest examples !

Sharon

December 04, 2019

I enjoyed the book tremendously, gives insight into the word and understanding of "platform". Digital strategy in the age of digital competition. Relevant to every business person who wants that competitive edge.

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