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Competing in the Age of Digital Platforms

Competing in the Age of Digital Platforms
David Yoffie

"Platforms are big business. The world is moving in this direction and companies need to understand the implications."

David B. Yoffie
Faculty Chair
Learn More
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Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
David Yoffie

"Platforms are big business. The world is moving in this direction and companies need to understand the implications."

David B. Yoffie
Faculty Chair
Learn More
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Summary

The vast majority of the world's most valuable companies today are platforms: Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, and many other firms have built their fortunes by facilitating innovation across global ecosystems or enabling the broad exchange of goods and services. There are different paths to success in the digital world, whether a company wants to compete as a new platform or to leverage an existing platform for competitive advantage. This program will show you how to create sustainable value whether you are competing as, with, or against digital platforms.

This program is eligible for the Digital Transformation Certificate. Learn More

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Summary

The vast majority of the world's most valuable companies today are platforms: Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, and many other firms have built their fortunes by facilitating innovation across global ecosystems or enabling the broad exchange of goods and services. There are different paths to success in the digital world, whether a company wants to compete as a new platform or to leverage an existing platform for competitive advantage. This program will show you how to create sustainable value whether you are competing as, with, or against digital platforms.

This program is eligible for the Digital Transformation Certificate. Learn More

Key Benefits
For business leaders, platforms present enormous opportunities but also pose serious risks. Competing in what have been called “multi-sided markets driven by network effects” is often akin to playing three-dimensional chess. By examining the essential strategic insights of platform businesses and markets, this program will help you maximize the value and minimize the costs of creating, managing, or engaging with platforms.

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Compete in the age of digital platformsCompete in the age of digital platforms
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  • Develop strategies for creating, managing, or engaging with digital platforms that deliver a competitive advantage
  • Understand the core fundamentals of how to launch and maintain a platform business so you can outperform digital and conventional competitors
  • Troubleshoot problems associated with developing, overseeing, or interacting with a platform business
Understand the unique dynamics of platform businesses and marketsUnderstand the unique dynamics of platform businesses and markets
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  • Identify the critical factors that cause a platform business to succeed or fail as well as determine how to reinvigorate a struggling platform
  • Recognize the social and ethical responsibilities that come with creating or leveraging a platform business
  • Address governance issues, such as what you allow businesses, governments, and/or consumers to do with your platform and how to prevent misuse or abuse of platform capabilities
  • Understand the influence of data privacy laws, antitrust, and other regulations
Manage platforms as a successful businessManage platforms as a successful business
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  • Maximize value for your business by interacting with the right platforms in the right way
  • Manage challenges associated with belonging to or building, owning, or operating a platform
  • Explore options for responding to platform competitors
  • Know the steps to take to “buy” a platform to accelerate time to market
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
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  • Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
  • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Key Benefits Dropdown up

Key Benefits Dropdown down

For business leaders, platforms present enormous opportunities but also pose serious risks. Competing in what have been called “multi-sided markets driven by network effects” is often akin to playing three-dimensional chess. By examining the essential strategic insights of platform businesses and markets, this program will help you maximize the value and minimize the costs of creating, managing, or engaging with platforms.
Details

Compete in the age of digital platforms

  • Develop strategies for creating, managing, or engaging with digital platforms that deliver a competitive advantage
  • Understand the core fundamentals of how to launch and maintain a platform business so you can outperform digital and conventional competitors
  • Troubleshoot problems associated with developing, overseeing, or interacting with a platform business

Understand the unique dynamics of platform businesses and markets

  • Identify the critical factors that cause a platform business to succeed or fail as well as determine how to reinvigorate a struggling platform
  • Recognize the social and ethical responsibilities that come with creating or leveraging a platform business
  • Address governance issues, such as what you allow businesses, governments, and/or consumers to do with your platform and how to prevent misuse or abuse of platform capabilities
  • Understand the influence of data privacy laws, antitrust, and other regulations

Manage platforms as a successful business

  • Maximize value for your business by interacting with the right platforms in the right way
  • Manage challenges associated with belonging to or building, owning, or operating a platform
  • Explore options for responding to platform competitors
  • Know the steps to take to “buy” a platform to accelerate time to market

Expand your personal and professional network

  • Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
  • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

  • C-level or senior leaders engaged in strategic planning or developing new businesses at companies in any industry (e.g., technology, retail, financial services, auto, insurance, consumer products, etc.)
  • Senior leaders who want to work more effectively with platforms or respond to new opportunities in the business of platforms
  • Senior leaders overseeing specific platforms at large platform organizations
  • Entrepreneurs and startup founders of platform businesses
  • Board members interested in exploring or understanding platform businesses

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience
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Inside the ClassroomInside the Classroom
See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
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Play video
We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
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Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
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Who Should Attend Dropdown down

Who Should Attend Dropdown down

  • C-level or senior leaders engaged in strategic planning or developing new businesses at companies in any industry (e.g., technology, retail, financial services, auto, insurance, consumer products, etc.)
  • Senior leaders who want to work more effectively with platforms or respond to new opportunities in the business of platforms
  • Senior leaders overseeing specific platforms at large platform organizations
  • Entrepreneurs and startup founders of platform businesses
  • Board members interested in exploring or understanding platform businesses

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience
Play video
Play video
Inside the ClassroomInside the Classroom
See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Play video
Play video
We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Play video
Play video
Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Previous Next

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

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Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.
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Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee’s decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee’s decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.
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More Admissions Information
Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.
David Yoffie

"Platforms are big business. The world is moving in this direction and companies need to understand the implications."

David B. Yoffie
Faculty Chair
Learn More
Apply
Download Brochure
Program Finder
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
David Yoffie

"Platforms are big business. The world is moving in this direction and companies need to understand the implications."

David B. Yoffie
Faculty Chair
Learn More
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
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