Without exception, the most valuable companies in the world 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.

Summary: Without exception, the most valuable companies in the world 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.

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 platforms 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 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 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 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 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

Key Benefits

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 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

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Inside the Classroom

See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Understanding the Case Method

Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.

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

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Inside the Classroom

See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Understanding the Case Method

Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.

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.

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.

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.

Admissions Criteria and Process

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. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals 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.

What You Will Learn

Featuring a blend of dynamic lectures and topical case studies, this program examines the current state of platform businesses and explores new frontiers on the horizon. It also takes a closer look at the different aspects of network effects.

What You Will Learn: Featuring a blend of dynamic lectures and topical case studies, this program examines the current state of platform businesses and explores new frontiers on the horizon. It also takes a closer look at the different aspects of network effects.

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Building a platform business Building a platform business

Identifying different "market sides" of a platform business, solving chicken-or-egg problems, designing a profitable business model, and governing a platform and its ecosystem
Exploring different sources of value in a platform business
Applying insights about why some platforms thrive—and others don't—as well as outlining the challenges to launch a successful platform business
Creating a platform that is relevant to a broad cross-section of traditional markets

Managing challenges in a platform business Managing challenges in a platform business

Studying the underlying economics that lead to sub-optimal outcomes in a platform business
Anticipating and avoiding problems associated with building an innovation or a transaction platform
Understanding the dynamics, limitations, and subtleties of networks and ecosystems
Recognizing how markets can tip and cause spectacular returns or devastating losses
Addressing governance issues caused by bad actors, counterfeit products, antitrust violations, and the merging of platforms

Engaging with platforms Engaging with platforms

Developing a plan and process for interacting with a platform business
Turning products into platforms that can compete in traditional or digital marketplaces
Transforming a business by incorporating complementary platforms in the digital economy
Understanding the "rules" of a platform and its implications for success as a business

Discovering new frontiers in platform technologies and markets Discovering new frontiers in platform technologies and markets

Exploring new and future platforms, such as self-driving cars, quantum computing, and gene editing
Analyzing how voice interfaces and AI technology, such as in Siri and Alexa, will likely develop into hybrid platforms for innovation and transactions

Key Topics

Building a platform business

Identifying different "market sides" of a platform business, solving chicken-or-egg problems, designing a profitable business model, and governing a platform and its ecosystem
Exploring different sources of value in a platform business
Applying insights about why some platforms thrive—and others don't—as well as outlining the challenges to launch a successful platform business
Creating a platform that is relevant to a broad cross-section of traditional markets

Managing challenges in a platform business

Studying the underlying economics that lead to sub-optimal outcomes in a platform business
Anticipating and avoiding problems associated with building an innovation or a transaction platform
Understanding the dynamics, limitations, and subtleties of networks and ecosystems
Recognizing how markets can tip and cause spectacular returns or devastating losses
Addressing governance issues caused by bad actors, counterfeit products, antitrust violations, and the merging of platforms

Engaging with platforms

Developing a plan and process for interacting with a platform business
Turning products into platforms that can compete in traditional or digital marketplaces
Transforming a business by incorporating complementary platforms in the digital economy
Understanding the "rules" of a platform and its implications for success as a business

Discovering new frontiers in platform technologies and markets

Exploring new and future platforms, such as self-driving cars, quantum computing, and gene editing
Analyzing how voice interfaces and AI technology, such as in Siri and Alexa, will likely develop into hybrid platforms for innovation and transactions

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by top faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

David B. Yoffie

Max and Doris Starr Professor of International Business Administration. Member of the Strategy Unit and faculty chair of "Competing in the Age of Digital Platforms."

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Faculty

Michael A. Cusumano

Sloan Distinguished Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Read Full Bio

Annabelle Gawer

Chaired Professor in Digital Economy and the Director of the Centre of Digital Economy at the University of Surrey.

Read Full Bio

Andy Wu

Assistant Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Strategy Unit.

Read Full Bio

Feng Zhu

Piramal Associate Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Technology and Operations Management Unit.

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by top faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

David B. Yoffie

Max and Doris Starr Professor of International Business Administration. Member of the Strategy Unit and faculty chair of "Competing in the Age of Digital Platforms."

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Michael A. Cusumano

Sloan Distinguished Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Read Full Bio

Annabelle Gawer

Chaired Professor in Digital Economy and the Director of the Centre of Digital Economy at the University of Surrey.

Read Full Bio

Andy Wu

Assistant Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Strategy Unit.

Read Full Bio

Feng Zhu

Piramal Associate Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Technology and Operations Management Unit.

Read Full Bio

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More Admissions Information

Program content, dates, fees, 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.

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Competing in the Age of Digital Platforms

Summary

Summary

DetailsExpand AllCollapse All

Compete in the age of digital platformsCompete in the age of digital platforms Dropdown down

Understand the unique dynamics of platform businesses and marketsUnderstand the unique dynamics of platform businesses and markets Dropdown down

Manage platforms as a successful businessManage platforms as a successful business Dropdown down

Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network Dropdown down

Compete in the age of digital platforms

Understand the unique dynamics of platform businesses and markets

Manage platforms as a successful business

Expand your personal and professional network

Who Should Attend

Learning and Living at HBS

Learning and Living at HBS