Competing in the Age of Digital Platforms
- Dates: 07–10 MAY 2023
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $11,250
"Platforms are big business. The world is moving in this direction and companies need to understand the implications."
"Platforms are big business. The world is moving in this direction and companies need to understand the implications."
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
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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
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Compete in the age of digital platformsCompete 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 marketsUnderstand 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 businessManage 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 networkExpand 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
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.
- 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.
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.
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Learning and Living at HBS
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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
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
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.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
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What You Will Learn
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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.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
Building a platform businessBuilding 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 businessManaging 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 platformsEngaging 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
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.
Max and Doris Starr Professor of International Business Administration
Sloan Distinguished Professor of Management
Professor of Business Administration
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The HBS Advantage
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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
Max and Doris Starr Professor of International Business Administration
HBS Unit:StrategyFacultyMIT Sloan School of Management:Sloan Distinguished Professor of Management
Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Technology and Operations Management
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroomGlobal PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom7%Africa13%Asia Pacific30%Europe25%Latin America7%Middle East18%North America7%Africa13%Asia Pacific30%Europe25%Latin America7%Middle East18%North AmericaTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.36%Financial13%Consumer Products11%High Technology5%Communications5%Manufacturing5%Professional Services5%Retail Services3%Real Estate / Construction3%Education2%AgricultureTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.36%Financial13%Consumer Products11%High Technology5%Communications5%Manufacturing5%Professional Services5%Retail Services3%Real Estate / Construction3%Education2%AgricultureExperienceExperienceYears WorkedYears WorkedExperienceYears WorkedLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 or more40 or moreLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 or more40 or more
"Platforms are big business. The world is moving in this direction and companies need to understand the implications."
"Platforms are big business. The world is moving in this direction and companies need to understand the implications."