ABSTRACT

During the last decade, platform businesses such as Uber, Airbnb, Amazon and eBay have been taking over the world. In almost every sector, traditional businesses are under attack from digital disrupters that are effectively harnessing the power of communities. But what exactly is a platform business and why is it different? In Platform Strategy, Laure Claire Reillier and Benoit Reillier provide a practical guide for students, digital entrepreneurs and executives to understand what platforms are, how they work and how you can build one successfully.

Using their own "rocket model" and original case studies (including Google, Apple, Amazon), they explain how designing, igniting and scaling a platform business requires learning a whole new set of management rules. Platform Strategy also offers many fascinating insights into the future of platforms, their regulation and governance, as well as how they can be combined with other business models.

Benoit Reillier and Laure Claire Reillier are co-founders of Launchworks, a leading advisory firm focused on helping organizations develop and scale innovative business models.

chapter 1|9 pages

Introduction to platform businesses

chapter 2|10 pages

The meteoric rise of platform businesses

chapter 3|11 pages

What is a platform business?

chapter 4|9 pages

Economic characteristics of platforms

chapter 5|16 pages

Platforms as business models

chapter 6|17 pages

Platform-powered ecosystems

chapter 7|17 pages

Life stages of platforms

Design

chapter 8|14 pages

Platform ignition

Proving the concept

chapter 9|16 pages

Platform scaling

Reaching critical mass

chapter 10|16 pages

Platform maturity

Defending profitable growth

chapter 11|16 pages

Platform pricing

chapter 12|20 pages

Trust, governance and brand

chapter 13|20 pages

Platforms, regulation and competition

chapter 14|13 pages

Competing against platforms

chapter 15|11 pages

The future of platforms