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Daniel Trabucchi and Tommaso Buganza

Over the last two decades, platforms have transformed the way, we search for information (e.g., Google), buy goods (e.g., Amazon), consume news and media (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) and travel and move around (e.g., Airbnb, Booking.com, Uber and TripAdvisor). This phenomenon is known as 'the power of platforms', defined as an innovative business model that relies on digital technologies to assemble people, knowledge and companies in an interactive ecosystem where value can be created, captured and shared. These platforms have a great ability to attract funds and grow rapidly, relying on external resources (e.g. private houses for Airbnb or private cars for Uber), with a significant impact on the market. These companies act as intermediaries, attempting to reduce frictions in the market and helping the supply and demand sides of a product or service to find each other. As such, existing companies may be inspired by these fast-growing companies to at least partially capture the opportunities underpinning the model. Most of them are digital companies mainly focusing on the service field; nevertheless, recent cases show how platforms are having an impact in many different industries with the spread of the sharing economy and implications in the brick and mortar industries.

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Over the last two decades, platforms have transformed the way, we search for information (e.g., Google), buy goods (e.g., Amazon), consume news and media (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) and travel and move around (e.g., Airbnb, Booking.com, Uber and TripAdvisor). This phenomenon is known as 'the power of platforms', defined as an innovative business model that relies on digital technologies to assemble people, knowledge and companies in an interactive ecosystem where value can be created, captured and shared. These platforms have a great ability to attract funds and grow rapidly, relying on external resources (e.g. private houses for Airbnb or private cars for Uber), with a significant impact on the market. These companies act as intermediaries, attempting to reduce frictions in the market and helping the supply and demand sides of a product or service to find each other. As such, existing companies may be inspired by these fast-growing companies to at least partially capture the opportunities underpinning the model. Most of them are digital companies mainly focusing on the service field; nevertheless, recent cases show how platforms are having an impact in many different industries with the spread of the sharing economy and implications in the brick and mortar industries.

This course aims to identify the elements that make platforms such a relevant and interesting business model defining the concept of "Platform thinking", defined as the ability to see the potentialities derived from platform-based models while fostering innovation in the digital world but also in traditional and established businesses.

The course is based on the definition of platforms, taking a historical view on the evolution of this complex concept that became a buzzword, introducing Platform Thinking.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 - Introduction to the course
Week 2 - Living the platform revolution
Week 3 - The history of platforms
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Week 4 - Looking forward

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches platform thinking, which is standard in modern industry
Covers essential elements that make platforms successful and relevant
Taught by professors who are recognized for their work in platform thinking
Explores the history of platforms, providing valuable insights
Examines the future of platforms, highlighting potential implications
Provides hands-on exercises that enhance understanding of platform thinking

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Platform Thinking: what’s beyond Uber? with these activities:
Find a Mentor in Platform Business
Provides access to valuable insights and support from experienced practitioners.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors who have expertise in platform business.
  • Reach out to your identified mentors, introducing yourself and expressing your interest in mentorship.
Discuss Platform Business Cases with Peers
Fosters collaboration and exchange of ideas on real-world platform businesses.
Browse courses on Case Studies
Show steps
  • Identify a platform business case for discussion.
  • Prepare by researching the case and gathering relevant information.
  • Participate in a group discussion, sharing your insights and analysis.
Attend Platform Industry Conferences or Meetups
Facilitates connections with professionals in the platform industry.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant conferences or meetups.
  • Register and attend the event.
  • Engage with speakers, attendees, and potential collaborators.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Follow Tutorials on Platform Design and Development
Provides step-by-step guidance on how to build and design platform businesses.
Show steps
  • Identify reliable sources for platform design and development tutorials.
  • Select tutorials that align with your specific interests and skill level.
  • Follow the instructions carefully and complete the exercises.
  • Apply what you've learned to your own platform development projects.
Read 'Platform Revolution' by Geoffrey Parker, Marshall Van Alstyne, and Sangeet Paul Choudary
Provides a comprehensive overview of platform business models and their impact on the economy.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and examples.
  • Summarize the main arguments and insights of the book.
  • Identify examples of platform businesses in your own industry or field of interest.
Participate in a Platform Design or Development Contest
Provides an opportunity to test your skills and gain feedback from experts in the field.
Browse courses on Competition
Show steps
  • Identify platform design or development contests relevant to your interests.
  • Form a team or work independently to develop a submission.
  • Present your submission to a panel of judges for evaluation.
Contribute to Open Source Platform Projects
Offers practical experience in platform development and collaboration.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Identify open source platform projects that align with your interests.
  • Review the project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
  • Make contributions to the project, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.
Build a Simple Platform Business
Provides hands-on experience in designing and implementing a platform business model.
Show steps
  • Define the problem you want to solve and the value you want to create.
  • Identify the key stakeholders and their needs.
  • Design the platform architecture and functionality.
  • Develop the platform and test it with users.
  • Launch the platform and monitor its performance.
Write a Paper on the Future of Platforms
Encourages critical thinking and analysis of emerging trends in the platform economy.
Browse courses on Future trends
Show steps
  • Research the latest developments and trends in platform businesses.
  • Analyze the potential impact of these trends on the future of platforms.
  • Write a paper that presents your insights and predictions.

Career center

Learners who complete Platform Thinking: what’s beyond Uber? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Strategy Consultant
The Platform Thinking course from Politecnico di Milano can be very useful for a Strategy Consultant. The course helps build an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the development and implementation of strategies for companies that are looking to enter or expand into the platform economy.
Manager of Data Science
A Manager of Data Science would benefit from the Platform Thinking course offered by Politecnico di Milano. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the development and management of data science platforms, which are essential for collecting, storing, and analyzing data in order to provide insights and improve decision-making.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist can benefit from the Platform Thinking course offered by Politecnico di Milano. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the development and use of data science platforms, which are essential for collecting, storing, and analyzing data in order to provide insights and improve decision-making.
Product Manager
For a Product Manager, the Platform Thinking course offered by Politecnico di Milano provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the development and management of new products and services.
Technology Analyst
The Platform Thinking: What's Beyond Uber? course offered by Politecnico di Milano can be useful for a Technology Analyst. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the evaluation and analysis of technology companies, particularly those that are based on platform business models.
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager may find the Platform Thinking course offered by Politecnico di Milano to be helpful. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the development and implementation of marketing strategies for products and services that are based on platform business models.
Sales Manager
A Sales Manager can benefit from the Platform Thinking course offered by Politecnico di Milano. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the development and implementation of sales strategies for products and services that are based on platform business models.
Web Developer
A Web Developer can benefit from the Platform Thinking course offered by Politecnico di Milano. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the development of web applications and services that are based on platform business models.
Software Architect
The Platform Thinking: What's Beyond Uber? course offered by Politecnico di Milano can be useful for a Software Architect. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful.
User Experience (UX) Designer
The Platform Thinking course offered by Politecnico di Milano may be useful for a User Experience (UX) Designer. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the design of user interfaces and experiences for platform-based products and services.
Business Analyst
The Platform Thinking: What's Beyond Uber? course offered by Politecnico di Milano may be useful for a Business Analyst. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the analysis of business processes and the development of recommendations for improvement.
Investment Banker
The Platform Thinking: What's Beyond Uber? course offered by Politecnico di Milano can be useful for an Investment Banker. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the evaluation and investment of companies that utilize platform business models.
Operations Manager
The Platform Thinking course offered by Politecnico di Milano may be useful for an Operations Manager. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the development and implementation of operational strategies for companies that utilize platform business models.
Venture Capitalist
The Platform Thinking: What's Beyond Uber? course offered by Politecnico di Milano may be of interest to a Venture Capitalist. The course provides an understanding of the history and evolution of platforms, as well as the key elements that make them successful. This knowledge can be applied to the evaluation and investment of companies that utilize platform business models.
Consultant
The Platform Thinking course from Politecnico di Milano may be of interest to a Consultant who is interested in learning about new business models. This course covers the key concepts of platform thinking, as well as the history and evolution of platforms. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of consulting projects, such as advising clients on how to develop and launch their own platforms.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Platform Thinking: what’s beyond Uber?.
Delves into the concept of platform thinking and explores how businesses can leverage platforms to create value and drive growth. It covers the key elements of platform design, innovation, and strategy.
Explores the role of platforms in driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital economy. It provides case studies and insights from leading platform companies such as Airbnb, Uber, and Amazon.
Classic work on innovation and disruption. It provides insights into why established companies often fail to innovate and how new entrants can gain a competitive advantage.
Provides a practical guide to building and launching successful startups. It emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and continuous iteration.
Explores the future of platform ecosystems and provides strategies for businesses to succeed in this rapidly changing landscape. It covers topics such as platform governance, innovation, and the impact of emerging technologies.
Provides insights into the process of building successful startups. It emphasizes the importance of finding a unique and valuable problem to solve.
Provides a critical perspective on the social and economic impact of digital platforms.

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