Category Archives: Platforms

Good Marketplace design does drive bottom-up business ecosystem participation.

Posted on by

Marketplace Design can drive bottom-up Ecosystem designs.

Do Marketplace designs drive the adoption of platforms and ecosystems? Marketplaces should certainly be fast followers as they will shape future decisions by their attraction. Once a platform and its strategic design and intent are in place, Marketplace attracting becomes a critical attraction as the place you buy, sell and develop the solutions needed to achieve the value derived from building and investing in platforms and collaborations built around Ecosystem thinking and design.

Does this more “bottom-up” approach of accelerating the attraction of having Marketplaces more open and ready for the “trading” business make sense, and is the better way to achieve an Ecosystem adoption?

Marketplace designs can indeed drive the adoption of platforms and ecosystems. A marketplace approach can facilitate a “bottom-up” adoption strategy, where individual participants are attracted to the ecosystem through the value they can gain as buyers, sellers, or users of services.

It is always vitally important that any contributor to marketplace solutions receives recognition for their work, efforts, or willingness to participate in enabling and strengthening the Marketplace. The success of any Marketplace is engagement- making it attractive to participate and contribute.

Continue reading →

Why Are We Navigating to the New: A Summary of the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs

Posted on by
The Importance of Hierarchy of Business Ecosystems

Why Are We Recommending Navigating into this World of Interconnected Ecosystems?

In the ever-changing and fast-paced world of business and innovation, the paradigm is shifting towards collaborative ecosystems. Traditional models are making way for a new approach emphasising openness, adaptability, and shared vision.

This transformative journey is encapsulated in the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs, a cascading framework comprising four interconnected layers: Innovation Ecosystems, Business Ecosystems, Dynamic Ecosystems, and the Ecosystems of Enterprises.

Introduction to the Hierarchy:

The Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs is a construct of collaborative ecosystems, navigating complexity with agility, openness, and shared vision. Each layer contributes to the orchestration of innovation, business synergy, dynamic resilience, and collaborative prosperity.

The interconnected dynamics and strategic integration across layers create a self-reinforcing cycle of success. As organizations embark on this transformative journey, they move beyond boundaries, adapting to change, fostering resilience, and achieving collective prosperity through collaborative power, providing the catalyst to a different, highly collaborative management paradigm.

Continue reading →

Moving Beyond Boundaries in the Ecosystem of Enterprises

Posted on by

Sub–Title: “Prosperity Unleashed Through Collaborative Power”

The Ecosystem of Enterprises- the Apex in the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystems

The Ecosystem of Enterprises Layer- the pinnacle or apex

Ascend to the pinnacle within the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs where entities dynamically achieve prosperity through collaborative efforts across Enterprises—the Collaborative and Sustaining Prosperity point. The need here is to explore the mechanisms where organizations collaboratively drive value, share prosperity, and unlock opportunities that transcend individual capabilities. This is the final layer of the interconnected Ecosystem thinking and design.

I am introducing the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs in several posts within this framework. I am outlining the top layer here, the final layer- the Ecosystem of Enterprises. This drives the interconnected Ecosystems in all of what they do.

As I have previously mentioned, the design of this Hierarchy of Business Ecosystems is modular; each Ecosystem can stand alone and offer significant value, but it is part of a more extensive cohesive system where each layer contributes to the overall success of collaborative ecosystems.

The importance of this top tier- the Ecosystem of Enterprises

Leadership needs to drive the profound shift to highly collaborative and co-created Ecosystems, designed and thought through to achieve a collective vision, sets of objectives and ultimate success of (multiple) missions; it does that through this Ecosystem of Enterprises.

Continue reading →

Thriving in the Dynamic Ecosystem of the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs.

Posted on by

Sub-Title: “Dynamically thriving and evolving Business Ecosystems; Adapting Together.”

Understanding the Dynamic Ecosystem within the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystems

I am introducing the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs in several posts. This is the sixth post within the series introducing the fourth and most novel layer- the Dynamic Ecosystem. I find this the most exciting ecosystem, with the potential to transform and challenge all of what we do.

The Dynamic Ecosystem is a unique and critical layer within the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall ecosystem; I would argue it is the unique essence of this design.

As I have previously mentioned, the design of this Hierarchy of Business Ecosystems is modular; each Ecosystem can stand alone and offer significant value, but it is part of a more extensive cohesive system where each layer contributes to the overall success of collaborative ecosystems.

Achieving any dynamics within the system generates the potential for change. Providing the Ecosystem environment to build out dynamism enables the capabilities to challenge and have the abilities to disrupt.

The Dynamic Ecosystem is a transformational part of future-proofing the business.

Continue reading →

Achieving Synergy and Orchestration in the Business Ecosystem of the Hierarchy of Ecosystem Needs

Posted on by

Sub-Title: “Strategic Synergy: The Business Ecosystem”

Achieving the Synergy in Business Ecosystems

I am introducing the Hierarchy of Ecosystem Needs in a series of posts. This is the fourth post within the series introducing the second layer- the Business Ecosystem.

As I have previously mentioned, the design of this Hierarchy of Ecosystems is modular; each Ecosystem can stand alone and offer significant value, but it is part of a more extensive cohesive system where each layer contributes to the overall success of collaborative ecosystems.

The holistic perspective is covered in the opening and closing posts within the series.

This interconnected story attempts to convey the power of transformation; each layer’s structure and unique propositions give a dynamic and resilient ecosystem set that aims to drive collective prosperity and sustain excellence.

Introducing the essential components of the Business Ecosystem

Continue reading →

The Innovation Ecosystem where Creativity is the foundation in the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystems.

Posted on by

Sub-Title: Building Innovation Foundations by Fostering Creativity: The Innovation Ecosystem

How can you drive growth? What will give you a different impact on your business? How do you build out your innovation differently? Where do you seek out your creativity?

I am introducing the Hierarchy of Ecosystem Needs in a series of posts. This is the third post after the initial introduction, of navigating the new and then outlining and building the business case. This post introduces the foundation layer- the Innovation Ecosystem.

Ecosystems are becoming the way to design a business to achieve in a complex and challenging business landscape. They are a new way of working in collaborative, purposefully designed ecosystems that give radically different ways to innovate.

In the constantly changing and fast-paced landscape of modern business, fostering creativity is not just a goal; it’s a necessity. In this post, we delve into the foundational layer of the Innovation Ecosystem, where shared challenges and dynamic creativity converge to create an environment ripe for innovation.

The holistic perspective is covered in the opening and closing posts within the series. This interconnected story attempts to convey the power of transformation; each layer’s structure and unique propositions give a dynamic and resilient ecosystem set that aims to drive collective prosperity and sustain excellence.

Continue reading →

Navigating the New: Introduction to the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystems

Posted on by

 Setting the Stage Sub-Title: “Harmony in Complexity”

Navigating the New: Introducing the Hierarchy of Ecosystem Needs

The Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs is a Collaborative Set of Four Layers of Interconnected Ecosystems that reflect a unique value proposition, suggesting navigating business complexity differently in the future.

Each of these layers can be built independently, offering substantial value in its own right, but when interconnected, they create a dynamic and resilient ecosystem that drives collective prosperity and sustaining excellence.

Each layer in the Hierarchy of Business Ecosystem Needs contributes to the harmonious orchestration of innovation, business synergy, dynamic resilience, and collaborative prosperity, paving the way for a new era of interconnected success.

We are searching for a different growth curve, and to achieve this, we need a radically different design of how we approach business in collaborative and co-creation ecosystems.

Here, I outline the initial case for this Business Ecosystem Hierarchy, offering the potential for the transformative power of collaborative ecosystems together.

In a series of posts, I will provide this initially connected narrative and then provide individual ecosystem layer posts covering innovation, business, dynamics and enterprise-building ecosystems. This has a clear message of being interconnected as each layer contributes to the whole, and I trust it provides an introductory but comprehensive understanding of the values of synergies, interdependencies and the exponential value created when these layers are interconnected.

Continue reading →

Seeking more Energy Transition Ecosystem Success Stories in 2024

Posted on by

There have been so many success stories, specifically in industry and the energy transition, that are so reliant on collaborations and co-creations, coming from essential ecosystem design and thinking. This is partly why I focus on the Energy Transition and Industrial Transformation for my innovation and ecosystem work.

Let us remind ourselves where those collaborations between different stakeholders deliver real change in radical, innovative solutions.

Continue reading →

Find your Marketplaces; they can be the secret to your success.

Posted on by

The theory goes you identify an Ecosystem of like-minded businesses that share a common need to solve a vexing problem, challenge or concept. Then, one party sets up a platform or gains the agreement of one already available, a neutral platform, to use it. Hence, it has all the technology, governance and structure to enable the group to communicate, exchange and build the (emerging) solution to work and then have the structure for it to (rapidly) scale.

The marketplace, the third part, often gets left to last when those achieving this new solution realize it needs a place for actual exchange, a thriving buyer/seller market.

Today, we have witnessed a rapid expansion of the Marketplace on offer. Marketplaces are increasingly being stretched, and the boundaries of their understanding keep extending. We have moved from simply listing, though, to transactional marketplaces ( travel, delivery), full-stack marketplaces (on-demand services- Uber), Market Maker (for homes, cars, jobs) into eCommerce(fashion, groceries) and Direct-to-Consumer( food, banking, wellness, lifestyle and eyewear)

By participating at an Ecosystem level, you are putting clear skin in the game; the platform provider tends to drive the roadmap, provide the governance and often play the lead role. There are so many “neutral” platform providers that much of the technology and engineering solutions can be resolved by using established platforms that many of the tensions, when ecosystems are formed, can fall away, allowing those working on a challenge to focus specifically on that and spend their time breaking down the IP and the returns, building the new solution.

Yet it is the role of the Marketplace that determines increasingly the success. Just reflect on some of the most prominent marketplaces. You have Amazon, Alibaba, Airbnb, Salesforce, Booking, eBay, LinkedIn, etc.

Continue reading →

Building an Inspiring Energy Narrative

Posted on by

I struggle increasingly with individual energy organizations’ pledges to move their solutions towards a carbon-neutral future. The mixture of reports, initiatives, and viewpoints all move towards the transformation of the energy system, but they all admit or fail to address TWO crucial aspects.

Firstly the limited time we have to make such a transition in their offerings of new and different imaginative ways to change the current dynamics within our energy systems. Secondly, how each organization alone cannot achieve it with limited or no alternative suggestions to overcome this “constraint”. Well, this post is about one alternative, well worth considering.

One area of potential to bridge is the collaborations at the multiple firm levels. There is a weakness that deprives the ecosystem of a greater “collective action and innovation” to achieve a more accelerated pathway to the Energy Transition.

The Energy Transition has a rich network of complimentary ecosystems, all keeping the change moving at a ‘certain’ level of momentum, but is it good enough? I don’t think so.

The sheer number of Energy companies working on solutions within the Energy Transition is vast, varied and geographically spread. Each is struggling to get out of their (self-made) islands of knowledge to grow their business value through mostly individual innovation solutions.

We then have an Ecosystem of Governments and intergovernmental organizations providing policy suggestions and directions, offering sources of analysis, central data collection and interpretation along with proving reference and exchange points and forums. Then you have general and highly specialised Consulting firms, and investing institutions that are all constantly providing insights and supporting solutions.

We need to find new ways of collaborating and that means applying ecosystem thinking and platform solutions.

Continue reading →