Have you recently considered the concept of the platform?
Everywhere we turn, products are on the decline, while platforms are gaining momentum, creating change and making money.
Pushing a product is about a one-directional delivery of what I think you need to improve your life, business or service. Building and maintaining a platform is about everybody contributing to the greater good, all the time acknowledging that not one single opinion, person or product has it all figured out, and that we are at our best when we are together.
The phone with all the applications already installed failed, while the phone that was a platform for third party developers to create their own apps prospered. The website that pushed informational products became boring instantly, while the website that created a platform for user-generated content grew to a billion dollar business overnight. The restaurant that served fixed meals from a traditional menu declined, while the eatery who supplied the ingredients and the opportunity to create your own dishes exploded. The television show that featured established musicians did okay, while the show that featured no-name artists and called on its audience to vote for who gets to be famous created a sensation. The teacher who prepared in isolation and taught without feedback never actually taught, while the facilitator who led with questions and closed with a discussion changed his audience forever.
Are you getting it already?
Are you doing the parallel thinking of how this applies to you, your organisation and what you're doing on a daily basis?
A product has potential, while a platform recognises potential in others. A product is a created something, while a platform creates a space for something to be. A product is fixed, a platform remains flexible.
In short, a product is always about me and my plans for you, while a platform is about you and your contribution to the world.
We need less products, and more platforms.
Everywhere we turn, products are on the decline, while platforms are gaining momentum, creating change and making money.
Pushing a product is about a one-directional delivery of what I think you need to improve your life, business or service. Building and maintaining a platform is about everybody contributing to the greater good, all the time acknowledging that not one single opinion, person or product has it all figured out, and that we are at our best when we are together.
The phone with all the applications already installed failed, while the phone that was a platform for third party developers to create their own apps prospered. The website that pushed informational products became boring instantly, while the website that created a platform for user-generated content grew to a billion dollar business overnight. The restaurant that served fixed meals from a traditional menu declined, while the eatery who supplied the ingredients and the opportunity to create your own dishes exploded. The television show that featured established musicians did okay, while the show that featured no-name artists and called on its audience to vote for who gets to be famous created a sensation. The teacher who prepared in isolation and taught without feedback never actually taught, while the facilitator who led with questions and closed with a discussion changed his audience forever.
Are you getting it already?
Are you doing the parallel thinking of how this applies to you, your organisation and what you're doing on a daily basis?
A product has potential, while a platform recognises potential in others. A product is a created something, while a platform creates a space for something to be. A product is fixed, a platform remains flexible.
In short, a product is always about me and my plans for you, while a platform is about you and your contribution to the world.
We need less products, and more platforms.
Mynhardt van Pletsen is a Creative Artist and Media Specialist from Pretoria, SA
Visit our Website at www.africanmosaic.com
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