Platform Revolution: How Networked Markets Are Transforming the Economy and How to Make Them Work for You: How Networked Markets Are Transforming the Economy―and How to Make Them Work for You

by Geoffrey G. Parker

This value falls into four broad categories: • For consumers: Access to value created on the platform. Video viewers find the videos on YouTube valuable; Android users find value in the various activities made possible by the apps; students on Skillshare find value in the courses made available through the site. • For producers or third-party providers: Access to a community or market. Airbnb is valuable for hosts because it provides access to a global market of travelers. Company recruiters find LinkedIn valuable because it enables them to connect to potential job-seekers. Merchants find Alibaba valuable because it enables them to sell their products to customers around the world. • For both consumers and producers: Access to tools and services that facilitate interaction. Platforms create value by reducing the friction and barriers that prevent producers and consumers from interacting. Kickstarter helps creative entrepreneurs raise money for new projects. eBay, combined with PayPal, allows anyone to start an online store that serves customers anywhere in the world. YouTube allows musicians to provide their fans with performance videos, without having to produce physical products (CDs or DVDs) and without having to sell through intermediary retailers. • For both consumers and producers: Access to curation mechanisms that enhance the quality of interactions. Consumers value access to high-quality goods and services that address their specific needs and interest...