This marks the first post in a short series I'll be doing on platform strategies -- a look at how businesses can turn themselves into platforms. I'll delve into this in greater detail, but to quickly explain, platform business models are essentially intermediary or broker business models -- the game plan is to profit by uniting two other parties. The thesis of this mini-series is that if we accept that the Internet is largely about connectivity and relationships, than platform strategies are both more valuable and more feasible.

The series will be broken down into the following parts:

• Products vs. Platforms: The Yin/Yang of Business Strategy
• Flippin' the Script: How to Switch from Being a Product to a Platform
• Built for Evolution: The Organizational Structure of Platforms
• The Future of Platforms: RIP Nations and Corporations

There's much to write on this topic, so I'll be adding more as time goes on.