From Legacy to Leading Edge: How Traditional Giants Can Win with Platform Scale

Platform scale is not just the domain of nimble startups; it holds transformative potential for traditional companies as well. Incumbents often face legacy systems and hierarchical structures that can seem at odds with the openness and agility platforms require. Yet, those who master platform thinking can unlock new avenues of growth and competitive advantage.

At the heart of this transformation is a shift from owning resources to orchestrating ecosystems. Imagine a manufacturing giant opening its APIs to external developers, creating a marketplace of complementary products. Or a retail chain evolving into a platform connecting local producers directly with consumers.

This shift demands profound cultural and managerial changes. Leadership must move away from command-and-control mindsets toward enabling self-serve ecosystems. Community management replaces traditional HR, and behavior design becomes a key tool for fostering participation.

Data becomes the new currency, powering real-time customization, trust, and innovation. Agile leadership, open innovation, and ecosystem orchestration become core capabilities.

Embracing platform scale is a journey, but one that incumbents cannot afford to ignore if they wish to lead in the digital economy.

Sources: Platform Scale by Sangeet Paul Choudary, Sobrief.com, Bookey.app 4 1