Platforms and Power (with Hamilton Helmer and Chenyi Shi)

Platforms, such as YouTube, TSMC and Uber, hold the power to create sustainable business models by understanding the economic value they provide, how it changes as the platform grows and how competitors can be prevented from reaching equivalence. Creating power opportunities, pricing strategy and the dynamic relationship between power, profitability and market share are key factors in a platform's success. Establishing switching costs and developing a strong value proposition are essential for avoiding win-lose situations, attracting top talent and fostering a positive work environment. A company's power can be measured by the ability of one platform to consistently outperform others, with sustainable differences driven by size disparities, liquidity and scale.