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The Best Reads on Platforms from 2023

As we bid farewell to 2023, we must take a look back at some of the best finds of the year. This article does just that – curates the best reads, videos, podcasts, and more from across the landscape in all of 2023. You don’t need to look anywhere else: the piece covers our work on unbundling, product and portfolio development, platforms, and ecosystems; our podcasts covering over 20 episodes; and further curations we collected on – marketplaces, AI, blockchain and so much more.

This was a year of new learnings and steep growth – so jump in, and don’t miss out.

Simone Cicero

Shruthi Prakash

December 18, 2023

Abstract

Like every year we offer a selection of the most interesting reads, videos, and podcasts from the year – extracted from our fortnightly newsletter and our publishing work. This has shaped up to be a powerful way to recap the past year and look into the coming one. If you’re curious about past editions, check out our best of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.

 

 

Structure of the piece

This year’s selection presents first a review of what we delivered at Boundaryless in terms of primer articles and podcast episodes, then goes into a series of thematic sections that recap some of the key reading and listening threads we curated all over 2023. The sections cover key ideas that surfaced during 2023 about:

  • Marketplaces, Platforms, and Ecosystems
  • Product development and Growth
  • Web3 and Blockchain 
  • All things AI (and No Code)
  • Organization and Structure Management
  • Sustainability, Systems Thinking, and Circular Economy (and platform thinking)

It’s important to remember that all the links you see featured in this blog post have been first curated and released on our fortnightly newsletter (you can subscribe here) and on our broadcast telegram channel (you can join by clicking here). 

 

 

Key Primers We released in 2023

In this section, we offer a recap of the key articles we wrote this year organized thematically to make it easier for you to navigate the abundance. Once again in 2023 – we released our work with the aim of socializing and making open most of the learnings that we get from working with our adopters and customers.

 

Unbundling organizations

One of the biggest threads of work we studied this year was about formalizing more of our approach toward what we call “Organizational Unbundling”. As we explained in our seminal piece on the Trilemma of Organizational Unbundling: “Organizational unbundling is the act of either: favoring the separation of existing large, (functional, siloed, and bureaucratic) organizations into smaller pieces or the idea of growing an organization by keeping units reasonably small and growing their number”. Organizational Unbundling is exactly what companies can achieve by getting inspired by Haier’s Rendanheyi or Amazon’s Clear Service-Oriented divisional structure, and what we at Boundaryless codified in the 3EO Framework for easier adoption.

 

At Boundaryless we believe that organizational unbundling can be a powerful driver of adaptability for organizations, give space to employees for them to express their entrepreneurial spirit and capabilities, and also provide an easier way for partners to interact with the organization, participating in building value.

 

Besides our “trilemma” framing that stresses the point that unbundling the organization needs to seek balance between coherence, adaptability, and autonomy; we also wrote a piece to explain what are the key promises that – adopting an unbundled mode of organizing – can deliver. We further detailed on what are the typical situations where organizations are supposed to evaluate unbundling to address debt, lack of innovation capability, and other clear challenges of growth.

 

In one of our most recent pieces, we also explained how – by combining market mapping and unbundling – one can look into unbundling the organization, embracing a strongly market-oriented perspective.

 

Here’s a series of links to the pieces mentioned above:

 

Rebundling through market and product focus

As a rather important complement to our work on unbundling, we also released a lot of content – based on direct work experiences – concerning ways that organizations can use to favor a rebundling of their capabilities and products to deliver value to customers. 

 

A lot of this work has been around researching and formalizing approaches to product portfolio management and the definition of product taxonomies. A portfolio refers to a collective array of products, services, and initiatives that an organization manages and develops. It represents the breadth and diversity of the organization’s offerings in the market. On the other hand, a product taxonomy is a systematic categorization and hierarchical framework within a portfolio. It delineates the relationships among various elements of the portfolio, encompassing products, services, and even components intricately woven into the fabric of a business offering.

 

In recent pieces, we first explained that a taxonomy is essential to ensure that the pieces of a portfolio are coherent, and then we introduced practices for bundling products together and empowering customers to participate in the process, with some reflections shared around the impact that no code and AI will have in the coming years on the landscape.

 

Here’s a series of links to the pieces mentioned above:

 

Another essential pillar of our work: popularizing RendDanHeyi and improving its connection with the world of Agile 

This year has also offered us the opportunity to work on more implementations of our 3EO model based on RenDanHeYi focusing especially on deepening the connection between it and existing Agile at Scale practices. Albeit preliminary this line of work – we believe bears some interesting perspectives for the coming year.

 

Here’s a series of links to the pieces mentioned above:

 

Recapping the Techniques of Platform Design

Despite this being a thread of work that started at the end of 2022, in 2023 we also completed a useful overview of the so-called “Techniques of Platform Design”. 

 

We took the chance to look back at all the practices we released over the year and created four key recaps that can help designers navigate through the key steps of developing a platform strategy for a certain market opportunity. 

 

The techniques are grouped into four Macro-Steps:

Our Podcast Episodes of 2023

To keep pace with the evolving landscape of the platform-ecosystem economy – and all the things happening in its background, our journey in 2023 has also been characterized by a continuous exploration of insightful dialogues and exchanges. Thanks to our now 5-season-old Boundaryless Conversations Podcast, we have continued our tradition of interacting with industry experts, practitioners, entrepreneurs, designers, and thought leaders. 

 

We have used these conversations as ways to coalesce ideas, with the privilege of featuring some highly influential and pioneering voices. We have deep-dived into topics like decentralization, network tribes, the future of institutions, modularity in design, and so much more.

 

Let’s get into it. In 2023, we’ve discussed:

 

In season 4:

 

…and as a start of Season 5:

 

 

Introduction to curations

This section of the article contains links to reads and listens (podcasts/ videos) that have been curated in our newsletter over the past year. All the links you see featured in this section have been first curated and released on our fortnightly newsletter (to which you can subscribe here) and on our broadcast telegram channel (that you can join by clicking here).

 

Marketplaces, Platforms, and Ecosystems

What’s more important to platform designers than to be always on top of the news for what regards the latest developments in platform thinking, marketplace dynamics, and nurturing partner ecosystems? Check out this load of links we have collected year-round. 

 

Reads and Reports

Benedict Evans’ presentations showcase his annual, comprehensive study of macro and strategic trends in the tech industry. The latest one, titled “The New Gatekeepers,” includes updates with year-end 2022 figures. He draws insights from his keynote speeches at significant conferences like Slush in Helsinki, and also archives previous years’ presentations, dating back to 2013, each focusing on various tech industry aspects. 

For a complete view of his presentations and to subscribe to his newsletter, visit Benedict Evans’ Presentations.

Curated in February  2023.

We have got 3 amazing pieces from Dan Hockenmeier for you. In the first one, “The Unbundling Fallacy,” Dan Hockenmeier insightfully critiques the widespread belief in the ease of disrupting broad-market platforms through niche startups. His essay delves into the complexities and economic viability of unbundling large platforms, underscoring the significance of factors such as network effects and customer engagement. Hockenmeier’s work is a must-read for those interested in understanding the nuanced realities of marketplace dynamics.

You can explore the full essay for a more in-depth understanding at Dan Hockenmeier’s The Unbundling Fallacy.

Curated in April 2023.

In the second one, titled “Marketplaces After Product-Market Fit,” Dan Hockenmeier shares vital insights on navigating the unique challenges marketplaces face after achieving product-market fit. The essay offers a deep dive into critical topics such as evolving liquidity dynamics, customer acquisition complexities, pricing strategy refinement, expanding the Total Addressable Market (TAM), and leveraging of network effects. This comprehensive piece is invaluable for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of marketplace dynamics in the growth and scaling phases.

For further details, you can read the complete essay at Dan Hockenmeier’s Marketplaces After Product-Market Fit.

Curated in May 2023.

In the last one, “The Next Trillion Dollar Marketplace Will Put SKUs on Services,” Dan Hockenhmeier, discusses the untapped potential and challenges in scaling service marketplaces. He explores how creating standardized identifiers for services, similar to SKUs for products, could revolutionize service marketplaces, enabling them to offer a more streamlined and efficient transaction process. 

To read the full essay, visit Dan Hockenmeier’s Essay on Service Marketplaces.

Curated in July 2023.

This year, the folks at Tidemark released an update of the legendary “The Vertical SaaS Knowledge Project (VSKP)”: a comprehensive resource providing frameworks and success stories for leaders in the SMB and Vertical SaaS space. It explores strategies for winning market categories, expanding product offerings, and extending through the value chain. The project includes essays, case studies, and other practical examples, offering a deep dive into strategic frameworks for business growth.

For more detailed insights, visit Tidemark’s Vertical SaaS Knowledge Project.

Curated in August 2023.

This MIT Sloan Review article “Who Should Price a Gig?” provides an in-depth analysis of pricing strategies in gig economy marketplaces. It addresses the balance between operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction, comparing different models such as platform-controlled pricing and provider-driven pricing. The article also discusses hybrid approaches as potential solutions for equitable and sustainable marketplace operations.

For a deeper understanding, you can read the full article at MIT Sloan Review – Who Should Price a Gig?

Curated in September 2023.

Pete Flint’s article, “The AI-First Marketplace,” explores the transformative impact of AI on marketplaces. Flint discusses the evolution of marketplaces with AI, highlighting how it unlocks new supply sources, enhances demand-side engagement, reimagines search mechanisms, and improves internal efficiency. 

To delve deeper into this topic, you can read the full article at NFX – The AI-First Marketplace.

Curated in October 2023.

This article titled “Platform Economy 2023: U.S. leads; Europe lags” offers a strong analysis of the global platform economy’s current state. It emphasizes the significant lead of the United States and the Asia-Pacific region in market value and innovation while highlighting Europe’s lag due to regulatory challenges and market fragmentation.

For more insights, read the full article at Platform Economy 2023: U.S. leads; Europe lags.

Curated in November 2023.

 

 

Podcasts and Videos

This episode of the 20 Minute VC podcast, features Jeff Jordan from a16z, sharing his extensive experience and insights into investing in marketplaces. He discusses key aspects like the importance of fragmented supply, intelligent lead generation, and strategies for acquiring and retaining customers in a marketplace setting.

Tune in on 20 Minute VC with Jeff Jordan.

Curated in January  2023.

This a16z podcast episode titled “The Marketplace 100: A Glimpse Into the Future of Commerce” features a discussion on the fourth edition of the Marketplace 100 report by a16z. Host Steph Smith, along with a16z’s Consumer partners Connie Chan, Olivia Moore, and Zach Cohen, highlights the key trends and insights from the report. The episode highlights emerging marketplaces in various sectors and provides a comprehensive overview of current marketplace trends.

Listen to the full episode, visit a16z Podcast – The Marketplace 100.

Curated in March 2023

The episode series “Monetizing Technology Partner Ecosystems” from Tidemark’s “The Platform Journey” podcast, hosted by Avanish Sahai, features Allan Adler of Digital Bridge Partners. He provides an engaging discussion that delves into the intricacies of monetizing tech partner ecosystems, covering a range of topics including the importance of tech partnerships, the changing dynamics of the market, and the role of commercial structures in technology partnerships. This is a three-episode series and offers deep insights for businesses looking to leverage technology partnerships.

For a detailed exploration, listen to three episodes starting from part 1 at The Platform Journey – Monetizing Technology Partner Ecosystems Part 1.

Curated in November 2023.

 

 

Product Development & Growth

In the intricate landscape of business this year, we have seen that all roads lead to product thinking. In this section, we delve into the heart of what drives growth, exploring the pivotal role that product innovation and strategy play in navigating the dynamic terrain. Coming up are some curations that are a must-click in your PLG journey.

 

Reads and Reports

In “Five Steps to Starting Your PLG Motion” Hila Qu shares a comprehensive guide to adopting Product-Led Growth (PLG), for B2B SaaS products. The presentation outlines a step-by-step approach to implementing PLG, emphasizing its importance as a leading go-to-market trend. 

To explore the full guide, visit Five Steps to Starting Your PLG Motion.

Curated in January 2023.

Gigi Levy-Weiss’ article on NFX, “The 3 Phases of Product-Led Growth: The Triple Whale Method,” outlines a strategic approach to achieving Product-Led Growth (PLG) in dynamic markets. It emphasizes the importance of identifying a vibrant market, clearly defining the product’s core promise, and establishing a rapid iteration process. The article uses the success story of Triple Whale to illustrate these principles, showcasing how effective PLG strategies can drive significant growth and market traction.

For an in-depth understanding, you can read the full article at NFX – The 3 Phases of Product-Led Growth.

Curated in February 2023.

Craig Strong’s article “Transparency Through Taxonomies,” highlights the importance of well-structured product taxonomies in modern organizations. Emphasizing how a well-managed taxonomy enhances operational efficiency, organizational communication, and product management, the article is a call to action for businesses to embrace clear and effective taxonomic frameworks. 

To get a better understanding of the role of taxonomies in business, read the full article at Transparency Through Taxonomies by Craig Strong.

Curated in June 2023.

 

 

Podcasts and Videos

In the 20-minute VC podcast episode with Brian Balfour, host Harry Stebbings dives into key elements of growth strategy. Balfour, renowned for his expertise in growth, discusses various facets like distinguishing growth models from business models, acquisition mechanisms in different product contexts, and the importance of product-channel fit. This episode is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intricacies of growth in the business sector.

You can listen to the episode at 20 Minute VC with Brian Balfour.

Curated in August 2023.

 

 

Web3 and Blockchain

Enter the world of Web3 and blockchain — a realm where decentralized networks, trusted transactions, and transformative technologies cooperate to give you a piece of the internet. In this section, we look into the heart of Web3 and blockchain, while trying to navigate where the true opportunity lies, what are some of the challenges, and how you can stay ahead of the curve. This is the future, so we highly recommend reading it. 

 

Reads and Reports

Sangeet Choudary’s Web3 Bootstrapping Strategies is a compelling guide on Web3 platform development strategies, contrasting them with Web2 approaches. The article, an extract from Choudary’s Web3 Builders Playbook, details strategies for bootstrapping Web3 ecosystems, focusing on progressive decentralization, tokenization, and community engagement. 

This is a must-read, and the article can be found on Web3 Bootstrapping Strategies – Part 2 by Sangeet Choudary.

Curated in January 2023.

This year was also the year of the “Summer of Protocols”: sponsored by the Ethereum Foundation, this half-year-long project investigated the role of protocols in markets and society. This work resonates with Boundaryless’s research on protocol formation, exploring critical aspects like network effects and systemic lock-ins.

Read the full project presentation overview at Summer of Protocols and explore all project deliverables here: https://summerofprotocols.com/ 

Curated in March 2023.

 

 

Podcasts and Videos

In this amazing podcast, Divya Siddarth discusses “Super Modularity” and its implications in the context of Web3. The podcast delves into the concept of supermodularity in modular systems, where the integration of additional components exponentially increases overall value. This episode further explores how Web3 can redefine funding and governance mechanisms, focusing on creating impactful decentralization patterns. 

For the full discussion, listen to the episode on Spotify – Super Modularity and New Collaboration Theories.

Curated in January 2023.

Casey Winters’ video, part of Variant’s fellowship program, offers valuable insights into growth strategies for early-stage startups. Covering aspects from payback periods to growth loops, he draws parallels between Web2 and Web3, providing a unique perspective on how these principles apply in the evolving landscape of blockchain and decentralized technologies.

For a deeper understanding of Winters’ insights, watch the full video at Casey Winters on Web2-Web3 Parallels.

Curated in August 2023.

The episode “ETH Vs SOL Vs ATOM: The Blockchain Trilemma” from the Bankless podcast, features Mike Ippolito’s insights on the scalability, security, and decentralization challenges blockchain networks face. It compares Ethereum, Solana, and Cosmos chains and how they address these challenges. This comprehensive discussion is invaluable for those grappling with the blockchain trilemma, offering perspectives on a multi-chain future and the intricacies of blockchain technology.

To listen to the full episode visit Bankless – The Blockchain Trilemma.

Curated in September 2023.

 

 

All things AI (and No Code)

This year has been the biggest jump in technology we have seen in a long time, thanks to AI – this is so much so that it’s being compared to the birth of the internet. In this section, we embark on a deep dive into the world of AI, to unlock the extraordinary potential of intelligent systems for humankind. Read along, as we look at the latest breakthroughs, ethical considerations, real-world applications and so much more that make AI the driving force that it is. In this section, we also correlate this discussion with the topic of No Code which is related to AI’s capability to be a sort of universal duct tape that connects everything.

 

Reads and Reports

This InfoQ article “The Future of DevOps is No-Code” discusses the integration of no-code and low-code tools in DevOps. It highlights how these tools can address the talent gap in DevOps teams and improve operational efficiency. The article explores the benefits of no-code/low-code tools and highlights how this shift in DevOps practice is significant for redefining product development and organizational structures.

To read more about the implications of no-code tools in DevOps, visit InfoQ – The Future of DevOps is No-Code.

Curated in January 2023.

Boris Wertz’s article on Version One, “Thinking Through AI as the Next New Platform Opportunity,” delves into the potential of AI as a major platform, particularly in the enterprise sector. Wertz outlines five strategies for creating value in AI platforms: simplifying prompt generation, designing robust interaction models, integrating proprietary data into large language models (LLMs), tailoring LLMs for specific enterprise needs, and addressing regulatory and privacy concerns. 

To explore these strategies in detail, read the full article at – AI as the Next New Platform Opportunity.

Curated in February 2023.

Sameer Singh’s article on Speedinvest, “Generative AI: Platforms, Network Effects, and the Economics of Abundance,” examines generative AI’s impact on content creation and platform economics. The article explores how generative AI challenges traditional notions of value and scarcity in digital content, leading to an abundance of AI-generated material. He suggests that in such an environment, authentic, human-created content might gain more value, shifting the focus of network effects and platform strategies.

For a better understanding of these concepts, read the full article at – Speedinvest – Generative AI and the Economics of Abundance.

Curated in March 2023.

Geoffrey Litt’s article discusses the potential of ChatGPT Plugins and LLMs in reshaping the digital economy. It explores how these technologies, with their ability to rapidly analyze and suggest alternatives, could challenge traditional business models reliant on transaction costs. The article also contemplates the future of content quality and competitiveness, as AI-driven systems make it increasingly difficult to hide any lack of quality or price competitiveness in the market.

Read the full article at Geoffrey Litt – ChatGPT Plugins and the Age of LLMs.

Curated in April 2023.

Elad Gil’s blog post “AI Platforms, Markets, & Open Source” presents an insightful analysis of the AI industry, focusing on platforms, market dynamics, and the role of open source. Gil examines various AI technologies, including large language models and image generation, and discusses the future market structure for AI foundation and API companies. 

For an overview, read the full post on Elad Gil’s Blog – AI Platforms, Markets, & Open Source.

Curated in April 2023.

Jerry Chen’s article “The New New Moats” revisits his framework for building business moats in the age of AI. Reflecting on the last six years, Chen discusses how AI has influenced traditional moats and emphasizes the enduring value of adaptability in businesses. He explores the balance of power in the AI-driven landscape, noting how open-source models and startups are gaining leverage. 

This is an insightful piece, read the full article at Greylock – The New New Moats.

Curated in July 2023.

David Phelps explores the concept of “proto-apps” in his article, delving into how these applications, exemplified by ChatGPT, represent a new paradigm blurring the lines between apps and protocols. He discusses their horizontal nature, adaptability to niche use cases, and their role as frontends for underlying models or protocols. This revolutionary approach to app development is set to offer a more flexible, user-driven model, potentially reshaping the future of digital interaction.

Read the full article at David Phelps – Proto-Apps and the Age of LLMs.

Curated in October 2023.

 

 

Organization and Structure Management

At Boundaryless, we always try to bring all our learnings back to where it matters the most – the organizations and structures we build. With this in mind, 2023 has been an extremely interesting year – there was a surge of focus on topologies, adapting to multi-scale, organization unbundling and so much more. Read along as this is where things get truly practical.

 

Reads and Reports

The Org Topologies article “Seven Archetypes of Organization Topology” presents a framework for understanding various organizational structures in product development. The article categorizes seven archetypes based on team capabilities and customer-centric approaches, providing insights into how organizations can evolve to improve agility and customer focus. This framework is crucial for those exploring team interdependence and autonomy in product-centric organizational models.

For an in-depth understanding of these organizational archetypes, read the full article at Org Topologies – Seven Archetypes of Organization Topology.

Curated in January 2023.

This Economist article discusses how organizations are rethinking their structures in response to technological advancements and growth challenges. It highlights the trend of companies treating their boundaries as interfaces, moving towards outsourcing and outcome-oriented contracts to prevent bureaucratic overload. This approach aligns with the 3EO framework, promoting organizational modularity and a focus on outcomes and network-like structures.

For more insights, read the article at The Economist – Redrawing Boundaries of the Firm.

Curated in February 2023.

Ben Mosior and Jabe Bloom’s article introduces the concept of “multi-scale detail” in Wardley mapping, offering a novel approach to examining organizational components and their interactions. This method provides a framework for analyzing the evolution of a company’s portfolio, considering various pace layers and the interplay of different organizational elements. 

For a deeper exploration, read the full article at Learn Wardley Mapping – Features are Fashion, Capabilities are Commerce.

Curated in March 2023.

This Harvard Business Review article explores innovative management practices emerging from Chinese companies, focusing on “digitally enhanced directed autonomy” (DEDA). These practices include single-threaded leadership and transforming middle management into software-augmented connectors. This approach reflects principles similar to the RenDanHeyi model and Amazon’s leadership structure, emphasizing focused leadership and a digitally connected organizational framework.

For a comprehensive understanding of these management innovations, read – How Chinese Companies Are Reinventing Management.

Curated in March 2023.

This Harvard Business Review article by Martin Reeves and colleagues discusses the concept of optionality as a crucial organizational strategy, aligning with Boundaryless’s work. It covers topics like transitioning from enterprises to ecosystems, embracing organizational fluidity, and redefining performance metrics. These themes resonate with our 3EO framework and echo discussions that we had in “The Trilemma of Organizational Unbundling.”

This is an absolute must-read – Radical Optionality.

Curated in April 2023.

Susanne Kaiser’s article on InfoQ integrates concepts from Wardley Mapping, Domain Driven Design (DDD), and Team Topologies to create adaptive socio-technical systems. The article showcases how these methodologies can be combined to design and evolve organizational systems optimized for change. It emphasizes the importance of understanding business strategy, software architecture, and team organization to foster adaptability in rapidly changing environments.

To explore such integrations, read the full article at InfoQ – Adaptive Socio-Technical Systems with Architecture for Flow.

Curated in August 2023.

This Boston Consulting Group article discusses the shift in organizational models towards platform-based structures. This evolution, once again aligned with Boundaryless’s 3EO framework, emphasizes open and adaptive systems. The article underscores the benefits of platform models in enhancing employee engagement and ecosystem-centric approaches, highlighting the critical role of adapting to market signals and customer-centricity in today’s business environment.

Read the full article at BCG – Why Platform Operating Models are Becoming More Important.

Curated in November 2023.

 

 

Podcasts and Videos

In the Infinite Loops podcast episode with Venkatesh Rao, titled “The Art of Gig,” Rao and host Jim O’Shaughnessy discuss how bureaucratic structures in traditional organizations have led to risk-averse mindsets. They explore the importance of risk-taking in finding meaning in life and how this mindset shift is crucial in the evolving gig economy. 

To listen to the full conversation, visit Infinite Loops Podcast – The Art of Gig with Venkatesh Rao.

Curated in April 2023.

Lenny Rachitsky talks to Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s CEO, who shares insights on product management, leadership, and growth. He discusses Airbnb’s shift in product strategy, avoiding bureaucracy, the importance of founder involvement, marketing changes, and setting ambitious goals. This interview offers invaluable lessons for those in leadership and product development roles.

You should not miss this, as it is – Brian Chesky’s new playbook.

Curated in November 2023.

 

 

Sustainability, Systems Thinking, and Circular Economy

Our ardent followers know that we always like to go “beyond”. We like to see and draw parallels from across the spectrum of industries, markets, geographies, and others, to learn and adapt from differences. This year was no different, we looked at topics that analyzed portfolio-based approaches, investigated protocols, and the scope of modularity. This is the last section, and our personal favorite, do give it a read and share your thoughts.

 

Reads and Reports

The UNDP Innovation article discusses the organization’s transition from product/project-based models to portfolio-based innovation. This shift involves developing internal ecosystems and external partnerships, focusing on organizational development, creating socialized portfolio maps, and building coherence. The approach aligns with work done in transforming sectors systemically, offering insights into strategic innovation and portfolio management.

Read more at UNDP Innovation – Building Capacity for Strategic Innovation.

Curated in May 2023.

Nick Hilton’s article critiques the sustainability of the subscription model in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) economy. He discusses the challenges of achieving social distribution in a democratized content creation environment, where technical distribution is simplified. Hilton highlights the disparities in earnings on platforms like Substack and OnlyFans, questioning the long-term viability of the subscription model amidst a glut of content and services.

This is an interesting read at Nick Hilton – The End of the Subscription Era?

Curated in September 2023.

Cameron Tonkinwise’s post questions whether AI can truly identify “unmet needs” in design, proposing a provocative stance on the role of AI in understanding and fulfilling human requirements. He suggests that relying heavily on AI in design might diminish the ability of individuals to articulate their own needs. This perspective challenges current design paradigms, emphasizing the importance of human-centric approaches in sustainable service systems and service design.

For a deeper understanding of Tonkinwise’s perspective, read his full post on LinkedIn – Prompting Unmet Needs.

Curated in October 2023.

Trond Hjorteland’s presentation on Vimeo provides an insightful overview of Open Systems Theory, as proposed by Fred Emery. It highlights the relevance of this theory in dealing with complex organizational structures and the advantages of participative work design, like self-managing teams. 

For a better understanding of Open Systems Theory and its applications watch the presentation at Vimeo – Open Systems Theory by Trond Hjorteland.

Curated in November 2023.

Podcasts and Videos

Our last piece is a conversation between Lex Fridman and Neil Gershenfeld on digital fabrication. The podcast offers deep insights into the convergence of information and structure in self-fabricating and self-organizing systems. Gershenfeld, a pioneer in the field, shares his theories and ideas that can significantly influence thoughts on product taxonomies and modularity. 

Watch the full interview for in-depth insights at Lex Fridman’s Interview with Neil Gershenfeld.

Curated in June 2023.

 

 

Conclusions

In wrapping our “Best of 2023”, we realized in retrospect that 2023 has been one truly memorable journey. From Marketplaces to Web3 to AI, to Sustainability, there was no stone left unturned. This year has given us so much to reflect on and adapt in our organizations, and we hope that this culmination helps you with just that – ever-evolving yourself, the structures, and the people around you. 

We also feel so much gratitude to our dedicated community whose support and engagement have driven us from the beginning. 

As we look ahead to 2024, we promise to always keep thought-provoking conversations going and dynamism as our center-point. 

 

Do you want an early peak every time we do something interesting? Well, here’s your chance to sign up – 

  • Our Newsletter – published once in two weeks with all the best reads, videos, and our fortnightly reflection – the latter is also available on our Linkedin Dispatch – published every other Saturday
  • Our Podcast – published once in two weeks, with some of the most prominent and thought-provoking guests 
  • Our Telegram Group – An early access gateway into all things interesting. 

 

Join us in this journey for the coming year, and we promise to work our hardest to keep us all learning. 

 

Happy 2024, and until next time… think boundaryless. 

Simone Cicero

Shruthi Prakash

December 18, 2023

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