ECOSYSTEMIZE YOUR BUSINESS: How to succeed in the new economy of collaboration

Welcome to the new era of business ecosystems. Taking ECOSYSTEMIZE YOUR BUSINESS advantage of ecosystem opportunities will be essential for ongoing innovation and successful growth. Ecosystemize Your Business provides an easy-to-follow, four-stage process for mastering business ecosystems. The book introduces several concepts, methods, and tools to accurately visualize, intuitively understand, and successfully navigate the dynamic, ever-changing ecosystem world in which every company is destined to compete.

To understand a company’s positioning in an ecosystem world traditional management concepts are no longer sufficient. Companies based on ecosystems have the advantage and the ability to grow stronger and more quickly. Ecosystem companies set standards, define the rules for business, and become leaders on the market by shifting profit pools away from conventional business.

We have integrated our knowledge about business ecosystems from the last years which we have gained through research, projects with companies, and workshops. It is the first book of this topic which gives such a comprehensive overview, tools, and practical examples on how to navigate through the jungle of options you have in the era of ecosystems.

The book is divided into four parts:
Stage 1: Understand — Understand and simplify ecosystem complexity with a visual method we invented.

The first stage on your way to innovation and growth is to learn about the relevance of ecosystems in general and what they mean for your business. We describe the Ecosystem-to-Human (E2H) paradigm as the fundamental ecosystem imperative. Based on this new paradigm, our book will help you progress from basic understanding to wielding sophisticated tools such as the Ecosystem Strategy Map (ESM), teaching you how to play the ecosystem game, address human needs in collaboration with partners, and adopt specific ecosystem roles to establish your strongest marketplace position.

Stage 2: Strategize — Identify purpose-driven business opportunities that tackle the big challenges of our time.

Once you have sharpended your understanding of the ecosystem game, the next stage is to find and implement the best strategies to be successful. This involves defining your ambition, figuring out your company’s current Ecosystem Position, discussing possible Ecosystem Strategic Directions, setting up the appropriate frame and ambition for your company, and identifying the Ecosystem Forces at your disposal or available to your competition. You will also learn how to identify Ecosystem Domains and topics for future initiatives and prioritize options while making key decisions about what is in and out of scope for future initiatives.

Stage 3: Design — Develop human-centric ecosystems ready to be validated in the marketplace.

The third stage will help you develop ecosystem solutions that solve human needs, integrate partners, and use ecosystem business and revenue models. This stage introduces two interconnected tools: the Ecosystem Design Grid (EDG) and the Ecosystem Business Model Canvas (EBMC). This is the starting point for the design and modeling of an ecosystem and for evaluating all ecosystem business models.

Stage 4: Transform — Unfold your ecosystem potential and transform your company.

The fourth stage is designed to help you make your whole company “ecosystem-ready” and to implement critical ecosystem initiatives. Key tasks at this stage are communicating your new ecosystem vision, aligning everyone within your company, developing the Ecosystem Target Operating Model (ETOM), managing your ecosystem portfolio, and scaling your most promising ecosystem initiatives.

More information on the Ecosystemizer website (www.ecosystemizer.com)