Well, Here’s Your Problem Right Here, Ma’am

I read Om Malik’s review of the new book Invisible Engines by David S. Evans, Andrei Hagiu and Richard Schmalense. The book’s thesis is that platforms “have propelled mega-billion-dollar industries and created wealth beyond compare.”

Om says:

“Invisible Engines” suggests, in its many case studies, that this cascade of platform-pushed activity happens most often, and easily, when a product reaches 40% or 50% of market share

I haven’t read the book myself yet, so I’m only going on Om’s review, but that’s some kind of insight, eh? What a simple formula for success: All you have to do is achieve 40% or 50% market share, and then, well, get ready for something big. How has this not occured to all those also rans out there?