A number of business organizations in the present digital era thrive on what is called a “platform business”. Consider for example rms like Uber and Airbnb, which have grown from scratch into formidable businesses in transportation and alternative accommodation sectors respectively, virtually without owning any assets of their own. These are businesses which have pioneered and followed the platform model and have become huge successes, inspiring many others to emulate their platform model of business. Other well-known examples of platform businesses are Google with its Android App and Apple’s iPhone connecting users and developers of Apps. These platform businesses are considered to have led to the destruction of successful business models of rms like Nokia and Blackberry in the past. Platform businesses have started making inroads into many new sectors such as education, energy, health care and government among others.
The MDP on Digital Platform Business will aim at providing practical guidance in conceptualizing, designing and launching platform businesses in the sector of their choice. It will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to design their own business based on digital platform strategies.
The pedagogy for the MDP will include case study discussions, videos, lectures and group exercises to understand the concepts and approaches to designing platform businesses. Workshop mode of doing case study discussions and group exercises will enhance the effectiveness of learning from the program.
The MDP will be highly relevant for founders of potential and existing start-up businesses, middle and senior level executives and young professionals interested in setting up a platform business. Young IMT alumni will be given preference.
Dr. Surinder Batra is a senior professor in the Information Technology and Analytics Area at IMT Ghaziabad. He has overall experience of over 40 years in the industry, consulting and academics. Earlier, he has held the positions of Dean Academics, Dean Research and Area Chair IT Management at IMT. A doctorate from IIT Delhi and MBA from Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University, Dr. Batra participated in an on-line certication course, “Digital Transformation: Platform Strategies for Success” organized by MIT Executive Education, USA and Emeritus Institute of Management Singapore. Earlier, he participated in a course on Predictive Analytics and another course on Social Media Marketing conducted by Institute of Systems Sciences, National University of Singapore.
