Every 5 years or so there seems to be a new conversation that seeks to redefine the economy, the marketing and the message. The current model revolves around Platform Businesses—defined through various sources as ones that are built around matchmaking vendors and customers, with the appearance of creating a unique marketplace often dictating its own economy.
In their 2016 book “Matchmakers: The New Economics of Multisided Platforms,” the economists David S. Evans and Richard Schmalensee cast the subject in revolutionary terms, calling for a “new economics” to account for businesses that are “transforming economies” around the world, “making life easier and better for billions of people”—the sort of broad and ideological claim previously reserved by economists for capitalism as a whole.
A little deeper research shows that this concept is not exclusive to the 21stcentury. In the past hundred years, we have seen these marketplaces or platforms in variety of forms: From the Sears at-home catalogs to Tupperware shop-at-home parties, to shopping malls to Herbalife MLMs to pop-up shops and Farmer’s Markets.
A dive back in history sees many examples of ‘platform businesses’ the 130 B.C. Silk Road trade route to the 1180 A.D. French trade fairs, to the exploration of the 1500’s by the Dutch, English and Spanish to establish global markets, often at the detriment of the product providers.
In truth, the basis of any successful business ‘platform’ requires an innovator who understand his consumer and fulfills his or her needs through an effective, efficient, and viable service or product, offering. The innovator has the passion and ability to build his team and community and to understand the responsibilities that come with owning a new platform. The responsibilities can be defined by the industry regulations, or current financial exchange, or the mores of the community.
However, there is one key ingredient that is vital to a true evolution of the platform business model, and a core value that pervades all facets of Christie & Co. That element is CARE. To truly care for all involved in the community of one’s platform will integrate respect, honor, ethical conduct, and thoughtfulness at each touch point. The Christie & Co platform has been successful for 25 years and is committed to replicating this platform for other business platforms.
“Some people care too much. I think it’s called love.”
? A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
? Gillian