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The Digital Phoenix Effect: How Legacy Companies Can Lead the Platform Revolution Without Burning Everything Down
How can legacy companies lead the platform revolution—without burning everything down?
In a world dominated by tech-native giants, The Digital Phoenix Effect offers a bold, practical path for traditional firms to drive innovation through platform thinking—without losing what made them great.
Whether you’re a corporate leader, innovation manager, consultant, or academic, this book gives you the tools, cases, and frameworks to rethink your business model without starting from scratch.
What this book Clear definitions of platform business models—without Silicon Valley jargon
Real-world stories and cases from Siemens, AXA, and Eni showing how platforms can emerge from legacy assets
A unique framework based on 140 platform initiatives from S&P 500 firms including examples from Caterpillar, Intuit, Kroger, Target, Royal Caribbean, Merck, PACCAR, Chipotle, and more
Five strategic challenges legacy companies can solve through Platform Thinking
The Platform Transformative Framework: a powerful matrix to guide innovation in core services, primary activities, or support functions
A 4-step methodology to build your own platform, tested with over 20 organizations
Bonus: How to leverage Generative AI (GenAI) as a co-thinker to support platform design
Why it Most platform strategy books focus on startups. This one doesn’t.
This book is about how established organizations can ignite change from within—by turning their customers, suppliers, data, and know-how into scalable, networked value.
Written by two international experts in platform strategy and innovation—featured in the Thinkers50 Radar list of the most influential management thinkers—The Digital Phoenix Effect blends academic depth and field-tested practice to help you lead meaningful, sustainable transformation.
In a world dominated by tech-native giants, The Digital Phoenix Effect offers a bold, practical path for traditional firms to drive innovation through platform thinking—without losing what made them great.
Whether you’re a corporate leader, innovation manager, consultant, or academic, this book gives you the tools, cases, and frameworks to rethink your business model without starting from scratch.
What this book Clear definitions of platform business models—without Silicon Valley jargon
Real-world stories and cases from Siemens, AXA, and Eni showing how platforms can emerge from legacy assets
A unique framework based on 140 platform initiatives from S&P 500 firms including examples from Caterpillar, Intuit, Kroger, Target, Royal Caribbean, Merck, PACCAR, Chipotle, and more
Five strategic challenges legacy companies can solve through Platform Thinking
The Platform Transformative Framework: a powerful matrix to guide innovation in core services, primary activities, or support functions
A 4-step methodology to build your own platform, tested with over 20 organizations
Bonus: How to leverage Generative AI (GenAI) as a co-thinker to support platform design
Why it Most platform strategy books focus on startups. This one doesn’t.
This book is about how established organizations can ignite change from within—by turning their customers, suppliers, data, and know-how into scalable, networked value.
Written by two international experts in platform strategy and innovation—featured in the Thinkers50 Radar list of the most influential management thinkers—The Digital Phoenix Effect blends academic depth and field-tested practice to help you lead meaningful, sustainable transformation.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2025
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November 20, 2025
The Digital Phoenix Effect is a masterclass in guiding legacy companies through the complex journey of digital transformation. Authors Tommaso Buganza and Daniel Trabucchi provide a clear, practical framework for embracing the platform revolution without sacrificing what already works. Packed with real-world examples, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking insights, the book shows how organizations can reinvent themselves, adopt a platform mindset, and thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. It’s both a roadmap and a source of inspiration for leaders determined to innovate responsibly.
What sets this book apart is its focus on balance: how to innovate without “burning everything down.” The authors emphasize that transformation doesn’t have to mean disruption for its own sake, and they provide concrete guidance for managing culture, leadership, and business model shifts. Whether you’re a CEO, a senior leader, or anyone involved in digital strategy, The Digital Phoenix Effect offers invaluable lessons on turning legacy into advantage, and emerging stronger, smarter, and more resilient in the digital era.
What sets this book apart is its focus on balance: how to innovate without “burning everything down.” The authors emphasize that transformation doesn’t have to mean disruption for its own sake, and they provide concrete guidance for managing culture, leadership, and business model shifts. Whether you’re a CEO, a senior leader, or anyone involved in digital strategy, The Digital Phoenix Effect offers invaluable lessons on turning legacy into advantage, and emerging stronger, smarter, and more resilient in the digital era.
Displaying 1 of 1 review