Business Platforms: It is all about when and where you want to make the shift
The business platform model is clearly emerging as the front runner choice for client corporations to manage their outsourced services (IT & Business Process). There is still a considered and well thought through shift which customers need to make. Continued incremental approach and getting wedded to the sunk cost is indeed a hurdle to jump over. This would need a mindset change, the ability to look ahead, see the curve coming and the ability to change lanes to make the shift without business discontinuity.
I am reminded of the elevated expressway (to Electronic City - the Silicon Hub of India) of 9kms which is now operational and is used by us
to commute to work. Of course, this has significantly reduced commute time by more than 60 to 70 % while having to pay toll for the usage. The infamous hosur road below the elevated expressway has also benefitted from this as many more users are using the elevated toll expressway, decongesting the hosur road somewhat.
The analogy is very relevant as the elevated toll expressway is equivalent of the business platform model which promises speed, agility and sustenance while having to pay for outcomes or transactions. The old hosur road is like the sunk cost of legacy systems and processes which many of us were wedded to just like client corporations are to their legacy baggage.
The key shift and turning point was when the decision was taken to shift all further investments towards the elevated express toll way rather then spend incrementally on the approach of patch work expansion and widening of the old hosur road.
It is this key shift which was made 3 years back, which is benefitting multiple commuters today to electronic city (Silicon hub of India). The benefits of reduced commute time, ease of travel and pay for usage are very same principles of the business platform model. Yes, during the transition of 3 years it did seem that the life was more difficult, trying to balance the build out of the elevated expressway on the already cramped sunk baggage of the old hosur road.
It is for client corporations to see ahead, make the shift and get on to the elevated expressway of Growth & Agility leveraging Business Platforms which will also have the added advantage of easing the commute and mangement of their current sunk cost of legacy processes and systems.
Business platforms is all about making the shift and now is the opportune time…………
