Rethinking Strategy in the Platform Era

"Traditional sources of competitive advantage are being reshaped by rapid technological change, evolving industry structures, and the rise of platform-based business models. Managers who were trained to compete within stable value chains are increasingly required to think beyond products, functions, and firms—and instead understand innovation, architecture, and ecosystems. Rethinking Strategy in the Platform Era is a three-day Management Development Program designed for middle managers transitioning into broader strategic roles. The program provides participants with a structured approach to analyzing industries, diagnosing firm-level competitive advantage, and evaluating strategic choices in environments marked by uncertainty and change. It also explains why many successful strategies fail—not due to poor execution, but because shifts in innovation and business architecture make traditional strategic thinking inadequate. The program bridges classical competitive strategy with modern challenges such as architectural innovation, platform businesses, and ecosystem competition. Participants will learn how value creation is moving from linear value chains to multi-sided platforms, and what this shift implies for strategy, organization design, and leadership decision-making.

With 70 MDPs lined up this year, XLRI continues to provide cutting-edge executive education, empowering professionals to navigate evolving business challenges with confidence and agility.

Faculty-led sessions introducing frameworks in competitive strategy, innovation, and platform businesses.

Examine business cases to understand strategic choices, industry dynamics, and platform challenges.

Apply concepts to participants’ own industries through collaborative problem-solving exercises.

Engage in discussions to exchange insights and translate learning into actionable strategies.

Professionals involved in strategic planning and decision-making within evolving business environments.

Individuals leading teams and navigating competitive and innovation challenges in dynamic markets.

Managers working on digital initiatives, platform strategies, and business model innovation.

Professionals preparing to take on broader roles in strategy, growth, and transformation.

Faculty-led sessions introducing frameworks in competitive strategy, innovation, and platform businesses.

Examine business cases to understand strategic choices, industry dynamics, and platform challenges.

Apply concepts to participants’ own industries through collaborative problem-solving exercises.

Engage in discussions to exchange insights and translate learning into actionable strategies.