Kindle
$2.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$15.53
Kindle Price: $2.99

Save $21.00 (88%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $21.83

Save: $14.34 (66%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the authors

Nicholas L. Johnson
Follow
Alex Moazed
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Modern Monopolies: What It Takes to Dominate the 21st Century Economy Kindle Edition

by Alex Moazed (Author), Nicholas L. Johnson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 619 ratings
See all formats and editions

In Modern Monopolies, Alex Moazed and Nicholas L. Johnson tell the definitive story of what has changed, what it means for businesses today, and how managers, entrepreneurs, and business owners can adapt and thrive in this new era.

What do Google, Snapchat, Tinder, Amazon, and Uber have in common, besides soaring market share? They're platforms - a new business model that has quietly become the only game in town, creating vast fortunes for its founders while dominating everyone's daily life. A platform, by definition, creates value by facilitating an exchange between two or more interdependent groups. So, rather that making things, they simply connect people.

The Internet today is awash in platforms - Facebook is responsible for nearly 25 percent of total Web visits, and the Google platform crash in 2013 took about 40 percent of Internet traffic with it. Representing the ten most trafficked sites in the U.S., platforms are also prominent over the globe; in China, they hold the top eight spots in web traffic rankings.

The advent of mobile computing and its ubiquitous connectivity have forever altered how we interact with each other, melding the digital and physical worlds and blurring distinctions between "offline" and "online." These platform giants are expanding their influence from the digital world to the whole economy. Yet, few people truly grasp the radical structural shifts of the last ten years.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    274 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    St. Martin's Press
  5. Publication date
    May 31, 2016
  6. File size
    5274 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Review

"{A} stimulating book....The authors are particularly interesting on how modern platform companies are able to outsource much of their innovation."--The Financial Times

"Modern Monopolies brilliantly lays out the formula for how to get rich in the platform economy. From building audiences to creating network value, this book will become the handbook for the next generation of business leaders."--George F. Colony, CEO, Forrester Research

“A provocative and highly accessible primer on building twenty-first century monopolies that aptly deconstructs the winners and losers with deep insight and analysis. Modern Monopolies provides a deep understanding of emerging platform business models that is required to create the next Amazon, Google, or Uber."--Craig Hatkoff, Co-Founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, Disruptor Foundation

"Modern Monopolies unmasks what Internet platforms are, how they work,
and why they are important. A required read for anyone interested in building, or investing in, network-based businesses."--Andrew Weissman, Partner, Union Square Ventures

“Two-sided marketplaces or platforms are tough to start and scale. Modern Monopolies brilliantly reveals the secrets of the startups that are scaling platform businesses. A must read for any serious entrepreneur or investor, as well as anyone interested in innovation."--Oisin Hanrahan, co-founder and CEO of Handy

"This timely book very persuasively and elegantly sets out the framework for the emerging dominance of the platform business model. Modern Monopolies is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand platforms, as well as anyone considering building a new business.”--Sudip Nandy, Former CEO of Aricent and Frog Design

"This book is satisfying and timely, a valuable contribution to our understanding of modern business."--Booklist

About the Author

Alex Moazed is the Founding CEO of Applico and an expert on mobile and platform technology. He appears frequently on Bloomberg, CNBC and Fox, and has been profiled in Inc. Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He has co-founded the Application Developers Alliance.



Nicholas L. Johnson is Head of Platform at Applico, where he oversees the company's research into how platforms work. He works with clients on business model design and bringing cutting-edge platforms to market. Prior to joining Applico, he spent several years as an editor at the Institute for New Economic Thinking where he worked closely with the Institute's leadership, including six Nobel Prize-winning economists

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B017RC8CBC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press; Illustrated edition (May 31, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 31, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5274 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 274 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 619 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Nicholas L. Johnson

    Nicholas L. Johnson

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Nicholas L. Johnson is Head of Platform at Applico, where he oversees the company’s research into how platforms work. He works with clients on business model design and bringing cutting-edge platforms to market. Prior to joining Applico, he spent several years as an editor at the Institute for New Economic Thinking where he worked closely with the Institute’s leadership, including six Nobel Prize-winning economists.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Alex Moazed

    Alex Moazed

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Alexander Moazed is the Founder and CEO of Applico. Alexander founded Applico in 2009 when he was 20 years old and funded the company with his own credit cards. Within the first three years, Alex led the company to become one of the largest app developers in the industry.

    Subsequently, Alexander evolved Applico into the world’s first Platform Innovation Company, trailblazing a new type of services firm. In his role as CEO, Alexander is laying the foundation for platforms to be the predominant business model of the 21st century.

    He speaks extensively about mobile technology, the Connected Revolution™ and Platform Innovation™. He appears frequently on major television networks, as well as in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

    Alexander is a founding board member of the Application Developers Alliance and a graduate of Babson College, Choate Rosemary Hall and Greenwich Country Day School.

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
619 global ratings
Platforms are the new black
5 Stars
Platforms are the new black
As a digital startup cofounder, I found a lot to love about this delicious tome. With two other network effects books on my shelf already, I’ll now recommend this one. Why? It’s got breadth for context, lots of real-world examples, plus depth for understanding. Lastly, it’s accessible for platform economics newbies while still offering tasty insights for digiteers.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent book, and goes into great detail about its ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent book, and goes into great detail about its premise (the "modern monopoly") and how it is fundamentally different from the traditional monopolies that dominated (and exploited) capitalism in the past. Unlike many other books, Moazed and Johnson draw their evidence from modern examples: Facebook, Apple, Google, Uber, the large players whom have made their fortunes from the new "platform business model".

Modern Monopolies discusses the power of networks, and how the traditional "one-to-many", B-to-C model is evolving into a "many-to-many", C-to-C model with a platform business as the supervisor. The authors combine theory with practice, bringing in economic theory but supplementing it with real-world, historical examples.

This is useful for any business person, from an entrepreneur trying to make his/her way with a small startup to the largest Fortune 500 CEO trying to pivot and evolve their corporation. After reading this, I was inspired to think about what other sorts of traditional, one-to-many businesses could be transformed via a many-to-many model. Highly recommended.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Matt Smedley
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
Gives you an inside look on the tech industry that has revolutionized and given rise to an array of platforms where groups of people can be connected. Whether it is for trade or conversation these platforms have shifted the business landscape from what it used to be with wonderful insights on how to adapt and use these new systems to our advantage.

Modern Monopolies also contains a wealth of knowledge into how to build and sustain a platform. Truly an excellent read for those who need to learn about constantly adapting and evolving their online space and avoid stagnation. I truly recommend this book for anyone, whether you're starting a small business or a long time expert in their field, it provides valuable knowledge to anyone attempting to stay relevant.
Helpful
 Report
Matthew
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for anyone interested in economic trends as well as software entrepreneurs
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
I wish I had this book when I was launching my first platform business. The book cites the obvious examples today (Airbnb, Uber, etc.) while drawing clear contrasts against what could often be confused as platform businesses (Netflix). There are strong examples of the structure of the platform business model throughout without too much depth to get caught into specific weeds. Overall, it's a great primer to frame thinking around the platform business model and analyze existing or potential businesses more critically.

I had hope the book would have gone into more detail on the revenue generation mechanics of the companies creating the connections between producers and consumers, but could see how that is a very extensive topic in its own right probably worthy of it's own book :)

I definitely recommend for anyone interested in the economic trend towards the dominance of companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple as well as anyone who is starting a platform business of their own who wants to analyze their roadmap and strategy more critically.
Helpful
 Report
Aaron Rondina
4.0 out of 5 stars Moazed and Johnson outline a framework for creating the perfect platform. It is vague and perhaps intentionally withholding
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
The authors contend that the "platform" (e-marketplace) is the dominant business model of the current economy and that platform-based monopolies are, in contrast to traditional sentiment regarding monopolies, positive contributors to innovation and competition. Though these "modern monopolies" act as centralized regulators of the markets they oversee, the authors suggest data and technology allow regulation to be performed seamlessly. The result is a marketplace in which every player holds updated and accurate information on the goods and services being sold.

In the second half of the book, Moazed and Johnson outline a framework for creating the perfect platform. It is vague and perhaps intentionally withholding, as the book is partially a marketing outlet for the authors' company. This fact does not diminish the information's inherent value, though. Take a look at one of the many unicorn startups based on the idea of the platform (Uber, AirBnB, Instacart) and you will see the framework holds up. Overall, very useful information if you're looking to build a marketplace.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Aaron
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
Moazed and Johnson have perfectly defined and explained this new era of business and industry. We've moved beyond that of being the manufacturer and into the realms of digital management and platform creation. Where ideas, people, buyers, and sellers have moved away from the usual systems and operations to online platforms. If you don't learn to shift with the times then you'll very obviously be left behind. Modern Monopolies has an incredible amount of information and glimpses behind the scenes of these powerful tech companies that we are interacting with on a daily basis. Even if you're not actively pursuing an online career or business it is still a fascinating read as we all have become dependent on these new platforms.
Helpful
 Report
Daniel Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read!
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
I wouldn't say this is just an informative book, but a literal guide that teaches you how these new digital platforms are successful and how they continue to adapt to ensure longevity. I've ran a small business online for years, with some ups and downs. New insights from Modern Monopolies has made me implement changes to my own business and has greatly improved my sales. Really it comes down to understanding the market and adapting to those changes. Johnson and Moazed break it down brilliantly and give you key knowledge that can improve your business model. Network based businesses will remain dominant in the future, so pick up this book and study it well.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Ravi Punetha
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read to understand future of businesses
Reviewed in India on September 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
Must read to understand future of businesses and disruption caused by these business and value unlocking by modern monopolies. End
Report
Pedro Morales Torres
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s a Basic!!
Reviewed in Mexico on July 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
Amazing!! Excellent Book
This book is a must, if you wan’t to know how the new business models works, you need to read this book
Report
Paulo Peres
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente!
Reviewed in Brazil on July 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
Um livro muito bom para aqueles que estão buscando criar uma plataforma. Existem muitas dicas e exemplos interessantes que mostram a história da criação de diversas plataformas. Mostrando como fizeram, quais dificuldades enfrentaram, como construíram suas redes e fortaleceram seus negócios.
É um livro muito bom para quem busca conhecer mais sobre modelos de negócios. Um bom complemento para aqueles que leram "Your Strategy need a Strategy" (em especial o capítulo 5, Shaping), "Matchmaking", "Business Model Generation", "Peers Inc.".

Recomendo muito para aqueles que buscam entender o O QUE. Existe boas pinceladas no COMO, mas não espere um To-Do-List/step-by-step do processo. Pois isto depende de muitas variáveis.
2 people found this helpful
 Report
Kali
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful reading
Reviewed in Italy on May 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
Libro eccellente per avere una panoramica di tipo manualistico sulle piattaforme che dominano il nostro secolo. Non si tratta di un saggio o un libro accademico molto profondo. Se cercate qualcosa di letteratura muovetevi su qualche altro titolo. Consigliatissimo, linguaggio semplice e consigli pratici. ++++
Report
Dave Zirnhelt
5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful examples of what 'to do' and what 'not to do'.
Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
Great insight into the principles of building platforms. The examples quoted from many 'now famous' success stories are also invaluable to understand what they did in the crucial formative stages of creating their platform business. In fact, I'd love to see even more in depth case studies of each business at each step of building their platform.

I'll be reading it again.
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report