Andrew Goodwin: Five basic principles for choosing a platform

Simple economic theory states that success encourages competition. This brings numerous consequences – some of them positive, others negative.  Imagine, for example, that a company comes up with a genuinely trailblazing, must-have product that essentially creates a whole new market. For no apparent reason, let's call this era-defining breakthrough a zambongo. It's inevitable that other businesses will want a piece of the burgeoning zambongo scene. They will set about developing their own versions, and what was briefly a monopoly will soon turn into a free-for-all.  This should bene...