Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World

3. Compete Network Against Network

Companies used to see competition as firm against firm. But a networked world is like a team sport—the final score depends not on one player, but on the strength of the entire team. The best network will win. How do you design a network that provides a platform for rapid growth?

With the start of spring, the minds of all red-blooded males north of the Mason-Dixon Line in North America turn toward the barbecue. With the thawing of the snows, rolling out the barbecue is a ritual act of welcoming the summer. It is the modern equivalent of dancing around the maypole. Tossing steaks or burgers on the barbecue means the coming of summer. When the snow thaws, it triggers the barbecue reflex in the brain.

For manufacturers ...