[STEP BY STEP] Platforms Don't Solve Problems, People do
Future Commerce · with Yitzchak Lieblich · November 4, 2022 · 34 min
Summary
This episode challenges ecommerce operators to look beyond platform features and focus on solving fundamental business problems. It highlights the enduring power of open-source software and the human expertise required to leverage it effectively. Merchants are encouraged to critically assess their business maturity and needs before committing to a platform, prioritizing long-term solutions over quick fixes.
Key takeaways
Identify core business problems before evaluating platforms; look for solutions that address these fundamental issues rather than being swayed by feature lists.
Embrace open-source solutions for greater control and flexibility, understanding that while they may have a higher upfront cost, they can reduce long-term expenses by allowing for tailored development.
Invest in skilled development teams whether in-house or agency-side as human expertise is crucial for successful open-source implementation and problem-solving.
Understand that as your business matures, your platform needs will evolve; regularly reassess whether your current platform aligns with your strategic goals.
Avoid making platform decisions based purely on what other businesses are using; conduct an honest assessment of your business's specific requirements and maturity.
Open source software is such an important part of how the whole world is run, and it takes a community to build it. In fact, so much has been built up to this point, that everything new that’s created is standing on the shoulders of the giants that have solved problems in the past, problems that we don’t even have to think about much today. So what are the problems that we do need to investigate today and how shall we best address them? Yitzchak Lieblich from Web Solutions NYC shares how they do it. Listen in to this final episode of Season 9 of Step by Step!
What does this episode say about shopify & ecommerce platforms?
Identify core business problems before evaluating platforms; look for solutions that address these fundamental issues rather than being swayed by feature lists.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Embrace open-source solutions for greater control and flexibility, understanding that while they may have a higher upfront cost, they can reduce long-term expenses by allowing for tailored development.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Invest in skilled development teams whether in-house or agency-side as human expertise is crucial for successful open-source implementation and problem-solving.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
Understand that as your business matures, your platform needs will evolve; regularly reassess whether your current platform aligns with your strategic goals.
What does this episode say about shopify & ecommerce platforms?
Avoid making platform decisions based purely on what other businesses are using; conduct an honest assessment of your business's specific requirements and maturity.
