“I do not think that means what you think it means”: Finovate 2010, day 1

While taking copious, perhaps excessive, notes on each presenter at the Finovate Fall 2010 conference today I noticed a trend.

A trend that, frankly, I found somewhat disturbing.

Between the time I started counting (mid-point of the first of twenty-eight, rapid-fire 7 minute demos) and the end of the demonstrations there was a word that was repeated…perhaps to excess.

That word is “Platform”.

I, freely, acknowledge bias. I am, after all, a Platform Evangelist.

In the 57 uses of the word “Platform” only a handful (perhaps two handfuls) would I deem as appropriate.

The term has implications.
Technology implications.
Business model implications.

Without ranting to excess, let me postulate the following:

If you use the term “Platform”, and you don’t provide an API, it is time to consider why you chose the term for your marketing copy.

October 4, 2010

Posted in Platform.