Comparing business models: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon & Facebook

Alex Osterwalder
June 1, 2017
#
 min read
topics
Business Models
Business Strategy
Technology

All five tech giants have similar business model building blocks, but the importance of each block varies in each model. We break it down for you in a first rough conceptual prototype.


Tech_Companies_Apple_Facebook_Alphabet_Microsoft_Amazon

The table above that I’ve put together was triggered by this great visual put together by Visual Capitalist (scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the image). The image by Visual Capitalist does a great job of comparing the major revenues. I thought it could be interesting to break that comparison down even further beyond the revenue element of each company’s business model.

When you look at the prototype table above you see how all five companies have very similar building blocks, but the importance of each one of those building blocks vary in each business model. This is a very rough comparison; and if I had taken more time, I’d have drawn up and compared Business Model Canvases for each company. And if you attend our master workshops or take an online course, you’ll see that we’ve analyzed some of the above business models in more detail (e.g. the evolution of Apple’s business model over time).

This is a work-in-progress, and I welcome your feedback or comments to help progress this analysis. Click through to the spreadsheet and leave me your thoughts directly in the document.

chart-five-tech-companies-revenues (1)
Image source: Visual Capitalist.


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About the speakers

Alex Osterwalder
Entrepreneur, speaker and business theorist

Dr. Alexander (Alex) Osterwalder is one of the world’s most influential innovation experts, a leading author, entrepreneur and in-demand speaker whose work has changed the way established companies do business and how new ventures get started.

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Alex Osterwalder
June 1, 2017
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Comparing business models: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon & Facebook
Examples

Comparing business models: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon & Facebook

Comparing business models: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon & Facebook
Examples

Comparing business models: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon & Facebook

June 1, 2017
#
 min read
topics
Business Models
Business Strategy
Technology

All five tech giants have similar business model building blocks, but the importance of each block varies in each model. We break it down for you in a first rough conceptual prototype.


Tech_Companies_Apple_Facebook_Alphabet_Microsoft_Amazon

The table above that I’ve put together was triggered by this great visual put together by Visual Capitalist (scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the image). The image by Visual Capitalist does a great job of comparing the major revenues. I thought it could be interesting to break that comparison down even further beyond the revenue element of each company’s business model.

When you look at the prototype table above you see how all five companies have very similar building blocks, but the importance of each one of those building blocks vary in each business model. This is a very rough comparison; and if I had taken more time, I’d have drawn up and compared Business Model Canvases for each company. And if you attend our master workshops or take an online course, you’ll see that we’ve analyzed some of the above business models in more detail (e.g. the evolution of Apple’s business model over time).

This is a work-in-progress, and I welcome your feedback or comments to help progress this analysis. Click through to the spreadsheet and leave me your thoughts directly in the document.

chart-five-tech-companies-revenues (1)
Image source: Visual Capitalist.


related reads
No items found.
Comparing business models: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon & Facebook

All five tech giants have similar business model building blocks, but the importance of each block varies in each model. We break it down for you in a first rough conceptual prototype.

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Comparing business models: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon & Facebook
Comparing business models: Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon & Facebook
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Whether you’re looking for more information or you’re ready to start a project, we’re ready to help.
Thanks for your interest in our solutions. We will be in touch with you soon.