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Successful catalysts have a thorough understanding of how and why their customers need each other. An aspiring catalyst must find some new source of value that can be created by bringing together a community of people whose members benefit from interacting with each other and then map the community to determine how to create value for members.
Task (1). Identify Distinct Groups That Need Each Other Anyone considering creating a catalyst needs to embark on an exploratory expedition to determine the boundaries of the possible community. Catalysts Discussed: Tufts-New England Medical Center, YouTube, MySpace.com, Diners Club, DoCoMo
Task (2). Determine How Much Groups Need Each Other--And Why Catalysts create value by developing ways to obstacles faced by members of one group getting together with members of the other group. Catalysts Discussed: Niche Media (publisher of Cape Code Life, Jewelry W, Decanter, All In)
Task (3). Look At Who Else Is Serving the Community Many catalysts have foundered because their paying customers could get the same product for less from another catalyst with a different business model. Catalysts Discussed: ATM and debit-card systems, Debitman (now Tempo)
Task (4). Compare Multisided with One-Sided Business Models Just because it is possible to create a catalyst to provide an innovative product or service doesn't mean that a catalyst is the only business model or even the best one. Catalysts Discussed: Apple iPod and iTunes, Microsoft's Zune, PalmOS and PalmPilot
Some of the most successful catalysts began by identifying a problem that's solution makes people or businesses better off and understanding why a catalyst is needed in the first place. » For more on creating platform communities, visit Step 1 of the Framework™
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Chapter 3: Identify the Catalyst Community 