From Ecosystem Strategy to Execution: What Really Makes Business Ecosystems Work

Business ecosystems are everywhere in strategy decks - but far fewer survive contact with reality.

In this episode of BeyondCore, we go beyond theory and talk honestly about what it takes to implement, govern, and scale business ecosystems inside real organizations.

Together with the authors of the book “Business Ecosystems - Strategizing, Entrepreneurship, and Structural Change”, we unpack why ecosystem initiatives fail, how to execute them pragmatically, and what leaders systematically underestimate." Business Ecosystems - Strategizing in a Connected World.

🎧 What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why ecosystem strategies don’t fail because of bad ideas, but because of weak execution

How to define a system-level value proposition that actually attracts partners

What a Minimum Viable Ecosystem (MVE) is - and why it’s more important than a perfect vision

How to choose the right role in an ecosystem (orchestrator vs. complementor)

The hidden internal risks that kill ecosystems before they flourish

How to rethink KPIs, governance, and investment logic for ecosystem contexts

Why ecosystems require a new operating model, not just a new strategy

How to balance autonomy vs. integration when setting up separate ecosystem entities

What kind of mindset, leadership, and ownership ecosystems truly need to survive long term

💡 Key quotes from the episode

Professor of Strategic and International Management @ EBS Universität

“Ecosystems usually don’t fail because of the strategy - they fail when independent actors are asked to commit, integrate, and invest under uncertainty.”

“Momentum beats elegance. It’s not about making ecosystems perfect - it’s about making them work.”

Dr. Pia Kerstin Neudert

Senior Project Manager, Group Sustainability Management @ Commerzbank

“The real challenge starts when the ecosystem strategy leaves the innovation unit and hits the core organization.”

“With ecosystems, you don’t fully control outcomes anymore - so you must rethink how you measure success.”

Erwin Hettich

Independent Consultant and former ecosystem operator

“Ecosystem execution becomes operational much faster than most organizations expect - and that shift can be paralyzing.”

“Ecosystems fail when companies postpone hard commitments. You don’t install a new operating system without real investment.”

👥 Guests

Dr. Markus Kreutzer - Professor of Strategic and International Management @ EBS Universität

Dr. Pia Kerstin Neudert - Senior Project Manager, Group Sustainability Management @ Commerzbank

Dr. Erwin Hettich - Independent Consultant, former ecosystem operator

📘 Book: Business Ecosystems - Strategizing, Entrepreneurship, and Structural Change