Product partners and creating a minimum viable ecosystem

B2B companies often rely on partnerships and ecosystems to bring their products to market, especially when they cannot fulfill end-customer needs entirely on their own. Product managers in such companies must navigate the complexities of integrating their products into an ecosystem, often opting to partner rather than build or buy solutions due to time and cost constraints. This strategy involves identifying a "minimum viable ecosystem" (MVE), which is the smallest configuration of partners and activities that can demonstrate value creation and attract new partners. Unlike a minimum viable product (MVP), which focuses on testing a product concept, an MVE tests the commitment of partners and the overall value proposition to customers. The goal is to foster collaboration and confidence among partners rather than immediate profit, which can be challenging for organizations focused on short-term returns. Successful MVEs require coordination, integration, and alignment of values and goals among diverse partners, akin to a multiplayer mode in gaming, where many variables and players are involved. This collaborative approach can lead to significant long-term benefits by leveraging each partner's unique contributions.