Platform & Marketplace Advisory – Build Smart

Platforms & Marketplaces

Build Smarter → Platforms • AI • Connections

From bustling city squares to today’s digital ecosystems, platforms and marketplaces have always powered connection. The idea is simple: bring the right people together and enable value between them.

I’m a real-world builder turned advisor. Through ClearShift (a hospitality staffing platform) and DNA-Business (expert matchmaking ecosystem), I have learned platform dynamics from the inside and grown a network of trusted experts. Today I help founders build smarter — combining platform/marketplace strategy, AI-first tools, and curated connections.

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Your platform, realised.

A platform is more than a website or an app — it’s a business that connects people or services and makes value happen between them.

You don’t need to own the product or service. You create the space, set the rules, and make the exchange possible.

If your idea connects people, services, or opportunities — I’ll help you shape it into something lean, tested, and ready to grow.

My Services

I help founders and business leaders launch smarter and grow stronger with:

Platform/Marketplace Strategy — design-led, tested, and grounded in real operator experience.
AI-First Advisory — practical tools and workflows to accelerate, automate, and cut complexity.
Curated Connections (DNA-Business) — introductions to trusted experts who become long-term partners, not just vendors.

From marketplaces and booking tools to directories and portals — if your idea connects people or services, this is for you.

Why Platform Advisory?

Most platforms don’t fail because of bad ideas — they stall because they’re overbuilt, under-tested, or disconnected from real users.

You don’t need big funding or a large dev team to start. You need lean structure, fast feedback, and a clear roadmap.

→ Stop researching. Start building.

Is this you?

A founder with a marketplace or platform idea
A business leader unsure what to launch first
A product owner or team stuck on traction
A company with platform potential — but no clear path forward

If you’re building something that connects people — and you want a design-led, AI-enhanced approach to do it smarter — I can help.

An AI-Enhanced Edge

The best platforms don’t just connect people — they learn, adapt, and improve fast. My work is shaped by an AI-first approach: using prompts, tools, and workflows to cut friction, unlock insights, and move smarter.

This helps solve common platform challenges faster: from onboarding automation to intelligent matching systems. Every AI implementation is designed to accelerate platform growth and traction.

How We Help Platforms & Marketplaces Succeed.

Attract and activate both sides of a marketplace
Break the cold start trap
Improve trust, matching, and flow
Use AI to cut waste and speed up learning
Build momentum without the wrong tech

This includes:

→ Idea validation & traction audits
→ Liquidity and trust strategies
→ Platform design sprints
→ AI tools, prompts, and workflows
→ Curated expert introductions
→ Personalised advisory sessions

The How-To’s

You will work directly with me, Alan Williams — not an agency.

I bring a unique blend of:

Platform strategy from real-world builds (ClearShift, DNA-Business, startups, and corporates)
UX and Service Design from years leading design teams
AI-enhanced tools that cut friction and speed up traction
A connector’s network built through DNA-Business

I don’t just advise — I build with you. And every session is hands-on, clear, and built for traction.

Ways to Work Together

One-off Advisory Session
→ A focused 60–90 minute working session on a specific challenge or opportunity.
→ Includes a 1–2 page follow-up with key insights and practical next steps.
Project-Based Engagement
→ A structured engagement to design or validate something bigger, such as a new platform model, AI roadmap, or go-to-market plan.
→ Scoped and priced per project.
Retainer / Ongoing Partner
→ A monthly partnership where I act as your strategy and AI-first advisor.
→ Includes regular sessions, ongoing support, and continuous input into your business.
→ Fee based on scope and level of involvement.