Unbundling the Future: Matt McLarty & Stephen Fishman on APIs, Innovation, and Business Growth

Breakthrough Innovation

In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we’re joined by Matt McLarty and Stephen Fishman, co-authors of Unbundling the Enterprise: APIs, Optionality, and the Science of Happy Accidents. As technology leaders at Boomi, they share their expertise on how APIs drive business transformation, create new revenue streams, and help companies adapt to an unpredictable future.

McLarty and Fishman take us on a journey through the power of unbundling, showing how businesses can thrive by designing for flexibility. They introduce their OOPS framework—Optionality, Opportunism, and Optimization—explaining how embracing uncertainty leads to unexpected success. This episode is packed with insights for executives, developers, and anyone navigating digital transformation.

Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:

APIs as Business Accelerators

Discover why APIs aren’t just a technical tool but a strategic asset that enables rapid growth, innovation, and operational efficiency.

Lessons from Market Leaders

Learn how companies like Google, Coca-Cola, and Cox Automotive leverage APIs to unlock new opportunities and create scalable business models.

Why Flexibility Beats Prediction

McLarty and Fishman break down why businesses should focus on adaptability rather than trying to predict the future—and how APIs help achieve this.

Overcoming Legacy Challenges

Explore how traditional enterprises can transition to API-driven ecosystems without disrupting their core business operations.

The Science of ‘Happy Accidents’

Understand how fostering an environment of experimentation leads to unexpected breakthroughs and competitive advantages.

The OOPS Framework for Innovation

Get a deep dive into their framework—Optionality, Opportunism, and Optimization—and how it helps businesses thrive in an uncertain world.

Avoiding Common API Pitfalls

From security concerns to poor implementation strategies, learn what businesses often get wrong when integrating APIs—and how to do it right.

Key Takeaways:

• APIs unlock hidden business potential and drive scalability.
• Designing for flexibility enables companies to seize unexpected opportunities.
• Preparation and adaptability are more valuable than rigid long-term predictions.
• Legacy businesses can successfully transition into the API economy with the right strategy.

Links And Resources:

• Matt McLarty Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mattmclartybc
• Stephen Fishman Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/stephenhfishman
• https://www.reverbnation.com/mattmclarty (Personal)
• apiacademy.co/profile/matt-mclarty (Blog)

Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!