Posts Tagged ‘competition analysis’
How will your clients replace you?
Not all competitors are direct competitors. You are not only competing against people whose business cards have the same words as yours does. Your clients could also find a whole new option or direction that eliminates their need to hire you at all. Understand how you can be replaced. Replacement competition There are various ways…
Read MoreHow competitive are your competitors?
Two sentences that will grind your business to a halt: “Anyone is a good client” And “I have no competitors” Let me assure you that taking this approach will slow down your business growth rather than drive it. You should consider it good news to hear that neither statement is true. Welcome competition In my…
Read MoreCompetitive Advantage: Know Thyself
This saying from ancient Greek, “know thyself”, is often used as a warning against boastfulness. That’s good advice when it comes to describing your competitive advantage. You don’t want a value proposition that merely says you are better than the competition. Indeed, you don’t want a value proposition that talks about your competition at all. …
Read MoreWhat are your clients thinking about when they buy from you
The answer is: it’s not about you. So how do your customers buy? Deciding to buy something means knowing that choice is the best option; using the money there instead of somewhere else, hoping it will be a long-term solution, considering what else has to change to accept this new product and more. The better…
Read MoreHow Do You Keep Up?
“How do you remain ahead of competitors when dealing with digital challenges?” This question was presented in a small business forum, which I frequent. Things happen quickly in digital trends, customer preferences, and life in general, frankly. When a competitor seems to be making noise, the immediate reaction is often to try to one-up them.…
Read MoreFive Competitive Forces
Last week I promised more information about the various competitive forces a business faces. In past posts we have tackled the categories of direct competition. This makes up just one of Porter’s Five Forces. What is the Five Forces model Michael Porter developed his “Five Forces of Competitive Position Analysis” in 1979, creating some timeless…
Read MoreWhy You Should Welcome Competition
There really is space in the market for more than one of you. Focus on your differences, not your similarities, and learn to carve out your niche areas. More importantly: don’t focus on your competition when considering how to innovate and develop. We’ve mentioned this before, but Stephen Fry really says it best: What is…
Read MoreHow do you differentiate yourself from your peers?
A fairly common question. And an important one. I answered this on an online forum recently, and it is worth sharing those thoughts here. As with much of what I say: start by being deliberate about who you are, what you do, and how you do it. The Answer Start by asking yourself: What do…
Read MoreBe The Best Option
People have options in life. Whenever you buy a product or service, you choose what to buy, based on the issue you want resolved. Your clients are the same, they have choices. You may know that you are the best and obvious choice for them, but here’s the problem: all of your competitors know that…
Read MoreWhat Not To Do
Recently I was preparing for a brief talk on Michael Porter’s Five Forces Analysis, and it got me thinking of another reason I admire Porter: his great quote that “The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do”. Working on a new strategy, tactic or general idea is exciting. Enthusiasm grows, energy abounds, and…
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