Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Gause’s Principle of Competitive Exclusion state?
What does Gause’s Principle of Competitive Exclusion state?
Which factor is considered the major, all-pervasive factor in natural competition?
Which factor is considered the major, all-pervasive factor in natural competition?
What is the primary objective when developing a business strategy?
What is the primary objective when developing a business strategy?
How does the variety in an environment contribute to species abundance?
How does the variety in an environment contribute to species abundance?
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Which of the following factors can differentiate business competitors?
Which of the following factors can differentiate business competitors?
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What does 'expanding the size of your market' imply for a business?
What does 'expanding the size of your market' imply for a business?
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In terms of business competition, which statement regarding competitors is true?
In terms of business competition, which statement regarding competitors is true?
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What role does imagination and logic play in strategy?
What role does imagination and logic play in strategy?
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What type of problem has a clear solution and aims to embed something procedurally?
What type of problem has a clear solution and aims to embed something procedurally?
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What is the essence of 'Strategy' as defined in the content?
What is the essence of 'Strategy' as defined in the content?
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Which of the following represents a Type 2 problem?
Which of the following represents a Type 2 problem?
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What does 'First Principles Thinking' encourage in strategic thinking?
What does 'First Principles Thinking' encourage in strategic thinking?
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Which of the following statements captures the essence of 'Trade-offs' in strategy?
Which of the following statements captures the essence of 'Trade-offs' in strategy?
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What is a characteristic of Type 3 problems?
What is a characteristic of Type 3 problems?
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How does 'Systems-Level Thinking' enhance strategic vision?
How does 'Systems-Level Thinking' enhance strategic vision?
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What is meant by the 'Pareto principle' in the context of strategy?
What is meant by the 'Pareto principle' in the context of strategy?
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What is the primary reason a business should exist?
What is the primary reason a business should exist?
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Which element is NOT part of strategic competition according to the content?
Which element is NOT part of strategic competition according to the content?
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What does a competitor's failure to react to a strategic move potentially lead to?
What does a competitor's failure to react to a strategic move potentially lead to?
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What is one of the two fundamental inhibitions that moderate revolutionary change in strategy?
What is one of the two fundamental inhibitions that moderate revolutionary change in strategy?
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What does the term 'Pyrrhic Victory' signify in a business context?
What does the term 'Pyrrhic Victory' signify in a business context?
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According to the content, a comprehensive long-term plan a nation uses to achieve its objectives is called what?
According to the content, a comprehensive long-term plan a nation uses to achieve its objectives is called what?
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Which of these strategies is advised when engaging with competition?
Which of these strategies is advised when engaging with competition?
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The concept of engaged competition without creating a loser is emphasized with which principle?
The concept of engaged competition without creating a loser is emphasized with which principle?
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What does 'Fog of War' refer to in the context of strategy?
What does 'Fog of War' refer to in the context of strategy?
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Which factor is considered vital in predicting competitive behavior?
Which factor is considered vital in predicting competitive behavior?
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What is an important aspect to consider when forming a business strategy?
What is an important aspect to consider when forming a business strategy?
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How should a business express its strategy to deter competitors?
How should a business express its strategy to deter competitors?
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What characterizes the relationship between battles and wars in business strategy?
What characterizes the relationship between battles and wars in business strategy?
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What does strategic positioning require companies to do in comparison to their rivals?
What does strategic positioning require companies to do in comparison to their rivals?
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Which of the following best explains the concept of 'fit' in strategy?
Which of the following best explains the concept of 'fit' in strategy?
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What does the productivity frontier represent in business strategy?
What does the productivity frontier represent in business strategy?
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What is a key consequence of excessive benchmarking among companies?
What is a key consequence of excessive benchmarking among companies?
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Which principle is NOT one of the key principles underlying strategic positioning?
Which principle is NOT one of the key principles underlying strategic positioning?
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Why is a strategic position not sustainable?
Why is a strategic position not sustainable?
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What is the essence of making trade-offs in strategy?
What is the essence of making trade-offs in strategy?
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How does fit drive competitive advantage?
How does fit drive competitive advantage?
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Which statement about intra-company activity coordination is true?
Which statement about intra-company activity coordination is true?
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What should a company avoid to maintain its competitive advantage?
What should a company avoid to maintain its competitive advantage?
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What is a significant challenge in achieving fit among activities?
What is a significant challenge in achieving fit among activities?
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The desire to grow can lead to what kind of detrimental effect on strategy?
The desire to grow can lead to what kind of detrimental effect on strategy?
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What must strategy development fundamentally address?
What must strategy development fundamentally address?
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What role do leaders play in effective strategy formulation?
What role do leaders play in effective strategy formulation?
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What is the significance of the gap between Espoused Strategy and Strategy-in-Use?
What is the significance of the gap between Espoused Strategy and Strategy-in-Use?
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What is a common misconception that can undermine a strategy?
What is a common misconception that can undermine a strategy?
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Which type of fit ensures competitive advantages across activities do not cancel each other out?
Which type of fit ensures competitive advantages across activities do not cancel each other out?
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Which statement accurately reflects the nature of strategy according to the content?
Which statement accurately reflects the nature of strategy according to the content?
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What is the primary aim of strategy as a problem-solving technique?
What is the primary aim of strategy as a problem-solving technique?
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What major issue do entrepreneurs face when they rely solely on instinct instead of strategic planning?
What major issue do entrepreneurs face when they rely solely on instinct instead of strategic planning?
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Why can special positions based on activity systems be more sustainable?
Why can special positions based on activity systems be more sustainable?
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What is the primary risk associated with organizations that treat strategy as mere statements without execution?
What is the primary risk associated with organizations that treat strategy as mere statements without execution?
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What is required for an organization to sustainably deliver unique value to customers?
What is required for an organization to sustainably deliver unique value to customers?
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Which aspect is crucial for corporate strategy amidst structural changes in the industry?
Which aspect is crucial for corporate strategy amidst structural changes in the industry?
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Which of the following best defines 'where to play' in strategic terms?
Which of the following best defines 'where to play' in strategic terms?
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What must organizations do to successfully navigate the strategy development process?
What must organizations do to successfully navigate the strategy development process?
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Which aspect differentiates cost leaders from differentiators in business strategy?
Which aspect differentiates cost leaders from differentiators in business strategy?
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What is considered a core capability necessary for successful business strategy?
What is considered a core capability necessary for successful business strategy?
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Which of the following reflects a successful capability an organization must have in its strategy?
Which of the following reflects a successful capability an organization must have in its strategy?
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Which management system is crucial for implementing and measuring a strategy?
Which management system is crucial for implementing and measuring a strategy?
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How can an organization's aspiration be characterized, according to the content?
How can an organization's aspiration be characterized, according to the content?
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What is the primary difference between operational effectiveness and strategy?
What is the primary difference between operational effectiveness and strategy?
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Why is planning considered separate from strategy in a business context?
Why is planning considered separate from strategy in a business context?
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What is the consequence of treating strategy as fantasy within an organization?
What is the consequence of treating strategy as fantasy within an organization?
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What is meant by the term 'productivity frontier'?
What is meant by the term 'productivity frontier'?
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What is a critical component of a strategy that helps in guiding a business?
What is a critical component of a strategy that helps in guiding a business?
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What does it mean when an organization is said to have an astute strategy?
What does it mean when an organization is said to have an astute strategy?
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Which element is essential for creating a successful competitive advantage according to strategic principles?
Which element is essential for creating a successful competitive advantage according to strategic principles?
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Which of the following describes strategic positioning?
Which of the following describes strategic positioning?
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What does the 'Choice Cascade' emphasize in the strategy formulation process?
What does the 'Choice Cascade' emphasize in the strategy formulation process?
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What does it mean to 'accept angst' in the context of strategy?
What does it mean to 'accept angst' in the context of strategy?
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What is a key outcome of identifying core strengths in strategy development?
What is a key outcome of identifying core strengths in strategy development?
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How does operational effectiveness contribute to competitive positioning?
How does operational effectiveness contribute to competitive positioning?
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What is a common consequence of competitive convergence?
What is a common consequence of competitive convergence?
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How did Southwest Airlines demonstrate its strategy for competitive advantage?
How did Southwest Airlines demonstrate its strategy for competitive advantage?
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Which of the following exemplifies needs-based positioning?
Which of the following exemplifies needs-based positioning?
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What is a primary reason leaders spend a lot of time on planning?
What is a primary reason leaders spend a lot of time on planning?
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What role does the concept of outsourcing play in business strategy?
What role does the concept of outsourcing play in business strategy?
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What must an organization articulate to ensure the effectiveness of its strategy?
What must an organization articulate to ensure the effectiveness of its strategy?
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In what way can access-based positioning benefit a business?
In what way can access-based positioning benefit a business?
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Which of the following illustrates a significant misunderstanding of what constitutes a strategy?
Which of the following illustrates a significant misunderstanding of what constitutes a strategy?
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Why is it essential for an organization to establish management systems in relation to its strategy?
Why is it essential for an organization to establish management systems in relation to its strategy?
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Which statement accurately reflects the essence of competitive strategy?
Which statement accurately reflects the essence of competitive strategy?
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What can lead to wars of attrition in competition?
What can lead to wars of attrition in competition?
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What is a factor that can create a self-inflicted wound in competition?
What is a factor that can create a self-inflicted wound in competition?
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Which company exemplifies a focused competitor according to the content?
Which company exemplifies a focused competitor according to the content?
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What distinguishes successful companies that utilize operational effectiveness?
What distinguishes successful companies that utilize operational effectiveness?
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Flashcards
Gause's Principle
Gause's Principle
No two species can coexist if they exploit resources identically.
Competitive Advantage
Competitive Advantage
A feature that allows a business to outperform rivals in a specific area.
Natural Competition
Natural Competition
The process where species compete for resources without deliberate plans or strategies.
Strategy in Business
Strategy in Business
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Expanding Market
Expanding Market
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Market Size (Business)
Market Size (Business)
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Strategy's Role
Strategy's Role
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Similar Competitors
Similar Competitors
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Type 1 Problem
Type 1 Problem
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Type 2 Problem
Type 2 Problem
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Type 3 Problem
Type 3 Problem
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Strategic Vision
Strategic Vision
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Mental Models
Mental Models
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First Principles Thinking *
First Principles Thinking *
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Theory of the Game
Theory of the Game
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What is Strategy?
What is Strategy?
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Strategic Commitment
Strategic Commitment
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Competitive Equilibrium
Competitive Equilibrium
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Strategic Advantage
Strategic Advantage
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Shifting Competitive Boundaries
Shifting Competitive Boundaries
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Pyrrhic Victory
Pyrrhic Victory
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Grand Strategy
Grand Strategy
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Fog of War
Fog of War
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Sustainable Outcome
Sustainable Outcome
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Unnecessary Destruction
Unnecessary Destruction
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Escape Road
Escape Road
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Third Important Actor
Third Important Actor
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Strategy vs. Tactics
Strategy vs. Tactics
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Competition for Resources
Competition for Resources
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Rational Self-Interest
Rational Self-Interest
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Competitive Advantage's Importance
Competitive Advantage's Importance
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Operational Effectiveness
Operational Effectiveness
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Productivity Frontier
Productivity Frontier
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Strategic Positioning
Strategic Positioning
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Trade-offs in Strategy
Trade-offs in Strategy
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Fit in Strategy
Fit in Strategy
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Competitive Convergence
Competitive Convergence
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Strategy vs. Operational Effectiveness
Strategy vs. Operational Effectiveness
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Variety-Based Positioning
Variety-Based Positioning
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Needs-Based Positioning
Needs-Based Positioning
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Access-Based Positioning
Access-Based Positioning
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Focused Competitor
Focused Competitor
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Broadly Targeted Competitor
Broadly Targeted Competitor
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Strategic Positioning's Essence
Strategic Positioning's Essence
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Positioning's Source: Product or Service
Positioning's Source: Product or Service
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Positioning's Source: Customer Needs
Positioning's Source: Customer Needs
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Sustainable Strategic Position
Sustainable Strategic Position
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Positioning's Source: Customer Access
Positioning's Source: Customer Access
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Positioning's Key Element
Positioning's Key Element
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Straddling
Straddling
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Types of Fit
Types of Fit
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Simple Consistency
Simple Consistency
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Activities are Reinforcing
Activities are Reinforcing
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Optimization of Effort
Optimization of Effort
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Fit and Sustainability
Fit and Sustainability
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Failure to Choose
Failure to Choose
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The Growth Trap
The Growth Trap
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Profitable Growth
Profitable Growth
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Role of Leadership
Role of Leadership
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Strategy as Problem-Solving
Strategy as Problem-Solving
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Strategic Agenda
Strategic Agenda
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Espoused Theory vs. Theory-in-Use
Espoused Theory vs. Theory-in-Use
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Strategy as Fantasy
Strategy as Fantasy
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Strategy as a Learning Journey
Strategy as a Learning Journey
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What is your Winning Aspiration?
What is your Winning Aspiration?
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Where Will You Play?
Where Will You Play?
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How Will You Win?
How Will You Win?
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Capabilities Must Be in Place
Capabilities Must Be in Place
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Management Systems Required
Management Systems Required
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Strategy is a Set of Choices
Strategy is a Set of Choices
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Strategy is What You DO, Not What You SAY
Strategy is What You DO, Not What You SAY
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The Problem with the Espoused Strategy/Strategy-in-Use Gap
The Problem with the Espoused Strategy/Strategy-in-Use Gap
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Define Your Current Position
Define Your Current Position
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Align Actions with Aspiration
Align Actions with Aspiration
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What is the core of competitive advantage?
What is the core of competitive advantage?
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Cost Leadership vs. Differentiation
Cost Leadership vs. Differentiation
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What does cost leadership involve?
What does cost leadership involve?
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What does differentiation involve?
What does differentiation involve?
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What are core capabilities?
What are core capabilities?
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What is the role of management systems?
What is the role of management systems?
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What is a choice cascade?
What is a choice cascade?
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Why is planning not strategy?
Why is planning not strategy?
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What makes a good strategic theory?
What makes a good strategic theory?
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What is the 'planning trap'?
What is the 'planning trap'?
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How to avoid the 'planning trap'?
How to avoid the 'planning trap'?
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What are the key elements of a winning strategy?
What are the key elements of a winning strategy?
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What is the difference between strategy and planning?
What is the difference between strategy and planning?
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Study Notes
Origin of Strategy
- Gause's Principle of Competitive Exclusion: No two species can coexist if they exploit resources identically.
- Competition existed before strategy; in the absence of counterbalancing forces, only one species survives.
- Over a million species exist today, each with unique advantages for resource competition; this abundance stems from environmental variety.
- Natural competition, for millions of years, involved chance and probability in finding resources. This random chance drives mutations and variations.
- Those adapting best are successful; those less adapted are displaced.
- Business strategies can accelerate competitive effects and rate of change.
- Strategy requires understanding the complex web of natural competition, where competitors consistently push each other out.
- Competitive differences in business can be related to price, function, availability, time utility, place utility, or perceptions.
- A deliberate strategy develops a business's competitive advantage and compounds it.
Competitive Advantage and Market Expansion
- Businesses possess 100% of their own market; their goal is market expansion.
- A business must have a unique advantage over rivals to justify its existence.
- Competition can be challenging and disadvantageous, even with favorable conditions.
- Strategic boundaries are defined to separate rivals and expand into potential competitor's markets.
Elements of Strategic Competition
- Understanding competitive behaviors as a system; interacting competitors, customers, resources, and money.
- Predicting how strategic moves will realign competitive balance.
- Commitment of resources to new uses, even though benefits are deferred.
- Accurate risk and return prediction to justify commitments.
- Willingness to act.
Natural vs. Strategic Competition
- Natural competition is low-risk, incremental trial and error.
- Strategy aims for sweeping changes in competitive relationships.
- Two moderating factors for strategic change are failure consequences and existing defender advantages.
War and Business Strategy (Martin's perspective)
- The goal of war is to subdue the enemy without unnecessary destruction.
- Prolongued warfare is disadvantageous; aim for win-win situations.
- Surround an army, leaving an escape route, or force competitors to relocate.
- Treat your team members well—this is important in both business and war. Competitors and customers are also key players.
Origins of Strategy: Military Parallels
- Sun Tzu's quote acknowledges the importance of strategy.
- Carl Von Clausewitz emphasizes uncertainty in war.
Strategy: Types, Concepts, and Approaches
- Battles are about achieving a specific victory; wars involve broader, long-term goals.
- Pyrrhic Victory: a victory achieved at great cost, almost tantamount to defeat.
- Grand Strategy- a comprehensive long-term plan for achieving overarching objectives, including military, economic, and diplomatic aspects.
Tactical vs. Strategic Thinking
- Prioritizing urgent vs. important concerns.
- Short-term vs. long-term impact of decisions.
- Reacting to events vs. taking proactive actions.
- Strategic thinking—formulate, tactical execution—act, procedural institutionalization—embed.
Metacognition and Mental Models
- Thinking about thinking to improve understanding of strategies.
- Mental models for interpreting competitive situations.
- Understanding the differences between maps and territories—models and real-world environments.
- Systems-level thinking for understanding interconnected aspects of a competitive situation, recognizing the interconnectedness.
- First principles thinking for identifying fundamental truths.
Strategy as a Theory of the Game
- Strategy is about having a clear understanding (theory) of the system being played in.
- Understanding players, dynamics, rules, and incentives to create successful outcomes.
- Anticipating factors affecting success.
3 Key Strategic Mindsets
- Focus on customers; customer-centric thinking
- Recognize the complexity of competitive systems
- Shaping the future for organizations rather than simply responding to it.
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Description
Explore the relationship between natural competition and business strategies in this quiz. Delve into concepts like Gause's Principle of Competitive Exclusion and understand how species survive and thrive. Gain insights on how these principles apply to formulating effective business strategies in a competitive landscape.