Compete harder, or escape competition?

Side one

Win the competitive game

Understand industry forces and rivals, choose a position and outmanoeuvre opponents.

Competitive Strategy · The Art of War
Side two

Create a new space

Competition destroys profits. Build something new where rivals are irrelevant.

Zero to One · Blue Ocean Strategy
Common ground

Both say avoid head-to-head fights where you have no advantage.

How to reconcile them

Escape where you can, compete well where you must. Look for uncontested space first, but once rivals arrive, use positioning and strategy to defend it.

When each side is right

Seek new space when creating a product or entering a market. Use competitive strategy when the market is established and crowded.

Which side are you on?Vote in the app, see what others picked, and explore the debate with AI.

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