I just finished reading 7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy by Hamilton Helmer . Definitely one of those reads where the ideas seems obvious only after you've read them. Helmer's intention was to create a framework simple enough that any front-line leader could easily remember and draw from it. Quick summary is that it covers seven sources of strategic business advantage and the order in which you should pursue those depending on company stage. To win in the long-run, operational excellence and execution aren't enough; you also need strategic advantage. The 7 powers of strategic advantage each confer a benefit to the company and introduce barriers preventing competitors from copying or neutralizing that advantage. As your business progresses, different sources of power become available. Here are the company stages, powers that are unlocked at each stage, and a short description of each: Early Stage (Start-up) : counter positioning (position wher...
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