Who This Helps
You're a founder operator. Every day you face a dozen possible experiments. Which one moves the needle? The Strategy Basics: Competitive Map course is built for you. It helps you cut through noise and focus on the one move that changes your position.
Mini Case
Meet Aisha. She runs a B2B SaaS startup. She had 7 experiment ideas on her whiteboard. After building a simple competitive map (one page, 3 competitors, 2 customer segments), she spotted a gap: her main rival ignored a niche that grew 12% last quarter. She ran one experiment there. In 7 days, she got 3 paying customers. That's focus.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- List your top 3 competitors. Not every logo. Just the ones your customers compare you to.
- Pick one customer segment wedge. Choose the group where you win most. Don't dilute.
- Build a differentiation grid. Write down 3-5 features or benefits. Score yourself and rivals. Be honest.
- Find your moat signal. What can you do that others can't copy in 6 months? Write it down.
- Make one strategic tradeoff. Say no to one experiment that doesn't fit your wedge. That frees energy for the winner.
Avoid These Traps
- Listing too many competitors. You'll drown in data. Stick to 3.
- Chasing every segment. You'll end up with a bland product. Pick one wedge.
- Ignoring moat signals. If you can't name your unique advantage, you're a commodity.
- Skipping the tradeoff. Saying yes to everything means nothing gets done well.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you'll have a one-page competitive map. It will show you exactly where to run your next experiment. No more guesswork. Just a clear, high-impact move. And maybe a little extra time for coffee.