Who This Helps
This is for founders and operators who feel stuck in analysis mode. You've done the competitor research, but now you need to turn those insights into a clear strategy your team can execute. The Market Intelligence & Positioning course gives you the exact framework to do that.
Mini Case
Zaid, a founder, spent 3 weeks analyzing 12 competitors. He had a 40-page deck full of data but no clear direction. His team was confused. He used the 'Positioning Grid' mission from the course. In 2 days, he built a one-page visual that compared 5 key players on 4 criteria. It showed their unique wedge. The next team meeting? A 30-minute alignment session that led to a new product bet they shipped in 7 days.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Grab your last competitor audit. Pull out the top 5 names you keep talking about.
- Pick 3-4 comparison criteria that actually matter to your customers, like pricing model or core feature set.
- Draw a simple grid. List competitors down the side, criteria across the top.
- Fill in each box with one word or a simple score (High/Med/Low). No essays allowed.
- Spot the empty white space on the grid. That's your potential wedge. Circle it. That's your one-page artifact.
Avoid These Traps
- Don't compare on 10+ criteria. It becomes noise. Stick to the 3-4 that drive customer decisions.
- Avoid using internal jargon on your grid. If your customer wouldn't say the word, don't use it.
- Don't get stuck making it beautiful in a design tool. A whiteboard or slide is perfect.
- Resist the urge to classify every competitor claim as equally important. Separate evidence from narrative noise.
- Don't present the grid as the final answer. Present it as the map for the next discussion.
- Skipping the 'ICP Wedge Choice' step will make your grid generic. Know who you're for.
- Don't hide the trade-offs. Your position means saying 'no' to some things. Show that.
- Waiting for perfect data. Use what you have now, mark assumptions, and keep moving.
Your Win by Friday
Your win isn't a finished strategy doc. It's a single page—your Positioning Grid—printed and on the wall. You'll use it to frame your next leadership sync, cutting debate time in half. You'll move from talking about competitors to deciding what to build next. That's how you turn analysis into approved execution. Time to make the grid.