Who This Helps
Hey Junior Analyst. You’ve got data, ideas, and a to-do list a mile long. This is for you when you need to stop spinning and ship a clean analysis with a clear recommendation. The Strategy Basics: Competitive Map course shows you exactly how to do that.
Mini Case
Imagine your team is debating whether to improve the checkout flow or launch a new product feature. You map 5 competitors and see 4 of them have recently upgraded their checkout, but only 1 has your proposed feature. The data shows a 15% average lift in conversion for those checkout upgrades. Suddenly, your recommendation is crystal clear and backed by the market.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- List your top 5 direct competitors. Yes, just 5.
- Pick 3 key dimensions you compete on (like price, features, or user experience).
- Plot each competitor on a simple 2x2 grid using two of those dimensions.
- Look for the crowded quadrant and the empty space. The empty space is your opportunity.
- Frame your next experiment to test moving into that open space. Your analysis just got a major upgrade.
Avoid These Traps
- Don't map 20 competitors. You'll drown in noise. Stick to 5-7.
- Don't use vague dimensions like "quality." Get specific, like "support response time < 2 hours."
- Don't just present the map. The magic is in the insight—point out the gap and recommend the move.
- Don't forget to time-box this. Give yourself 90 minutes to build the first draft. Done is better than perfect.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you can have a one-page competitive map that shifts your team's debate from opinions to strategy. You'll propose one focused experiment, like testing a price match guarantee if you spot a high-price cluster. You'll be the analyst who brings focus, not just data. Go find that open space on the map!