Who This Helps
This is for product managers who are tired of debates that go nowhere. You ask "should we build this?" and get opinions instead of answers. The Strategy Basics: Competitive Map course gives you a one-page artifact that turns those questions into decisions your team can act on.
Mini Case
Meet Aisha. She manages a SaaS product and had 12% of her team stuck in a feature debate for 7 days. She used the Strategy Basics: Competitive Map course to build a differentiation grid. In 3 steps, she mapped where her product wins and loses against three key competitors. The debate ended. Her team shipped a feature that increased trial signups by 20% in two weeks.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Pick one market shift that actually changes your strategy. Don't chase every trend.
- Choose the right competitor set — not every logo in the market. Focus on the three that matter most.
- Select one customer segment wedge to avoid diluted positioning. One wedge, one focus.
- Build a clean comparison grid with evidence. Use real data, not gut feelings.
- Identify your moat signals — what keeps competitors out. Protect that advantage.
Avoid These Traps
- Listing every competitor — you'll drown in noise. Pick three.
- Ignoring customer segments — one wedge beats a scattered approach.
- Using opinions instead of evidence — your grid needs facts, not guesses.
- Forgetting the strategic tradeoff — you can't win everywhere. Choose where to lose.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you'll have a one-page competitive map that answers your biggest product question. Your team will know exactly where to invest next. No more endless debates. Just a clear decision backed by evidence. And maybe a little extra time for coffee.