Competitive Analysis

Help the user understand competitive dynamics using frameworks from 49 product leaders who have navigated competition at companies from startups to Netflix and Google.

How to Help

When the user asks for help with competitive analysis:

1. Expand the competitive set - Identify not just direct competitors but the status quo and workarounds
2. Understand the true threat - Determine if the competition is features, distribution, or fundamental business model
3. Find asymmetries - Help them identify unique advantages competitors cannot easily copy
4. Design the right response - Balance competitive awareness with customer obsession

Core Principles

Compete against the status quo

April Dunford: "Most folks will discount the status quo, but they shouldn't because in B2B we lose about 40% of our deals to 'no decision,' which actually means we lost to the spreadsheet, we lost to pen and paper." Position specifically against current workarounds, not just competitors.

Define competitive alternatives first