The (first) one on positioning
The Strategy Omnibus, part deux
Friends,
I hope that all is well with you and yours, and that this e-mail finds you on a boat with shoddy connection, in the tropics, three months after I sent it.
Now accepting keynotes for 25Q3-25Q4
The 2025/2026 lineup:
What to do when you don’t know what to do.
How to create a sustainable competitive advantage through superior adaptability. (Based on the new book by the same name.)
Succeed big, fail small.
How to use experimentation to drive efficiency and effectiveness of innovation at scale.
Toward a fourth kind of uncertainty.
What new science reveals about old ideas.
The next paradigm.
How to level up your marketing with Nobel Prize winning science.
If you want to book me for your event, corporate speaking slot, or workshop, merely send me an email. To make sure I am available, please do so at your earliest convenience; my availability is limited and the schedule tends to fill up fast. More information may be found here.
The TL;DR
Positioning is considered so important that many strategists view it as tantamount to strategy itself.
At its most basic, the exercise centers on deliberately choosing a particular position relative to competitors - which in turn hinges on careful analysis of the market.
Different positions can be differently suited for different firms; the essence of strategic positioning is opting for one above others and making the necessary trade-offs.
Positioning largely fails to acknowledge internal capabilities and changes in market dynamics, instead assuming that positions can be permanent.
Personal updates before we go-go
So Child 1 is now out of kindergarten. For nine weeks.
Do not get me wrong; I obviously adore her and love spending time in her company. But nine weeks is a long time, man.
Oh, and she brought with her a parting gift: another cold. Which naturally means that Child 2 now also has the sniffles.
Ergo, this newsletter comes slightly later in the day than usual. I can only apologize.
Speaking of Child 2, she has begun to walk. Or try to walk, anyway. It is the best thing ever; she simply beams with pride whenever she manages to take more than one step at a time.
With the first book f-i-n-a-l-l-y nearing completion, I have begun drawing up the map for what will become my second book. Dare I say it already is looking great on paper?
The Nudgestock talk that I gave is on its way for premium subscribers. Stay tuned.
Although it is flattering that my work has been, and is being, used for prestigious university courses, MBA programs, and books, it would be nice if I was also given credit. Over the last few years, a lot of people have emailed to inform me that they are relying on my writings and keynotes. Two (2) have referenced me as the originator.
On the plus side, a fair few of you have also emailed me to say how much easier your professional or academic work has become because of this newsletter. That I can help, in some small way, a person get top grades and secure the job of their dreams is obviously immensely humbling and rewarding.
Interesting news from the F1 paddock this week. So much room for speculation in the wake of Christian Horner’s firing. So many questions that want asking.
Moving on to markets.