Mastering Competitive Analysis: What 3 Great Articles Teach Us About Strategy
As someone who coaches early-stage founders and business leaders, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“How do I actually do competitive analysis — and make it useful?”
The answer lies not in one perfect template, but in understanding the different angles from which competitive analysis can be approached. To help guide you, I’ve reviewed three excellent articles, each with a unique perspective and strength. Consider this your comparative guide to mastering competitive strategy like a pro.
📝 Article 1: How to Create a Competitive Analysis (With Examples) – Asana
✅ Best For: Beginners and operational teams building their first analysis.
Asana’s guide reads like a helpful workshop. It walks you through the basics: how to identify competitors, choose comparison criteria, and build a clean, visual table to map it all out. It’s full of practical steps, examples, and templates — making it an excellent starting point if you’re early in your journey or want to train your team.
What I’d tell students:
If you’ve never done a competitive analysis before, start here. It gives you structure without overwhelming you.
Strengths:
- Clear step-by-step breakdown
- Practical templates and visuals
- Focus on product features, strengths, and positioning
Limitations:
- Less depth on strategic differentiation or market dynamics
- Doesn’t explore real-world case studies or nuanced strategies
📊 Article 2: 30 Case Studies Exploring Competitive Analysis & Strategy – Mark Bridges on Medium
✅ Best For: Intermediate to advanced readers who learn by example.
Mark Bridges’ article is a curated list of 30 case studies — a treasure trove if you want to see how competitive strategy plays out in the real world. From tech to consumer goods to media, each case breaks down how companies analyzed their competition and turned insights into action.
What I’d tell students:
If you’re trying to learn not just the “how” but the “why” behind successful strategic moves, this is your reading list.
Strengths:
- Diverse industries and real examples
- Great for inspiration and benchmarking
- Shows the link between analysis and action
Limitations:
- Less how-to structure
- Requires more time to digest and apply
🔍 Article 3: Advanced Strategies for Effective Competitive Analysis – Simon-Kucher
✅ Best For: Strategic thinkers, consultants, and product leaders looking for high-level insight.
This article approaches competitive analysis through a strategic and commercial lens. It emphasizes pricing strategy, market positioning, and risk management. Simon-Kucher draws from years of consulting work, offering sharp insights for founders ready to go beyond feature comparison and into long-term differentiation.
What I’d tell students:
This is the kind of strategic depth you’ll need when pitching to VCs or entering a crowded market. It’s not light reading — but it’s powerful.
Strengths:
- Emphasizes pricing and value perception
- Deep understanding of market dynamics
- Balanced view of competitive risks
Limitations:
- Less tactical and beginner-friendly
- Best suited for later-stage planning or enterprise contexts
🧠 Teaching Summary: Which Should You Read?
| Goal | Best Article |
|---|---|
| Learn the basics and build your first matrix | Asana |
| Get inspired by how real companies do it | Mark Bridges |
| Think strategically about differentiation and pricing | Simon-Kucher |
Final Thought: The Best Analysis Is the One You Use
As a teacher, my advice is this: don’t just study — apply. Pick one competitor today and use Asana’s structure to create a comparison. Then look at similar companies in Mark Bridges’ case studies. Finally, ask the bigger question Simon-Kucher poses: How are we different — and how will we win?
Start small. Think deep. And keep evolving your strategy.