Again, during the Lindisfarne vs Hereworth soccer match that I watched alongside other parents today I observed a number of goal scoring attempts which were easily thwarted by the goalie. Why ? Because the striker (goal kicker) had kicked the ball directly at the goalie. Whereas had the goal kicker instead directed their shot at goal to either side of the goalie (e.g. into either top corner of the goal), their goal attempt would have resulted in a far more successful outcome.
Lesson for business planning ? Don’t fire your shots so that they are easily spotted and combated/ thwarted by your competitors. Instead, fire your shots into the corners of the goal post – where clear unclaimed space (niche opportunity) exists !
The obvious strategies and tactics will always be seen and quickly interpreted by your competitors, and therefore your competitors will always have the opportunity to minimise/ diffuse or completely nullify your attempts to secure “high ground” (comparative advantage).
It is the least expected strategy deliveries (surprise attacks) that enjoy the most penetration (and greatest commercial effect) in the market.