Practice Reflection: What Did You Learn About Competition?
Walking into a local café, you notice two chains—each offering similar coffee, pastries, and seating. One charges slightly more but has a loyal following. The other offers discounts and quick service. At first glance, it seems like a simple battle of prices and branding. But behind the scenes, deeper forces are at play.
What’s really shaping this competition? Is it the number of rivals? The ease with which new cafés can open? The availability of alternative drinks like tea or plant-based milks? These are the questions that separate surface-level observation from strategic insight.
After completing the earlier exercises, you’ve already started seeing competition not just as “rivalry,” but as a structured system of interrelated pressures. This chapter turns your attention inward: what did you actually learn? How do these forces reveal themselves in real life? And why does it matter for your growing strategy mindset?
This reflection isn’t about answers—it’s about curiosity, clarity, and connecting tools to lived experience. You’ll walk away with a personalized learning reflection template, and a deeper understanding of how to think like someone who sees competition not as chaos, but as a system worth decoding.
What Did You Actually Observe?
Begin by stepping back. Don’t assume you understand. Ask: What did you see that surprised you?
When analyzing the café, you likely noticed that even though the two shops are similar, their business models differ. One relies on brand loyalty and premium pricing. The other focuses on speed and low cost. That’s not just marketing—it’s evidence of different positions on the competitive landscape.
Consider this: Was buyer power high? Yes—customers had multiple choices and could easily switch. Was supplier power strong? In a small city, maybe not—local roasters often supply multiple cafes. But in a larger market with a dominant roaster, that power shifts.
Reflective Questions to Guide Your Thinking
- Did any force surprise you by being stronger than expected?
- How did your personal experience (like choosing a café) align with the Five Forces?
- What part of the analysis felt most intuitive? What felt most challenging?
- Could you explain one force to someone with no business background? How would you simplify it?
These questions are not for grading. They’re tools to deepen your understanding—not by memorizing, but by reassembling insights into your own framework.
Building a Learning Reflection Template
Every great strategist builds habits, not just knowledge. A learning reflection template helps you turn experience into insight.
Use this simple structure to reflect after any analysis:
- What did I analyze? (e.g., Local coffee shop)
- What surprised me? (e.g., High buyer power despite brand loyalty)
- Which force was strongest? Why? (e.g., Competitive rivalry—too many small chains)
- How does this connect to real life? (e.g., I’ve switched cafés based on delivery speed)
- What would a beginner do differently? (e.g., Start by listing competitors, not assumptions)
This template isn’t just for school. It trains your mind to notice patterns, not just outcomes. That’s how you begin to think with a strategy mindset for beginners.
Why Reflection Matters in Strategic Learning
Without reflection, learning remains isolated. With it, each experience becomes part of a growing mental model.
For example, after analyzing both a café and a yoga studio, you may notice a shift: in the café, new entrants are likely. In the studio, barriers like certifications and space are high. That contrast reveals how different industries shape competition in unique ways.
Reflection turns isolated exercises into cumulative understanding. It’s not about getting it right—it’s about seeing how your thinking changes.
Connecting to Everyday Observations
Competition isn’t just in boardrooms. It’s in the apps you use, the products you buy, even the way you choose a gym.
When you pick a streaming service, you’re weighing substitutes: Netflix vs. Disney+, Hulu, or even YouTube. Buyer power is high—you can cancel anytime. But the threat of new entrants is low—because brand loyalty and content libraries are hard to replicate.
Now consider your local grocery store. The price of milk may vary slightly, but the supermarket chain controls the supply. Supplier power is strong. That’s why private labels often undercut branded ones.
These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re examples you’ve already lived. The power of reflection is realizing that theory isn’t abstract—it’s right in front of you.
Examples of Everyday Competition
| Setting | Strongest Force | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone market (Apple vs. Android) | Threat of substitutes | Users can switch platforms, especially with cloud integration |
| Public transit vs. ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft) | Substitutes | Alternative modes of transport are easily accessible |
| Online course platforms (Coursera, Udemy) | Competitive rivalry | High number of similar offerings with overlapping content |
Use this table to organize your own reflections. After each observation, ask: Which force is strongest? Why? How does this affect pricing, choice, or business decisions?
Developing a Strategy Mindset for Beginners
Thinking strategically isn’t about being clever. It’s about being systematic.
A beginner’s mindset doesn’t mean you lack skill—it means you’re open to growth, curious about how things work, and willing to question assumptions. This mindset is built through consistent reflection.
Every time you use the learning reflection template, you’re not just reviewing—you’re training your brain to see competition as a system, not a story.
Key Habits of a Strategic Beginner
- Start with observation, not conclusion. Ask: What do I actually see?
- Look for patterns across contexts. How is this like the café? How is it different?
- Label forces, don’t guess. Use the Five Forces as a checklist, not a guess.
- Write it down. Reflection becomes real when it’s externalized.
- Revisit old insights. Your understanding evolves over time.
These aren’t rules—they’re habits. The more you practice, the more natural strategic thinking becomes.
Final Reflection: What Have You Learned?
After working through the exercises and reflecting on real-world examples, you’ve likely noticed three key shifts:
- You now see competition not as “rivalry,” but as five distinct pressures shaping every market.
- You can identify when a threat is real and when it’s overstated—based on evidence, not opinion.
- You no longer assume that more competition means worse profits. Sometimes, it means more innovation and choice.
These aren’t minor insights. They mark the beginning of strategic thinking.
Your learning reflection template is not a one-time task. It’s a practice. Use it after every analysis, large or small. Let it grow with you.
And remember: the goal isn’t to “get it right” every time. It’s to become someone who sees patterns, asks questions, and learns from experience—step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the learning reflection template in real life?
After analyzing a business, write down what surprised you, why, and how it connects to everyday choices. For example: “I didn’t expect buyer power to be so high in online shopping. I canceled my subscription to a streaming service because of a price hike.” This helps you see theory in action.
Can beginners really develop a strategy mindset?
Absolutely. A strategy mindset isn’t about expertise—it’s about curiosity, structure, and habit. By asking, “Which force is strongest?” and “Why?”, you train your brain to think like a strategist, even at a basic level.
Why is reflection more important than memorizing the Five Forces?
Memorization helps you recall, but reflection builds understanding. You can memorize all five forces, but only reflection helps you apply them in new, real-life situations. It turns knowledge into insight.
How often should I reflect on my analysis?
After every exercise, yes. But also periodically—once a week, or when you notice a new trend. Reflection is not a one-off. It’s part of a learning rhythm.
What if I still don’t see the forces in action?
Start small. Go to your local store. Count how many brands sell the same product. Ask: Why do some charge more? Is there a substitute? Use the checklist. You’ll begin to see what’s invisible at first glance.
How do I know if my reflection is “good”?
There’s no perfect answer. A good reflection shows honesty, curiosity, and connection to real life. If it helps you see competition differently, it’s working—no matter its length or style.
