Welcome to Strategy Thinking

If you’ve ever wondered why some businesses thrive while others struggle—even in the same market—you’re not alone. The difference often lies not in luck or luck alone, but in how deeply they understand their environment. This section is your first step into the world of strategic thinking, where we’ll guide you through the essentials of what makes a business competitive.

Designed for students, new professionals, and curious minds, this introduction to Porter’s Five Forces provides a calm, structured path into competitive analysis. You’ll begin not with jargon, but with real-world examples—like how a grocery store competes with a delivery app, or how a local café faces unseen threats from national chains.

By the end of this section, you won’t just know what strategy analysis is—you’ll be able to apply it. This is more than a theory; it’s a way of seeing the business world clearly and making better decisions, one force at a time.

What This Section Covers

This section lays the groundwork for your journey into practical strategy. Each chapter builds on the last, helping you develop a natural, analytical mindset.

• Before You Begin: What This Workbook Will Teach You — Learn how the workbook is structured for maximum impact, including how to use templates and reflect on exercises to deepen your understanding.
• Why Businesses Need Strategy Basics — Discover how strategy isn’t reserved for executives—it’s a skill anyone can learn. Through everyday examples, you’ll see how planning helps businesses adapt and grow.
• Getting to Know the Five Forces Framework — See how Porter’s model breaks down competition into five powerful categories. We’ll use familiar products and industries to make the framework intuitive and actionable.
• Quick History: Where Porter’s Five Forces Came From — Gain context on the model’s origins and why it remains one of the most respected tools in business strategy today.
• How to Think Like a Beginner Strategist — Learn to observe like a strategist: notice suppliers, customers, and rivals in everything from coffee shops to online platforms. This mindset shift turns curiosity into insight.

By the End You Should Be Able to…

• Explain what is strategy analysis in your own words.
• Describe the five forces and how they interact in any market.
• Apply the framework to real businesses or industries using simple examples.
• Recognize competitive dynamics in everyday shopping or service experiences.
• Use a structured approach to assess an industry’s attractiveness before making decisions.
• Approach business problems with a beginner’s curiosity and a strategist’s clarity.

Whether you’re studying for exams, launching a project, or simply trying to understand the world of business better, this section is designed to make strategy thinking feel accessible. No prior knowledge required—just a willingness to look deeper.

Think of this not as a hurdle, but as your first lens into a powerful way of seeing. As you move through the chapters, take your time. Reflection and small observations build big insights. Tools like paper and pencil are all you need—no special software, just focus and curiosity.

Now, let’s begin.