14 thinkers, books, and ideas connected to this field.
Hamilton Helmer's 2016 book presenting a rigorous economic taxonomy of the seven sources of durable business advantage, used by Acquired as the analytical backbone for every company they profile.
Strategy Capital partner and collaborator with Hamilton Helmer, known for applying the 7 Powers framework to technology company analysis.
Christensen's theory that established companies are often undermined not by better technologies but by simpler, cheaper innovations that initially serve low-end or non-consuming markets, then improve to displace incumbents.
Third-generation Hermès leader who navigated the transition from equestrian goods to leather accessories and luggage as the automobile ended the horse era, and expanded into the United States in the 1920s.
Greg McKeown's 2014 book arguing that the disciplined pursuit of less — doing fewer things but doing them better — is both more productive and more fulfilling than the typical modern attempt to do everything.
American management theorist who co-developed the core competency framework with C.K. Prahalad and has advocated for fundamental reinvention of management practices.
American strategist and author of 7 Powers, which provides a rigorous economic framework for identifying the sources of durable business advantage.
Patrick O'Shaughnessy's interview podcast featuring investors, entrepreneurs, and thinkers exploring capital allocation, business building, and decision-making.
American business strategist — Harvard Business School — creator of Porter's Five Forces and the Competitive Advantage framework — the most influential business strategy theorist of the last 50 years.
Scott Galloway's media brand — centered on The Prof G Pod and No Mercy/No Malice newsletter — applying brand strategy and economic analysis to tech companies and culture.
Russian-American entrepreneur who built United Fruit Company from scratch by outsmarting the established banana monopoly, overthrew a Central American government to protect his business interests, and eventually took over United Fruit itself after his company was absorbed.
American singer-songwriter and the best-selling musician of her generation, who used the dispute over her master recordings to launch a re-recording project that became a landmark in artist rights and music economics.
Jean-Noël Kapferer and Vincent Bastien's foundational luxury management textbook arguing that luxury brands must operate under an inverted economic logic — raising prices to increase demand, never discounting, and prioritizing dream over function.
Dave Mock's 2005 account of Qualcomm's bet on CDMA technology and the development of the company's extraordinary patent licensing and chip business model.