Hat & Tat | S1E7 | 7 Powers and Hamilton Helmer

Craig and Steve break down Hamilton Helmer’s cult-classic book, 7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy, in the first of a three-part series. Zooming in on the "origination phase" of a startup, they unpack two of the seven powers: counterpositioning and cornered resources with real-world examples—ranging from Jack Bogle turning the wealth management industry upside down to microscopic tin drops getting vaporized by ultra-powerful lasers.TakeawaysCounterposition against incumbents: Adopt a superior business model that established competitors literally cannot copy without torching their own primary revenue streams.Exploit institutional blind spots: Target overlooked market segments with streamlined processes that legacy players consider too small or low-margin to bother defending.Look for the pickaxes: Build sustainable advantages around the obscure, indispensable supply-chain bottlenecks that every flashy industry titan relies on to function.ResourcesListen to Hamilton Helmer on Invest Like the BestListen to Hamilton Helmer on AcquiredRead Hamilton Helmer's 7 Powers