A Smart Bear · Jason Cohen
articleprincipleLimiting Options
21 April 2008Profit
Source excerpt
About A Smart BearThe winning strategy in Othello is to minimize your opponent's options, rather than maximizing your own. The same principle applies to competitive strategy.
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Apollo layer
What a founder can learn
Founder takeaway
Design competitive moves that narrow rivals’ viable responses instead of merely expanding your own options. A focused position—built around a specific customer, advantage, or distribution channel—can force competitors into choices that are costly, slow, or inconsistent with their model.
Why it matters
Founders have limited resources. Creating more possibilities can dilute them, while constraining competitors can turn a focused investment into durable leverage.
Relevant guides
Put it to work
For your next strategic decision, ask: “If we succeed, which options become less attractive or feasible for competitors—and what move would most increase that constraint?”