Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant

Why We Recommend It

This book popularized the concept of *creating new markets* rather than competing in saturated ones — a strategic shift many firms aim for. It's also on the HBR “Top 40 Essential Business Books” list.

Key Ideas

• Value innovation — creating leaps in value for both company and customers

• Six paths framework to reconstruct market boundaries

• Eliminate-reduce-raise-create (ERRC) grid

• Avoid the red ocean (cutthroat competition)

• Strategic pricing (buyer utility map)

Who Should Read This

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