Lesson 14: COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
- Jul 30, 2025
- 1 min read
Competitor analysis is conducted to determine the strengths and weaknesses of competitors. This enables organizations to either create barriers to prevent competitors from entering the market or exploit the rivals’ weaknesses to gain an edge. It is an essential tool in making strategic decisions.
The Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana describes how Ravana himself carried out a form of competitor analysis when he learned that Rama had crossed the ocean with his army. Ravana was curious about how the pathway across the ocean was constructed and realized that the army of monkeys was not to be underestimated.
To gain accurate intelligence, he instructed his ministers Suka and Sarana to enter Rama’s camp in disguise and collect information about the enemy’s capabilities. Ravana wanted to know:
Who was the chief of the monkey army?
How large and strong was the army?
Which monkeys were brave and important?
Which ministers of Rama and Sugriva had joined the force?
How was the bridge constructed across the deep ocean?
How was the army encamped, and through which route had they moved?
Ravana was meticulously assessing the determination and strength of his enemy to analyze their capabilities and plan how his own competitive advantage could be leveraged to win the war.
This episode illustrates that, just as in the modern business world, understanding the competitor is a crucial aspect of building effective strategies.
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