STRATEGYMonths to result

Serve the Tornado

Proactively serve the tornado

Problem it solves

unclear strategic direction

Best for

Companies in high-growth markets

Not ideal for

Companies with limited resources

Overview

Why this framework exists

The Serve the Tornado framework emphasizes the importance of proactively serving the tornado market forces. This involves creating a clone market, institutionalizing and commoditizing the market leader's architecture, and driving prices and margins lower. By doing so, companies can create massive wealth for themselves and others in the industry.

Core principles

3 total
  1. Proactively serve the tornado market forces
  2. Create a clone market to institutionalize and commoditize the market leader's architecture
  3. Drive prices and margins lower to create massive wealth for the company and others in the industry

Steps

2 steps
  1. Create a Clone Market
    Create a clone market to institutionalize and commoditize the market leader's architecture. This involves creating a market where other companies can create compatible products, driving prices and margins lower.
    Pro tipFocus on creating a market where other companies can create compatible products, rather than trying to control the market.
    WarningBe careful not to create a market that is too fragmented, as this can lead to confusion and decreased demand.
  2. Drive Prices and Margins Lower
    Drive prices and margins lower to create massive wealth for the company and others in the industry. This involves reducing costs and increasing efficiency to create a competitive advantage.
    Pro tipFocus on reducing costs and increasing efficiency to create a competitive advantage.
    WarningBe careful not to drive prices and margins too low, as this can lead to decreased profitability.

Checklist

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Examples

1 cases
IBM PC Strategy

IBM's PC strategy is an example of serving the tornado. By creating a clone market and driving prices and margins lower, IBM was able to create massive wealth for itself and others in the industry.

OutcomeIBM's PC strategy was highly successful, resulting in the creation of a large and competitive market.

Common mistakes

2 traps
Trying to Control the Tornado
Trying to control the tornado market forces can lead to failure, as it is impossible to control the market. Instead, companies should focus on serving the tornado by creating a clone market and driving prices and margins lower.
Not Creating a Clone Market
Not creating a clone market can lead to a lack of competition and innovation, resulting in decreased demand and profitability.

Origin story

How this framework came to be

The concept of serving the tornado was first introduced by Geoffrey A. Moore in his book 'Inside the Tornado'. Moore argues that companies should not try to control the tornado, but rather serve it by creating a clone market and driving prices and margins lower.

Source

Traced to primary
Source · BOOK
Inside the Tornado: Marketing Strategies From Silicon Valley's Cutting Edge
Geoffrey A. Moore · 1995
Open source →

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