Strategy

7 Powers by Hamilton Helmer: A FREE Strategic Framework Template

7 Powers Hamilton Helmer: A FREE Strategic Framework Template. 7 Powers by Hamilton Helmer: Scale economics, Network Economics, Counter Positioning, Switching Costs, Branding, Cornered Resource, and Process Power.

7 Powers by Hamilton Helmer - Free and fully editable template

Do you want to become an unstoppable business strategist? Then you must be familiar with Hamilton Helmer's 7 Powers Strategic Framework. In this strategic framework, Helmer describes seven strategies for generating differential and persistent returns.

Introduction

When it comes to strategic positioning, most people think of standard competitive analysis tools like Porter's Five Forces, McKinsey's 3 Horizons Framework, and so on. However, there are other ways to look at this that can be just as powerful.

When building a business, every strategy, tactic, and operation must be optimized for performance and profitability. No matter how large or small your company, you’ll need to make wise decisions about how best to operate to gain a competitive edge and stay ahead of the market.

This article will provide insights on Helmer's 7 Powers that can help you build a stronger company. Read on to discover more about the 7 powers in business by Helmer.

When does market power matter?

By understanding how to use market power strategically, you can set up conditions that give you a lasting advantage over your competition.

Market power is the ability of a company to influence the behavior of another party by imposing costs or creating incentives for cooperation. Market power helps you understand how companies can take control of a market and use that control to their advantage, even if they don’t have a cost or quality advantage.

It can provide a durable competitive advantage. Market power confers a durable advantage because it creates a continuous flow of benefits from one party to another. Because it involves a continuous stream of benefits, a market power advantage can be sustained over long periods. In contrast, the other sources of competitive advantage are more likely to be disrupted or challenged by competitors.

Who are the seven powers by Hamilton Helmer?

The 7 powers by Hamilton Helmer: Scale Economics, Network Economics, Counter Positioning, Switching Costs, Branding, Cornered Resource, and Process Power.

Power, defined as the ability to realize long-term differential returns, is the key to economic growth and value creation.

Helmer's 7 Powers

An excellent start to understanding the drivers of competitive advantage is "7Powers" by Hamilton Helmer. Helmer lays out seven powers that a company can develop to outperform and deliver consistent returns.

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Key two questions you need to ask yourself: 1. What "Powers" do I have now? 2. What "Powers" do I need to establish to remain competitive?

Helmer's 7 Powers: Scale Economics, Network Economics, and Counter Positioning

1. Scale Economies

The per-unit cost decreases as production volume increases.

2. Network Economies

The value of the service is enhanced as new customers join the network/service.

3. Counter Positioning

A new or superior business model.

Helmer's 7 Powers: Switching Costs, Branding, and Cornered Resource

4. Switching Costs

It is expensive for customers to switch to an alternate product/service.

5. Branding

Value of the brand (if it allows pricing power).

6. Cornered Resource

Better access to resources (talents, suppliers, etc)

7. Process Power

Better internal processes that enable lower costs and/or a superior solution.

How to get to power? The Path To Power is Innovation

Helmer's 7 Powers - The Path to Power is Innovation

Every power type's primary cause is innovation. You must invent something new that generates significant economic value.

Innovation can be a product, solution, method, business strategy, or brand. It helps you grab a bigger portion of the market. How much is eventually determined by Helmer's 7 Powers.

The Power Progression

**Helmer's Power Progression**: Origination, Takeoff, and Stability

During the Origination period, you can seize two important powers: Cornered Resource, and Counter Positioning.

During the Takeoff period, you can seize three important economic benefits: Network economies, Scale economies, and Switching Costs. If you do not seize these opportunities, they will be forever gone afterward.

During the Origination period, you can seize two final powers: Branding, and Process Power.

Product Market Fit vs Power

Despite Helmer's 7 Powers (scaling, branding, switching costs, etc.), if you haven't achieved Product Market Fit (PMF), don't worry about them.

Product Market Fit is a distinct problem from power. Still, imagining what sort of power the company would have once it achieved Product Market Fit is a helpful exercise. It ensures you're creating something worthwhile.

Operational Power is not a source of power

Power is not derived from operational excellence. Competitors may replicate operational excellence, thus it is not a significant barrier.

Hamilton Helmer 7 Powers Summary

By understanding how to use Helmer's 7 powers strategically, you can set up conditions that give you a lasting advantage over your competition.

The 7 Powers by Hamilton Helmer are Scale Economics, Network Economics, Counter Positioning, Switching Costs, Branding, Cornered Resource, and Process Power.

Market power is the ability of a company to influence the behavior of another party by imposing costs or creating incentives for cooperation. Market power helps you understand how companies can take control of a market and use that control to their advantage. Hence, the sources of market power are important to understand. Set of conditions that create persistent differential returns.