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Red Ocean Traps highlights the dangers of competing in crowded markets from "summary" of Blue Ocean Strategy with Harvard Business Review Classic Article “Red Ocean Traps” (2 Books) by W. Chan Kim,Renée A. Mauborgne
Competing in crowded markets can be a dangerous trap for companies, as it often leads to intense competition, price wars, and shrinking profit margins. This situation is what we refer to as "Red Ocean Traps" - a term that captures the idea of businesses fighting over a limited pool of existing customers and market share. When a company finds itself in a red ocean trap, it must constantly defend its position against rivals, leaving little room for innovation or growth. As competitors imitate each other's strategies and offerings, differentiation becomes difficult, and customers are left with few reasons to choose one brand over another. In red oceans, companies are forced to compete on factors such as price, quality, and service, leading to a race to the bottom in terms of profitability. This not only harms individual businesses but can also have negative effects on the industry as a whole, as companies become more focused on outdoing each other than on creating value for customers. To escape the red ocean trap, companies must shift their focus from competing within existing market boundaries to creating new market space. By exploring uncharted waters and appealing to untapped customer segments, businesses can break free from the constraints of traditional competition and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.- The concept of red ocean traps serves as a warning to companies about the dangers of getting stuck in crowded markets. By understanding the risks associated with fierce competition and the limitations of red oceans, businesses can make more strategic decisions about how to position themselves for long-term success.
