Competition, differentiation & moats · Core
Positioning
Also called: market positioning
ELI5
How customers should understand the offer compared with choices.
Used in conversation
“Positioning requires a frame of reference and meaningful difference.”
Definition
The intended place an offer occupies in the customer's mind relative to alternatives.
Here “Positioning” means: The intended place an offer occupies in the customer's mind relative to alternatives.
Pitch context
You will see “Positioning” in strategy decks, market analyses, business plans and planning workshops when the discussion reaches competition, differentiation & moats.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret competition, differentiation & moats without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Connected terms
- Value propositionA value proposition explains the value promised to a customer; positioning defines the place the offer should occupy relative to alternatives.
- Brand positioningThe search label “positioning” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 11
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Write your business planDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- American Marketing Association — Definitions of Marketing and BrandDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- Strategyzer — Business Model Canvas resourcesSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- Strategyzer — Value Proposition Canvas resourcesSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- LEANSTACK — Lean CanvasSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division — Herfindahl-Hirschman IndexSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Census Bureau — Business and economy dataSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission — Advertising and Marketing GuidanceSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Google Analytics Help — Google Analytics dimensions and metricsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Google Ads Help — Google Ads metrics and reportingSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Interactive Advertising Bureau — Measurement guidelines and standardsSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16