An important aspect of understanding your business ecosystem is knowing your position within it (positioning), whether you hold a higher or lower (subordinate) role, and whether your offerings are substitutes or complements. Netflix started as a DVD rental service. With the rise of online streaming, Netflix saw it as a replacement for DVD rentals. Kimbap and Ramen are complementary goods, but Ramen and Udon are substitutes. This is why, even when setting up a snack bar, paying attention to the menu is crucial. Complementary goods increase sales, while substitutes are more likely to lead to no change or even a decline in sales. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Abraham, in the Bible, remained silent when God revealed that he should offer his only son, Isaac. However, when he rescued his nephew Lot from the doomed city of Sodom, he bargained with God. What is a “bargain?” In life, it is crucial to know with whom to bargain and when. If we bargain over what we shouldn’t or don’t do what we should do bargain, then our lives can become quite weird. Every day, we seek something to bargain for, repeatedly hoping for favorable outcomes or facing disappointments. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”