outpositioned

A smaller, clearer agency beats a bigger, better one when the buyer can instantly tell who it's for.

Chart: outpositioned. A smaller, clearer agency beats a bigger, better one when the buyer can instantly tell who it's for.
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The mechanism

The chart compares two cards. The "better" $3M agency has more people and a bigger portfolio, but its homepage lists eight services and reads like every other agency, so the buyer can't tell who it's for - and it loses the deal. The smaller $800K agency focuses on one industry and one problem, feels like the obvious choice, and wins. Being better on paper loses to being clear about exactly who you serve.

Part of Positioning. Who you are for and why you are the obvious choice.