π Industry Structure Analysis β Porter's Five Forces!
π Industry Structure Analysis β Porter's Five Forces!
π What is Industry Structure Analysis?
Before investing in any company or starting a business β you must understand the industry it operates in.
π Is the industry profitable?
π Is the competition tough?
π Can new players easily enter?
To answer these questions, a very famous model is used:
π― Porterβs Five Forces β the most powerful tool for industry analysis!
Letβs break this down easily. π
π What are Porterβs Five Forces?
Prof. Michael Porter designed this model to check the strength & weakness of any industry.
He said β 5 forces decide how profitable and competitive an industry is.
These are:
1οΈβ£ Competition among existing players
2οΈβ£ Threat of new entrants
3οΈβ£ Bargaining power of suppliers
4οΈβ£ Bargaining power of buyers (customers)
5οΈβ£ Threat of substitute products
π₯ Letβs understand each force with simple examples:
1οΈβ£ Competition Among Existing Players (Rivalry) π₯
π Are there many companies fighting for customers?
π Are they cutting prices to win buyers?
βοΈ Example: The mobile phone market π± β full of brands competing.
β
High rivalry = Tough to earn high profits.
β
Low rivalry = Easy profits (less pressure).
2οΈβ£ Threat of New Entrants πͺ
π Can new companies easily enter this industry?
π Or is it difficult (because of license, technology, big investments)?
βοΈ Example: Opening a tea stall β is easy β anyone can start!
But starting an airline company βοΈ? Very tough!
β
Easy entry = More competition = Less profit.
β
Hard entry = Less competition = More profit.
3οΈβ£ Bargaining Power of Suppliers π
π Can the suppliers (raw material providers) control the prices?
βοΈ Example: If only one company sells diamonds π β they can demand any price!
But if 50 suppliers sell sugar π§ β you can choose the cheapest.
β
Strong suppliers = Less profit for the company.
β
Weak suppliers = Company enjoys more profit.
4οΈβ£ Bargaining Power of Buyers (Customers) π§ββοΈπ§ββοΈ
π Can customers demand lower prices or better products?
βοΈ Example: If you are the only doctor π¨ββοΈ in a village β people can't bargain.
But if 10 clinics are there β patients will choose the cheapest!
β
Strong buyers = Company earns less.
β
Weak buyers = Company earns more.
5οΈβ£ Threat of Substitutes π
π Are there other products that can replace yours?
βοΈ Example: Tea β vs Coffee β β close substitutes!
βοΈ Example: Email vs Courier service βοΈ β new tech replacing old.
β
More substitutes = Less profit (customers can switch easily).
β
Fewer substitutes = More profit (no other option).
π― Why is Porter's Five Forces Important?
β
Helps to understand the risk & profit potential in any industry.
β
Shows how safe or dangerous the business environment is.
β
Guides investors in selecting good sectors to invest.
β
Helps businesses to make better strategies.
π‘ Quick Summary in Simple Words:
πΈ Competition β Who are the current fighters?
πΈ New Entrants β Can new fighters easily join?
πΈ Suppliers β Can suppliers control you?
πΈ Buyers β Can customers control you?
πΈ Substitutes β Can customers switch to something else?
π If all 5 forces are weak β the industry is safe and profitable! π
π If all 5 forces are strong β the industry is risky and low-profit! β οΈ
π Final Thoughts:
Before investing or starting any business β always do Porterβs Five Forces Analysis. Itβs simple yet powerful β and can save you from big mistakes! βοΈ
Remember: Strong companies survive strong forces β weak ones fail! π₯
β
Keep learning. Keep growing. Stay Smart! π‘