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Porter's generic strategies

Compete on lowest cost, on being different, or by focusing on a niche.

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What does Porter's generic strategies mean?

Michael Porter described three generic strategies (1980): cost leadership (be the lowest-cost producer), differentiation (offer something customers will pay more for), and focus (apply either one to a narrow segment). He warned that a firm trying to do all of them at once risks being "stuck in the middle".

Where does it come up in case interview prep?