Profit from the Core & The Founder's Mentality
proposedAlso known as: Adjacency Expansion · Repeatability · Definable Core
Most sustained growth comes from a strong, well-defined core and disciplined moves into related adjacencies.
Bain research showing that companies win by first fully exploiting a clearly defined core, then expanding into repeatable adjacencies — and that scale tends to erode the insurgent 'founder's mentality' (front-line obsession, owner mindset) that fueled the core.
Core concepts
Definable CoreAdjacency ExpansionRepeatable ModelsFounder's Mentality
Best when
- Tempted to diversify before the core is fully exploited
- Scale is dulling your speed and ownership culture
Watch-outs
- Defining 'the core' is itself contestable