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”
Tesla earns revenue through car sales, but its real profits come from other sources. Although Hyundai-Kia Motors sells more cars annually than Tesla, it does not have the same profit structure, which is unique to Tesla. Tesla capitalizes on environmental assets by selling carbon credits each year. While the company experiences overall losses in car sales, the sale of these carbon credits results in surplus income, positively affecting its stock price. Traditional automakers contribute to Tesla’s profitability by purchasing cars and paying fines for carbon emissions. This dynamic is also a key reason why Tesla establishes operations in regions with strict pollution regulations. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”