Episode #166: How Companies Like Facebook, VMware and 5-hour Energy Dominate Markets

With Play Bigger co-author Christopher Lochhead

When multiple people in my life, otherwise unrelated to one another, are recommending I read a particular book, I pay attention. I’m pretty smart that way.

So, when I was unable to get away from one recent recommendation, I finally decided to give it a go. And I’m glad I did.  

christopher lochhead

The book I’m talking about is called Play Bigger: How Pirates, Dreamers, and Innovators Create and Dominate Markets by my guest Christopher Lochhead, along with Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson and Kevin Maney.

They ask what do Facebook, Google, Salesforce.com, Uber, VMware, Netflix and a few others, have in common? Why do some start-ups last and build value while others flame out?

They key, Christopher and his co-authors argue, has to do with creating, developing, and dominating new categories of products and services.

In today’s episode, Christopher and I talk about how it’s done. Click “play” below for more.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Christopher and I discuss:

  • What it means to sell “different” versus sell “better”
  • The importance of understanding Category Design and the steps to take to identify it for your company
  • How not to let the grind of the day-to-day lull you into taking the easier route
  • …and much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By Cloud Accounting Software FreshBooks

FreshBooks is currently offering a month of unrestricted use to to all RtLP listeners – totally free right now. And, you don’t need a credit card for the trial.

To claim your free month, click here and be sure and enter ReadToLead in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” section.

If your business uses Freshbooks, and you’d like to share your experience with the Read to Lead audience, click the contact tab at the top of this page and let us know. Be sure and include “FreshBooks” in the subject line.


Books Christopher Recommends

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael Gerber

Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy

The works of Jack Trout

Christopher’s Resources

The best place to find out more about Christopher is at his website.

Grab a copy of Christopher’s book courtesy Amazon.

Be sure to heck out Christopher’s podcast. It’s called Legends & Losers.

Connect with Christopher on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Click to Tweet

To share about the Read to Lead Podcast on Twitter quickly and easily, just click the box below. Your tweet will automatically be populated with this copy:

Leave Us Your Feedback

Comment and Share

Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. I am also mentioning the names of all who rate the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes.

We encourage you to join the Read to Lead Nation on Facebook.  It’s a community of like-minded leaders and leader-to-be, as well as fans of the Read to Lead Podcast.

You can tell your friends on Twitter about your love of reading and our new podcast by simply clicking this link and sharing the tweet you’ll find at the other end.

And, by all means, if you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page.

Finally, thanks for listening and remember, “Leaders read and readers lead.”

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

2 thoughts on “Episode #166: How Companies Like Facebook, VMware and 5-hour Energy Dominate Markets

Comments are closed.