Siege War

You're seeing Siege War when a dominant platform gradually locks up exclusive partnerships, distribution channels, and key talent, leaving competitors increasingly isolated from the resources they need to compete.

You're seeing Siege War when a company systematically recruits from a competitor — not just poaching one person but draining the talent pool until the competitor can't execute.

Before trying to out-build or out-market a competitor, ask whether you can cut off their access to something they depend on — a distribution channel, a key integration, a talent pool. Sieges are slower but often more effective than direct competition.

Carnegie practiced siege warfare against competitors by controlling every input to steel production. He vertically integrated into iron ore mines, coke production, railroads, and shipping — systematically locking up the supply chain so competitors couldn't access raw materials at competitive prices. Rather than competing on the finished product alone, Carnegie besieged rivals by denying them the resources needed to produce. Competitors faced a choice: buy inputs from Carnegie at his prices or exit the market. Founders can apply Carnegie's approach by identifying and securing critical supply-chain positions that competitors depend on. Control the inputs, and you control the competitive landscape.