McDonald’s become the largest
national fast – food chain in eighties. They had found their perfect recipe for
success. And they were all out to defend their turf come the hell. McDonald
strength was the hamburger, its uniformity instant delivery and inexpensiveness.
The advertising said about the
top of the live, the Big Mac: “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce
cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun.”
What should be the best
strategy to attack a leader, who is all out to defend his ground?
Simple, change the battle
ground and rules itself. Study the leader and take 180° about turn and walk and
choose your own ground to launch an attack.
That’s what burger king did to
Mac. They study Mac strength and choose the stark opposite approach.
“Have it your way”.
Burger king advertisement
exclaimed at Mac and attracted customer who prefer to choose their own way to
eat their hamburger from their very own plate. “Have it your way” was a clear
differentiator between the two chains. Also the effect was, Mac was squeezed.
They can’t afford to tamper their hard earned, finely turned system in order to
match the Burger king. At least not so early.
That
when guerrilla wins the battle- when competition is not prepare and unable to
turn around and defend itself.