Lesson Plan

• Describe the different types of competitors and their key characteristics.
• Explain how competitor actions influence pricing, product development, marketing and other business decisions.
• Apply Porter’s Five Forces and a competitor analysis matrix to evaluate a market situation.
• Evaluate which of Porter’s generic strategies (cost leadership, differentiation, focus) best responds to a given competitive threat.

• Projector and screen
• PowerPoint slides on competitor types and Porter’s Five Forces
• Printed competitor analysis matrix worksheets
• Case‑study handouts (e.g., Coca‑Cola vs Pepsi)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes for group activity

Begin with a quick poll: “What product do you think you could buy from more than one brand?” Use the responses to highlight everyday competition. Review students’ prior knowledge of “direct vs indirect competitors.” State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to analyse rivals and decide on appropriate strategic responses.

1. Do‑now (5’) – short quiz on competitor definitions posted on the board.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – explain types of competition and introduce Porter’s Five Forces.
3. Guided analysis (15’) – in pairs, complete a competitor analysis matrix using the case handout.
4. Group discussion (10’) – each pair shares key findings; teacher links them to pricing, product development, marketing, location and capacity decisions.
5. Strategy selection activity (10’) – groups choose a generic strategy (cost leadership, differentiation, focus) for a scenario and justify their choice.
6. Check for understanding (5’) – exit‑ticket question: “Name one way a new competitor can force a change in a firm’s pricing strategy.”

Summarise how different competitor types shape business decisions and how systematic tools help managers respond strategically. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, then assign homework: students must research a real‑world competitor and complete a brief competitor analysis matrix for the next class.