Blue Ocean and Red Ocean: The Ultimate Business Strategy Guide

A market strategy functions as the ultimate instrument in today’s business, where competition is intense and innovation leads to triumph. Essentially, if one were to draw a parallel, it is similar to a strategic compass that directs companies to their preferred target, captivates customers, and overpowers rivals. Hence, selecting the accurate strategic route isn’t merely crucial. Rather, it is what keeps businesses growing and lasting in this unpredictable market environment. ⁤⁤It is in this context two distinct approaches emerge: the innovative Blue Ocean strategy and the traditional Red Ocean approach. So, between between Blue Ocean and Red Ocean, ⁤which strategy should your business opt for? What are the specificities, advantages, and challenges of Blue Ocean and Red Ocean approaches? ⁤⁤Understanding these different methods is the initial move toward making a strategic decision that can determine your company’s future. ⁤

Understanding the Red Ocean Strategy

In the context of business and marketing, the terms Blue Ocean and Red Ocean strategy were conjured by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne in their groundbreaking 2005 book, “Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant”. Within this semantic context, the red ocean strategy represents the conventional battleground where companies clash head-on within already established market spaces. In essence, this strategy boils down to a relentless pursuit of outperforming one’s business rivals. Specifically, companies strive to capture a larger slice of the existing customer base, often at the expense of their competitors. As competition intensifies, the business space—understood metaphorically as the ocean—turns bloody. This is where the term “red ocean” comes from. Traditionally, competition in business is generally understood to adhere to the red ocean strategy. 

Some of  the key characteristics of the Red Ocean strategy are as follows:

• Cutthroat competition: Companies engage in a constant battle for market share, often resorting to aggressive tactics
• Incremental improvements: Companies focus on making small, gradual enhancements to existing products or services
• Pre-established boundaries: Interestingly, industries operate within established market spaces with clear rules and limitations
• Customer acquisition focus: Instead of creating new demands, the aim is to win over customers from competitors
• Price wars: Inevitably, pricing becomes the primary place of contention, thus leading to potential price erosion and reduced profitability
• Limited vision: Immediate gains are prioritized, and actions are oriented by competitive pressures posed by rival businesses
• Innovation stagnation: Most importantly, the emphasis on competition tends to hinder radical innovation and limit creative exploration

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Red Ocean Approach

The Red Ocean strategy comes with a number of advantages and disadvantages. Some of them are as follows: 

A. Advantages

• First and foremost, this approach provides a familiar and predictable environment for established players
• A well-defined customer base with known preferences and needs is another advantage
• Furthermore, competing in a known market can be perceived as less risky than venturing into the unknown

B. Disadvantages

• Constant pressure to outperform rivals can lead to resource depletion and lower profitability
• Notably, market saturation and limited demand can hinder significant growth opportunities
• The pressure to stay ahead can lead to a neglect of long-term sustainability because the focus is on immediate gains
• The emphasis on competition can stifle disruptive innovation and limit creative thinking

ALSO READ: How to Become a Strategy Manager: A Comprehensive Guide

Exploring the Blue Ocean Strategy

Contrary to the above-mentioned Red Ocean approach, which is characterized by bloody competition within a limited market space, is Blue Ocean. 

Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne define it aptly. According to them, this strategy is about challenging “companies to break out of the red ocean of bloody competition by creating uncontested market space that makes the competition irrelevant. Instead of dividing up existing—and often shrinking—demand and benchmarking competitors, the blue ocean strategy is about growing demand and breaking away from the competition.” Thus, blue ocean is about charting a yet unexplored territory of business, and as a result, creating a demand that didn’t exist within the existing business scenario. By doing so, for example, launching a new service or product, the company thus creates the possibility for business growth. Also, spearheading a new market space nearly nullifies the risk of strong competition from contenders.  

Some key features of this strategy are:

• Value innovation: Blue Ocean creates unprecedented value for customers and the company through innovative products or services, a core aspect of the strategy 
• Irrelevance of competition: Making traditional competitors obsolete by offering a unique and superior value proposition
• Uncontested market space: Discovering and developing new markets where competition is minimal or nonexistent
• Long-term vision: Focusing on sustainable growth and lasting value creation rather than short-term gains
• Calculated risk-taking: Embracing a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and explore uncharted territories
• Customer committed: Finally, prioritizing a deep understanding of customer needs and preferences to tailor offerings accordingly

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Blue Ocean Approach

A. Advantages

• Access to vast, unexplored market spaces with immense growth potential
• Operating in a space with minimal or no direct rivals
• The ability to command premium prices and, hence, higher profit margins due to the unique value proposition
• Creating a distinct and memorable brand identity in the minds of consumers
• Establishing a dominant position in a new market before competitors catch up

B. Disadvantages

• A major disadvantage is venturing into the unknown carries inherent risks and uncertainties
• Requires a constant focus on innovation to maintain a competitive edge
• Moreover, developing new markets and products can be costly and time-consuming
• Additionally, building awareness and educating consumers about a new market takes effort
• Maintaining a Blue Ocean strategy also requires ongoing innovation and adaptation to evolving customer needs

ALSO READ: How to Become a Strategy Consultant: Everything You Need to Know

Blue Ocean and Red Ocean Strategies: A Comparative Approach

Now that you have an understanding of the specificities of Blue Ocean and Red Ocean strategies, let’s dive deeper into a comparative analysis to better understand their contrasting approaches. Here is a comparison table that evaluates Blue Ocean and Red Ocean approaches against each other:

Market Opportunity and Competitive Advantage

Both the Blue Ocean and Red Ocean approaches have their own specificities, and they impact businesses and the market accordingly. Here are two examples of how the two different strategies shape business outlook and structure the space of competition.

A. Red Ocean Realities: The Airline Industry’s Turbulence

In the tumultuous skies of the airline industry, carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines grapple with the harsh realities of fierce competition. According to the latest US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, these three airlines have nearly equal market share in the US domestic aviation industry, with American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines holding, respectively, 17.3%, 17.8%, and 16% of the market volume. And the competition between them is primarily defined by price wars, relentless marketing campaigns, and a constant struggle to fill seats on established routes. Consequently, airlines strive to outmaneuver rivals by offering marginally better amenities or loyalty programs. However, these incremental improvements rarely translate into substantial gains. 

As a result, the market remains saturated, and increased profitability often proves elusive due to the constant pressure to lower fares to attract price-sensitive passengers. Thus, this Red Ocean scenario exemplifies the limitations of competing within a crowded space, where innovation is often stifled, and growth is constrained by the finite demand for air travel. 

B. Blue Ocean Breakthrough: Apple’s iPhone Revolution

In stark contrast, Apple’s audacious foray into the mobile phone market with the iPhone illustrates the transformative power of the Blue Ocean strategy. In the early 2000s, the mobile phone landscape resembled a “red ocean”, with numerous manufacturers vying for market share through incremental feature additions. 

Apple envisioned a different future. For instance, instead of adding more hardware and features in an additive manner to rival its contenders—which would have been a classic Red Ocean approach—Apple redefined the smartphone by focusing on user experience. For example, it introduced a sleek touchscreen interface and created a thriving app ecosystem. Thus, Apple moved away from the typical factors that existing mobile phone companies were depending on to boost their sales. Consequently, Apple’s innovative approach tapped into latent demand, attracting not only existing mobile phone users but also those who previously found traditional phones too complex or unappealing.

The takeaway here is that the iPhone’s success wasn’t just about selling more phones; it was about creating a new market for mobile applications. This Blue Ocean triumph underscores the immense potential of venturing beyond existing boundaries, where innovation and value creation can lead to unprecedented growth and market dominance.

ALSO READ: What is Strategy? Choose the Best Approach for Business Growth

Applications in Corporate: Making the Right Choice Between Blue Ocean and Red Ocean

1. Strategic Self-Assessment: Red or Blue?

So, between Blue Ocean and Red Ocean—which one is best suited for your business objectives? To determine this, start by assessing your current market position. Are you operating in a crowded red ocean space with fierce competition? Or do you see untapped potential and a chance to create a new Blue Ocean market? Additionally, consider the company’s risk tolerance and appetite for innovation. If you are comfortable with calculated risks and possess a strong innovative spirit, a Blue Ocean strategy might be your calling. However, if you prefer a more predictable environment and excel at operational efficiency, then the Red Ocean might be a better fit. The choice between Blue Ocean and Red Ocean strategies should be guided by a thorough understanding of your company’s strengths and the market landscape.

2. Key Considerations for Choosing Between Blue Ocean and Red Ocean

A. Market Conditions

Analyze the specific industry’s competitive landscape, growth potential, and customer needs. So, are you in a saturated red ocean or an emerging blue ocean?

B. Company Capabilities

Evaluate your company’s strengths, weaknesses, resources, and risk tolerance. Now, do you have the capacity for Blue Ocean innovation or are you better suited for Red Ocean competition?

C. Long-Term Goals

Determine whether you seek incremental growth within existing markets or aim to create entirely new ones.  

D. Innovation Appetite

Assess your willingness to challenge industry norms and invest in disruptive ideas. Are you ready to make the leap into the blue ocean?

E. Customer Focus

Consider how well you understand your target audience and their unmet needs. Can you identify opportunities for Blue Ocean value innovation?

3. Implementation: Tips for Charting Your Strategic Course

Now that you have a clear understanding of both Blue Ocean and Red Ocean approaches, here are some useful tips to help you implement these strategies according to your requirements:

A. Red Ocean Tactics

• Focus on operational efficiency and cost reduction to offer competitive prices
• Develop unique features or benefits that set your products or services apart
• Target a specific market segment and tailor your offerings to their needs
• Partner with other companies to expand your reach or access new resources
• Acquire competitors to consolidate market share and gain a competitive edge

B. Blue Ocean Maneuvers

• Identify and eliminate factors that customers don’t value, reduce costs on non-essential features, raise standards on key attributes, and create new elements that the industry has never offered
• Define a new market space by identifying untapped customer needs and developing innovative solutions
• Build strong relationships with customers and involve them in the innovation process
• Collaborate with complementary businesses to co-create new markets or offerings
• Foster a network of partners and stakeholders to support and grow your blue ocean

ALSO READ: Strategies for Sustainable Business: The Ultimate 4-Step Guide

In essence, Blue Ocean and Red Ocean strategies offer contrasting paths to success in the corporate world. While the latter involves fierce competition within existing markets, the former is all about a paradigm shift. It focuses on creating new, uncontested spaces through innovation. However, each approach has its own merits and challenges, making the choice between them a crucial strategic decision. So, are you ready to delve deeper into strategic thinking? Consider joining Emeritus’ strategy and innovation courses, a contemporary module to help you navigate the turbulent landscape of 21st-century businesses and guide your organization toward success.  

Write to us at content@emeritus.org