--- title: Competitive Advantage through Business Process - Results description: As part of strategic planning & strategic advantage, all firms should assess their processes against what competitors are doing. image: https://blog.unleashresults.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adults-analysis-brainstorming-1661004.jpg --- [![](https://blog.unleashresults.com/hubfs/results-white.png) ![](https://blog.unleashresults.com/hubfs/Results_logo_transparent-retinap.png)](https://unleashresults.com/) - Calgary [1-403-234-0999](tel:+14032340999) - Edmonton [1-780-784-1047](tel:+17807841047) - Vancouver [1-236-521-1954](tel:+12365211954) - [About](https://unleashresults.com/about/) - [Team](https://unleashresults.com/about/#team) - [Community Involvement](https://unleashresults.com/community-involvement/) - [Join the Team](https://unleashresults.com/careers/) - [Book Jeff Tetz to Speak](https://unleashresults.com/jefftetz/) - [Results Execution System (RES)](https://unleashresults.com/services/) - [Execution Disciplines Program](https://unleashresults.com/services/execution-disciplines-program/) - 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[Blog](https://blog.unleashresults.com) - Competitive Advantage through Business Process Table of Contents Michael Dell started Dell Computers in his dorm room in the 1980s, a time when IBM dominated the PC market.  By 1993, Dell had taken significant market share from IBM, Compaq and others, and grown to $2B in revenue.  The computers Dell built and sold weren’t unique, but the process was.  Every other player in the industry at the time was building to stock (i.e. manufacturing ‘spec’ computers to put in warehouses and on retail shelves) while Dell was building to order.  The Dell customer configured and paid for the computer before it was manufactured, and with Dell’s disciplined inventory management and aggressive terms with suppliers, often the customer had paid for and received the products well before Dell paid suppliers for components. ​   Because of this, Dell was able to get their cash-conversion-cycle down to minus 36 days, and that meant the company had free customer financing for their business.  The faster Dell grew the more money they had on hand – do the math and you’ll calculate that Dell had $170M interest free working capital in 1993.  This story is just one example how a process change can create competitive advantage.  Blockbuster and Netflix both provided a service that allowed customers to rent and enjoy movies in their home, but Netflix had a more efficient and desirable process that ultimately put Blockbuster out of business.  Similarly, both Barnes & Nobel and Amazon sold books to customers, but with different processes Amazon became the industry leader in a very short time.  Hotels vs. AirBnB.  Expedia vs. Travel Agents.  Taxis vs. Uber vs. Car2Go.  These are all examples of how process changes in businesses can result in significant competitive advantages.  The above examples all draw on advances in technology, but that’s not always the case.  Consider these process improvements that have occurred that save customers time, money, or both:  - Doctors, bankers, lawyers and oil change services that make house calls. - Separate line ups at the grocery store for people with just a few items (express checkout) vs. those with many items. - Pre-screening of travelers to save time at security and immigration at international border crossings. - Drive thru restaurants and food pickup. As part of strategic planning, all firms should assess their processes against what competitors are doing.  This can often be a significant source of ideas for strategic advantage.  ![Tim O’Connor](https://blog.unleashresults.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/8733a19cec54ebd69d587a2d522e7591-Nov-03-2021-12-12-26-73-AM.jpeg?width=80&height=80&name=8733a19cec54ebd69d587a2d522e7591-Nov-03-2021-12-12-26-73-AM.jpeg) ### [Tim O’Connor](https://unleashresults.com/author/timoconnor/)     - Share this article - - - [Sign Up Now for Upcoming Events](https://resources.unleashresults.com/leadership-development-events) ##### Sign Up For Our Newsletter - [Popular](https://blog.unleashresults.com/competitive-advantage-through-business-process#sidebar-popular-posts) - [Recent](https://blog.unleashresults.com/competitive-advantage-through-business-process#sidebar-recent-posts) [Navigating Business Uncertainty in a Tariff-Driven Economy September, 16 2026](https://blog.unleashresults.com/navigating-business-uncertainty) [The Results Peak Performance Habits System August, 24 2026](https://blog.unleashresults.com/the-results-peak-performance-habits-system) [Why Does Change Management Fail (And What To Do About It) July, 20 2026](https://blog.unleashresults.com/why-change-management-fails) [The Results’ Four Cs of Extraordinary Teams Framework June, 21 2026](https://blog.unleashresults.com/the-results-four-cs-of-extraordinary-teams) [Climbing the Accountability Ladder May, 15 2026](https://blog.unleashresults.com/climbing-the-accountability-ladder) [Climbing the Accountability Ladder May, 15 2026](https://blog.unleashresults.com/climbing-the-accountability-ladder) [The Results’ Four Cs of Extraordinary Teams Framework June, 21 2026](https://blog.unleashresults.com/the-results-four-cs-of-extraordinary-teams) [The Best Leadership Conferences in 2026 | Results January, 1 2026](https://blog.unleashresults.com/top-leadership-conferences) [The Role of Leaders in Driving Innovation and Change July, 3 2024](https://blog.unleashresults.com/the-role-of-leaders-in-driving-innovation-and-change) [Why Do Family Businesses Fail? 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