Build a Metagame

In every cricket match, there’s the actual game – the one you see on TV – and then there’s the metagame.

It’s the mind games Kohli plays with a bowler, the field placements that bait you into a bad shot, or the fitness regime that ensures Bumrah is bowling toe-crushers deep into the last over.

The metagame isn’t the game itself; it’s the strategy surrounding the game that influences outcomes.

Guess what? Business works exactly the same way.

The “game” is what everyone sees – the product you sell, the ads you run, and the sales targets you chase.

But the metagame?
That’s the invisible strategy that tilts the board in your favor. 

It’s what helps you win not just today but for years to come.

How Do You Build a Metagame in Business?

1. Create Leverage Beyond Your Product:
   Selling soap? Cool. But if all you care about is soap, you’ll lose the moment a competitor drops their prices. Instead, focus on creating emotional leverage. Dettol doesn’t sell soap – it sells trust, health, and “mummy ka pyaar.” Even when someone else offers a cheaper bar, people stick with the brand because the metagame has already been won.
   

2. Understand the Unseen Forces:
   Just like chess players think several moves ahead, successful businesses predict customer behavior. Why do you think Zomato sends you a push notification at 7 PM with a deal for your favorite pizza? They know you’re hungry before you do. The metagame here isn’t food delivery; it’s controlling when and how you think about food.
   

3. Play for the Ecosystem, Not Just the Match:
   T20s are exciting, but Test cricket builds legacies. Similarly, don’t focus on just one big sale or campaign. Apple doesn’t just sell you an iPhone; it builds an ecosystem where you’re tied into iCloud, Apple Music, and AirPods. They’ve won the metagame because leaving feels like losing.

In branding, the metagame is about perception.

A Kirana shop that smells good and plays peppy music isn’t just selling groceries; it’s building a vibe that makes people come back.

A business logo isn’t just a design – it’s the Trojan horse that plants your brand in people’s minds before they even know it.

The metagame in business isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s a survival kit.

You’re not just selling products; you’re crafting experiences, controlling narratives, and building ecosystems.

The next time you’re planning your moves, don’t just play to win the game.

Build the metagame – and become a legend!

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P.S. if you want to learn in-depth about branding, you can sign up for the 5-day free email course.

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