Porter 5 forces

[mrEngineer]

Hey MW,
I see that you frequently used porter 5 forces model to analyze the companies. I wonder is there a good book that explains this concept? Is the book by Michael Porter good to read, Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors?

BTW, on investopedia there is a section on industry handbook which gives some analysis on various industries using the Porter 5 force model. Is the material there good to refer to? http://www.investopedia.com/features/ind...efault.asp

Hey d.o.g,
I am always amazed by your ability to analyze. Would you be able to share your journey (books, agms, people you met, experience, career etc) that helped you to build such analytical and critical framework? It will be good if you can have a self-biography so to inspire and give some guidelines to newbies like me. Thanks!

[Musicwhiz]

Hi Mr. Engineer,

I learnt the 5-forces model when I was doing my MBA, and I especially liked the module on Corporate Strategy where many real-life examples would be used to illustrate the model in action. I therefore think that this model is very useful for analyzing companies for potential investment as it covers the qualitative aspect and business model.

As for books on 5-forces, I can't relaly recall a good one, but perhaps you can browse at your nearest bookstore.

Haha for d.o.g., I think he's had years of experience and practice as well as making mistakes. That's how all investors learn and become better. I am also learning from him as I go along.....

[kazukirai]

MrEngineer,

Thanks for the link! I think it'll be pretty useful for a starting point and a base to think about various companies and where they fit into the big picture.

[cyborg]

Useful links about Porter's Five Forces :
1. http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/porter.shtml
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_five...s_analysis

[donmihaihai]

Get the latest updated version of 'on competition.' if you are interested which included stuffs on internet. It is expensive but worth it.
Lot of examples and the best way to read it is having at least a good understanding on a handful of companies and industries before reading it. Or read it again after some time.

Do the same thing for 'financial shenanigans'.