In the 7 Powers template, which step involves evaluating whether the advantage is exclusive?

• A. Select a power
• B. Define the benefit
• C. Identify the barrier
• D. Conduct an exclusivity check

Answer: (D)

Exclusivity determines the durability of an advantage. In the 7 Powers framework, after selecting a power and clarifying the benefit and how it is protected, you then perform an exclusivity check to see whether that advantage is truly exclusive. This means asking if competitors can imitate or obtain the same edge, or if the advantage hinges on something unique to you—like a network effect, proprietary access, strong brand, unique distribution, or other barriers that are not easily replicable. If the advantage passes this exclusivity check, it’s considered durable; if not, it signals that the edge may be temporary and requires reassessment of the power or protections. The other steps—picking the power, defining the benefit, and identifying barriers—lay the groundwork, but they don’t explicitly confirm whether the advantage remains exclusive in practice.