About Strategy Call
Services
The Executive Level The HQ
Insights
Podcast Blog

102: Why Good Products Fail: The 5 Unwritten Rules of Digital Growth in 2026

Season #4

 Episode Summary: In 2026, building a "good" product is no longer enough. You are competing in an AI-fueled, attention-scarce market where your investors, your team, and your customers have endless options. So, why do some companies quietly compound into category kings while others stagnate?

In this episode, Marlin breaks down the five unwritten rules of building digital and tech companies that almost nobody talks about. We move beyond the basics of MVP and functional problem-solving to discuss emotional identity, the "Better vs. Different" trap, and how to survive the inevitable market consolidation.

If you are a visionary leader looking to build equity, legacy, and alignment in the next generation of innovation, this roadmap is for you.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Rule #1: The Evolution of Product-Market Fit. Why functional solutions are dead and why your product must speak to a specific identity (The Amex vs. Discover effect).

  • Rule #2: The 3 S’s of Platform Growth. Strategy, Structure, and Systems—how to execute with excellence without exhausting your team.

  • Rule #3: Proof vs. Unfair Advantage. Why "better" is just table stakes and how to identify what makes you fascinating to your market.

  • Rule #4: Respecting the Curve. How to stop diluting your message by talking to Laggards when you should be speaking to Innovators.

  • Rule #5: The Consolidation Game. How to stay relevant and avoid being swapped out for the "next shiny thing" in an AI world.

 Resources Mentioned:

  • Fascination Advantage by Sally Hogshead

  • Hooked by Nir Eyal

  • Case Studies: American Express, Apple, Aura Ring, TikTok vs. Meta

Connect with Marlyne: