It’s common for business leaders to talk about the importance of having a competitive edge in order to succeed, but what does that actually mean? Sine qua non refers to an essential element or condition without which something cannot be achieved. In business, this could mean a product, service, resource, asset, relationship, or other factor that’s required to be successful.
Take Amazon, for example: behind their business success is a sine qua non of technology like cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Amazon needs these tech components to run its business, sell its products, and meet demand in an ever-changing competitive landscape. Without this essential component, Amazon would struggle to stay at the top.
Marketing is also a sine qua non that’s necessary for business success. Without marketing, no matter how great a product, service, or resource is, no one will know about it. Companies need to effectively market their offerings in order to increase awareness, drive sales, and gain a competitive advantage.
These examples illustrate how sine qua non is the unmentioned but essential component of business success. When planning their next venture, business leaders need to consider all the elements that are required for a successful outcome. Without them, even the greatest business strategies won’t reach their full potential.