In the past two years, colleagues in the smart home industry have often complained that they have done less work but not made more money.
In fact, the reason is very simple. Everyone is using old maps to find new continents.
In the past, the “sales + design + procurement + construction + after-sales” model once supported many people, but now, this model is being washed away by the tide of professional division of labor.
You can do a little bit of everything, but you can’t do anything perfectly.
Compared with sales, you can’t be a celebrity blogger; compared with plans, you can’t be a professional designer; compared with delivery, you can’t be a professional platform with clear division of labor.
There is only one ultimate iron law in the industry: your irreplaceability determines your right to survive.
People who can be replaced at any time will sooner or later lose their profits.
And those who achieve the ultimate in a certain link will have the pricing power of the entire ecosystem.
Today, I will share with you the eight major ecological niches that have been observed and deduced in the past few years to see which position is best for you.
Ecological niche one: Ecological platform
They are the makers of the industry’s “language” and “operating system” and are responsible for communication protocols and connection standards between devices.
Xiaomi, Huawei, and Apple have firmly occupied the market.
The timing is ⭐, the window is basically closed, it requires huge amounts of capital and technology accumulation, ordinary people don’t have to think about it.
Ecological niche 2: R&D manufacturer
Focusing on technology research and development, product design and manufacturing, it is the “technology and production capacity base” of the entire industry.
The timing is right, the dividend period for pure OEMs has passed, and only “hidden champions” who master exclusive core technologies or design capabilities can break through.
Ecological niche three: Brand operators
Defining market demand, shaping brands, and managing channels.
They don’t own factories, but they own “brands” and “channels.”
The timing is perfect and the competition is fierce. Unless an extremely segmented blue ocean market is found, the cost of building a new brand will be extremely high.
Eco-niche 4: Solution integrator
Translate customers’ vague needs into implementable technical solutions, and be responsible for final deliverability.
This role is becoming polarized: the low-end ones are absorbed by AI and agents and have almost no value; the high-end ones are moving toward independent “intelligent design offices” and are extremely valuable.
The timing is ⭐⭐⭐, focus on villas and mansions, strengthen design aesthetics and in-depth communication skills, the market is at the right time.
Ecological Niche 5: Traffic Buyer
By continuously outputting professional content, we can build personalized trust and complete efficient transaction conversion.
They have replaced traditional shopping guides and become the “trust entrance” in the new era.
The timing is ⭐⭐⭐⭐, the content dividend is still there, and it is one of the best tracks for individuals to rise.
Find the correct segmentation and positioning, and continue to output to establish a personal IP.
Ecological niche six: Delivery infrastructure platform
Provide standardized, predictable, and guaranteed delivery services for the entire industry.
What is sold is not labor, but “delivery certainty.”
The product brand cannot cover the whole country, and a small team cannot support professional delivery. The industry is in urgent need of an independent third party that dares to tell the truth to provide “water, electricity and coal”.
The timing is ⭐⭐⭐, suitable for pioneers with deep industry experience and the courage to define rules.
Ecological Niche Seven: Local Delivery Execution Expert
The ultimate executor of “delivery certainty”, the “last mile” connecting online platforms and the physical world.
The entire industry is looking for reliable project managers and masters, and there is a huge gap between supply and demand.
The timing is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and the dividends are huge. This is the best opportunity to seize the mental label of “reliable”.
Ecological Niche 8: Empowerment Service Providers
Providing training, software, consulting and other services for the above roles, they are the “accelerator” of the entire ecosystem.
The timing is ⭐, and it will take several years before demand for professional training, SaaS, etc. explodes.
How to choose?
Ask yourself three questions:
- Did the most profitable project in the past year rely on customer acquisition, design or delivery?
- What is the most comfortable and fulfilling thing to do?
- Who do you want to be in three to five years?
Super IP?
High-end designer?
Or the best local delivery expert?
The answer is your location.
We are at a critical juncture where the old order collapses and a new order is established.
Professional division of labor releases huge dividends, and everyone has the opportunity to do their best in the field they are best at.
Positioning is not what you choose to do, but what you dare not to do.
Each of these eight ecological niches is a huge opportunity, but the prerequisite is that you dare to give up those that do not belong to you.
