Niche
The ecological role of a species in its environment—what it eats, where it lives, when it's active, and how it interacts with other species. Often described as the 'job' or 'profession' of a species.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 59 chapters:
"They reproduce (franchises, subsidiaries, copied business models). They compete for survival in ecosystems we call markets (the niche or ecosystem in which the organization competes for resources). And yes, they can die. Most business books ignore this."
"...d software (Windows, Office) - Sell one-time licenses - Revenue spike at launch, then trough until next version - Heavily dependent on PC market (the niche or ecosystem in which the organization competes for resources) growth This was glucose metabolism - quick energy bursts, but inconsistent fuel suppl..."
"...ental rules. Rule 1: Where to grow. Healthy cells grow at specific, concentrated points - growth plates in bones, meristems in plants, stem cell niches in organs. Cancer cells grow everywhere. Every tumor is diffuse, uncoordinated growth. No concentration, no specialization, just expansion in all dir..."
"...n across its 2-micrometer body and adjusts within milliseconds. Kodak invented digital photography in 1975, watched it capture 90% of the market (the niche or ecosystem in which the organization competes for resources), and still went bankrupt selling film."
"...ually doesn't. Because here's the counter-intuitive truth biology teaches: you can't inherit acquired characteristics. Your success in Market A (the niche or ecosystem in which the organization competes for resources) is phenotype - the expression of your organizational DNA in specific conditions."
And 54 more chapters...
Biological Context
A niche includes resource requirements, environmental tolerances, and interactions with other species. Two species with identical niches cannot coexist (competitive exclusion). Niche differentiation allows similar species to coexist by using resources in different ways.
Business Application
In business, a niche is a specialized market position defined by who you serve, what you offer, and how you compete. Two companies cannot occupy identical niches indefinitely.