Posts Tagged ‘competitors’

Yes, You DO Have Competitors!

Friday, December 16th, 2022

It’s not unusual, when I’m meeting with a new prospect or making a presentation related to marketing and the issue of competitors comes up, for someone to say: “We don’t really have any competitors.”

My response: “Well, actually you do.”

Even the latest and greatest brand new technological innovation that nobody has ever seen before will have to think about competitors. Here’s why. (more…)

What Beer Companies Can Teach Us About the Dangers of Publicly Attacking Competitors

Tuesday, May 28th, 2019

The growth strategyand corresponding marketing strategyof a company has a lot to do with the nature of its industry. When a new market is developed or discovered, we say there is a blue oceanan unmet demand in a market that isn’t served or is vastly underserved. Market share and sales can be increased by simply letting consumers know that a product or service exists and convincing them that they want the product. By contrast, in a red ocean, the market and the major players are already established, and the market is saturated. The only way to increase market share is to take market share from a competitor. That can be exceedingly difficult to do. (more…)

Iterative Innovation: Improving Upon Competitors’ Ideas to Build Value for Your Customers

Tuesday, December 19th, 2017

8970947 - illuminated light bulb in a row of dim ones concept for creativity, innovation and solutionWhen facing competitors, there’s an old saying that goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” In other words, if you aren’t able to overcome your rivals, you’re better off cooperating with them or joining their side in the hopes that you’ll gain some sort of advantage. In the business world, a better saying might be, “If you can’t beat ‘em, copy ‘em.” (more…)

Yes! You DO Have Competitors!

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

Every once in a while, we work with a client who believes that they do not have any competition–they are unique or their product is so exceptional that there is just nothing that competes. Those client conversations are always just a little bit awkward because, in reality, every organization of any size has competition of one form or another. Even an organization that is introducing a truly unique and innovative new product will deal with “indirect competition” (literally, “any other alternative” to what they have to offer). Acknowledging competition can be tough, but it’s a critical step in determining how to best “position” and sell what it is that you have to offer.

One way to think about this is to ask yourself the question: (more…)