Why Competition Sucks: To Outdo or to Over-deliver?

I know there are school of thoughts that would give you 101 reasons why you should always study your competition before launching your brand…

One reason they would often mention is for you to be able to do your stuff differently and stand out…

Why this may sound like a cool idea, here is something I have observed would be the end result of that strenuous process…

You will end up doing something that would, hopefully, stand out, but may eventually be irrelevant to your audience and unsustainable.

The kind of energy we pour into outperforming competition is becoming so unbecoming, to the point where we quickly lose focus of what really matters…

Your audience, the people you were sent to serve.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying you shouldn’t observe what others are already doing in your space, but that should not be at the detriment of the real essence of who you are, what you stand for and who you are sent to serve.

Think about it for a second, when you decide to start a business or pursue a cause, what are the one key question that comes to mind?

Who else is doing what I am about to do right now?

The question of who needs what I am about do, rarely pops up…

That’s because we are gradually being wired into a culture of competition.

Unfortunately, many fail to start what probably could be the next big thing, stemming from a sincere heart seeking to meet the needs of people, all because a so-called “competition” is already doing that same thing.

Holy crap!

Here is something I need you to take out from this talk today…

“You are not in that business or cause to outdo any competition, but to over deliver to your audience.”

If your motive right now, for doing what you do, is to get back at a competition or outdo them…you have missed the point. Go home!

Embracing this mindset will enable build the stamina and patience required to build a brand that is not only relevant, but is also sustainable.

Yours truly,
Emeka Nwarulor

Courtesy: Living Your Brand