Business, whether to consumers or other businesses, can no longer afford to operate under a competitive model or mindset.
Large dinosaurs (remember Kodak) that move slowly, with shareholder value top of mind, may continue to seek dominance. But they’ll be gone before they know it.
Being competitive in business now when information and choice is a just click away, is redundant.
Buyers are mightily empowered with access to knowledge and seek cooperation, collaboration and partnership with their suppliers.
Smart businesses know they must provide buyers with authentic scope of choice and real value.
Buyers’ needs and desires are often complex and unique to the buyer.
Those needs and desires are also changing rapidly – influenced by disruptive change in all walks of life.
It is unlikely that a business can remain an expert supplier of choice of goods and services in this complexity, volatility, uncertainty and ambiguity.
What’s the alternative?
Perhaps it’s time for old competitors to unite, if not merge, to bring their unique capabilities together to provide choice and service to their clients or customers in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration that will be appreciated by their market.
I’m doing that right now.
I’m collaborating and cooperating with other consultants, trainers and coaches to offer a more wholesome and deeper service to my clients and market.
It requires sharing values, vision, competence and knowledge in the faith that there is enough for everyone.
The mindset alters from being “I am better” to being “the best we can be”.
There is no reason why this can’t apply to goods as well as services. Think of the economy of scale and resources.
The final requirements are courage, better practice and learning. They overcome fear, habits and ignorance.
It’s a case of spirit overcoming ego.
What do you think?
