Love thy competitors
Halfway through my latest ebook, one that will help people set up and work with WordPress (a platform for blogs and websites like this one), I noticed, on Twitter, that a respected competitor is also working on one. Now there was a time when I would have thought all kinds of rude things and stamped my foot and maybe even thought that there was no point in writing mine. Tsk!
Nowadays I consider the synergies, potential or obvious, instead. And even though it turns out that there will be much similarity in the overall topic of our books, I know that we’ll each write in our own, quite different, voices. He’ll pick up on things that I won’t, and vice versa, and his style will suit some that mine will not. So not a problem, obviously; quite the opposite, I’m sure. He is one of a number of people that I know does a good job and does know what they’re doing. So the times when I cannot help someone, there are several people to whom I can reliably refer a client.
Understanding and respecting good competitors is useful for both me and my clients. Rather than seeing any possible threat, instead I think it more useful to consider the positives of knowing good people to whom I can refer clients that I cannot work with for whatever reason – work overflow or perhaps we’re already working with a client in the potential client’s business type – this is especially so for good Internet marketing people.
Now and then I see others doing something that is in direct competition, and they may well notice the same about me. What good competitors keep in mind is that we all approach things in different ways. So when it comes down to it, there are fewer “competitors” than we think, perhaps. And there’s enough work for all of us!
Go on – hug your competitors 
About BabsBabs runs The Blogmistress to help people use WordPress for their websites and/or blogs. Here on Birds however she lets loose on just about any subject other than WordPress! Follow her on twitter
View all posts by Babs →
28 Responses to Love thy competitors
In her shoes: My descent in entrepreneurial hell
In her shoes is a series of anonymous posts from women in business, sharing their experience. In your comments you are asked to answer the question – What would you do in her shoes? My story began 9 months ago; it is a story of self-realisation, friendship, love and betrayal. After 11 years at home [...]
In transport we love our competitors
one day they are competition, the next day they are a valued sub contractor or we are theirs. Collaborations and JVs are more common in transport than you think! It’s just took it’s time to go mainstream 
In transport we love our competitors
one day they are competition, the next day they are a valued sub contractor or we are theirs. Collaborations and JVs are more common in transport than you think! It’s just took it’s time to go mainstream 
In transport we love our competitors
one day they are competition, the next day they are a valued sub contractor or we are theirs. Collaborations and JVs are more common in transport than you think! It’s just took it’s time to go mainstream 
Strangely I wrote a blog today about not being scared of our competitors too!
Competition is a good thing – there’s plenty of business out there for everyone
Twitter: nikkipilkington
Strangely I wrote a blog today about not being scared of our competitors too!
Competition is a good thing – there’s plenty of business out there for everyone
Twitter: nikkipilkington
Strangely I wrote a blog today about not being scared of our competitors too!
Competition is a good thing – there’s plenty of business out there for everyone
Twitter: nikkipilkington
Hi Babs
Do you remember when I finished the networking ebook and you introduced me to Andy Lopata (who’d written a best seller ‘And death came third’ some time before on the subject) for him to read it over and get his comments? He penned a glowing write up about it for me to put on the website
.
And you’re right, I believe: ‘Competitors’ do have different strengths that can open doors to passing business between each other. And, as Sarah says, there’s the potential collaboration aspect that maybe jointly will secure business where neither on his or her own would have got a ‘look in’.
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Hi Babs
Do you remember when I finished the networking ebook and you introduced me to Andy Lopata (who’d written a best seller ‘And death came third’ some time before on the subject) for him to read it over and get his comments? He penned a glowing write up about it for me to put on the website
.
And you’re right, I believe: ‘Competitors’ do have different strengths that can open doors to passing business between each other. And, as Sarah says, there’s the potential collaboration aspect that maybe jointly will secure business where neither on his or her own would have got a ‘look in’.
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Hi Babs
Do you remember when I finished the networking ebook and you introduced me to Andy Lopata (who’d written a best seller ‘And death came third’ some time before on the subject) for him to read it over and get his comments? He penned a glowing write up about it for me to put on the website
.
And you’re right, I believe: ‘Competitors’ do have different strengths that can open doors to passing business between each other. And, as Sarah says, there’s the potential collaboration aspect that maybe jointly will secure business where neither on his or her own would have got a ‘look in’.
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
If only all competitors could see each other not so much as competition but more as co-businesses. As a jewellery maker, there is so much competition and the first time I encountered it on my “door-step” I was peeved to say the least – how dare a friend of a friend be so rude blah blah. But when I got past this initial reaction, I saw it as an opportunity – to share thoughts and ideas and to support each other. Sadly, this wasn’t as well received as I would have hoped – maybe the competitive thing was stronger in her than me.
In my view, in all walks of business and life, there is room for everyone. No two are the same, each one will have it’s own USP and it is up to the “owner” to make the most of that.
If only all competitors could see each other not so much as competition but more as co-businesses. As a jewellery maker, there is so much competition and the first time I encountered it on my “door-step” I was peeved to say the least – how dare a friend of a friend be so rude blah blah. But when I got past this initial reaction, I saw it as an opportunity – to share thoughts and ideas and to support each other. Sadly, this wasn’t as well received as I would have hoped – maybe the competitive thing was stronger in her than me.
In my view, in all walks of business and life, there is room for everyone. No two are the same, each one will have it’s own USP and it is up to the “owner” to make the most of that.
If only all competitors could see each other not so much as competition but more as co-businesses. As a jewellery maker, there is so much competition and the first time I encountered it on my “door-step” I was peeved to say the least – how dare a friend of a friend be so rude blah blah. But when I got past this initial reaction, I saw it as an opportunity – to share thoughts and ideas and to support each other. Sadly, this wasn’t as well received as I would have hoped – maybe the competitive thing was stronger in her than me.
In my view, in all walks of business and life, there is room for everyone. No two are the same, each one will have it’s own USP and it is up to the “owner” to make the most of that.
it’s true that transport is very collaborative, and thats what I like about it, I do recall Sarah saying she had a really difficult time when she worked in recruitment. Certain sectors are more open to working in partnership than others.
Mary, not sure I could work with a close friend in the same business I struggle working with the wife at times
it’s true that transport is very collaborative, and thats what I like about it, I do recall Sarah saying she had a really difficult time when she worked in recruitment. Certain sectors are more open to working in partnership than others.
Mary, not sure I could work with a close friend in the same business I struggle working with the wife at times
I worked in the welfare to work sector and traditional RC’s were not interested in working together to help get people back into work – some despite strong reassures thought I would somehow (even thought I didn’t work for the same company) steal their commission!
I have known recruitment agencies not to fill jobs – not due to the lack of qualified candidates but due to consultants not sharing the vacancy or the candidates with each other. The companies own internal recruiters found internal competition was just too rife to work effectively. hence my current position not to work with recruiters.
I worked in the welfare to work sector and traditional RC’s were not interested in working together to help get people back into work – some despite strong reassures thought I would somehow (even thought I didn’t work for the same company) steal their commission!
I have known recruitment agencies not to fill jobs – not due to the lack of qualified candidates but due to consultants not sharing the vacancy or the candidates with each other. The companies own internal recruiters found internal competition was just too rife to work effectively. hence my current position not to work with recruiters.
Kevin it’s great to hear that because I have tried with little success to get some collaboration in our field. Alas! I can understand the commission thingy but how about trying to work with someone who does fudge or truffles when I do plain chocolate?!
I have given up.
Kevin it’s great to hear that because I have tried with little success to get some collaboration in our field. Alas! I can understand the commission thingy but how about trying to work with someone who does fudge or truffles when I do plain chocolate?!
I have given up.
it’s true that transport is very collaborative, and thats what I like about it, I do recall Sarah saying she had a really difficult time when she worked in recruitment. Certain sectors are more open to working in partnership than others.
Mary, not sure I could work with a close friend in the same business I struggle working with the wife at times
I worked in the welfare to work sector and traditional RC’s were not interested in working together to help get people back into work – some despite strong reassures thought I would somehow (even thought I didn’t work for the same company) steal their commission!
I have known recruitment agencies not to fill jobs – not due to the lack of qualified candidates but due to consultants not sharing the vacancy or the candidates with each other. The companies own internal recruiters found internal competition was just too rife to work effectively. hence my current position not to work with recruiters.
Kevin it’s great to hear that because I have tried with little success to get some collaboration in our field. Alas! I can understand the commission thingy but how about trying to work with someone who does fudge or truffles when I do plain chocolate?!
I have given up.
Pingback: uberVU - social comments
I totally agree. I see my ‘competitors’ as my ‘colleagues’. We’re in the same industry and we talk the same language. As web designers, we rarely offer exactly the same product. The advantages of being able to help, collaborate, refer or subcontract far outway the small chance of lost business.
I totally agree. I see my ‘competitors’ as my ‘colleagues’. We’re in the same industry and we talk the same language. As web designers, we rarely offer exactly the same product. The advantages of being able to help, collaborate, refer or subcontract far outway the small chance of lost business.
I totally agree. I see my ‘competitors’ as my ‘colleagues’. We’re in the same industry and we talk the same language. As web designers, we rarely offer exactly the same product. The advantages of being able to help, collaborate, refer or subcontract far outway the small chance of lost business.
I have every respect for my competitors who have similar standards and values to mine, and we often pass work across to each other when a project comes in that needs a particular freelance writer’s specialisation.
What I do find irksome, though, is people who set themselves up as offering freelance writing or editing without having the training or skills required to do it to a high standard. Sometimes the writing element is bundled in with PR, email marketing, SEO and various other tools, almost as an accessory.
Still, clients tend to find out the hard way that cheap, cheerful words don’t work for them very well … and they then come to me and my competitors to get the job done properly.
So at this level, we freelance writing competitors can afford to be not only colleagues but also good friends!
Twitter: SuzanStMaur
I have every respect for my competitors who have similar standards and values to mine, and we often pass work across to each other when a project comes in that needs a particular freelance writer’s specialisation.
What I do find irksome, though, is people who set themselves up as offering freelance writing or editing without having the training or skills required to do it to a high standard. Sometimes the writing element is bundled in with PR, email marketing, SEO and various other tools, almost as an accessory.
Still, clients tend to find out the hard way that cheap, cheerful words don’t work for them very well … and they then come to me and my competitors to get the job done properly.
So at this level, we freelance writing competitors can afford to be not only colleagues but also good friends!
Twitter: SuzanStMaur
I have every respect for my competitors who have similar standards and values to mine, and we often pass work across to each other when a project comes in that needs a particular freelance writer’s specialisation.
What I do find irksome, though, is people who set themselves up as offering freelance writing or editing without having the training or skills required to do it to a high standard. Sometimes the writing element is bundled in with PR, email marketing, SEO and various other tools, almost as an accessory.
Still, clients tend to find out the hard way that cheap, cheerful words don’t work for them very well … and they then come to me and my competitors to get the job done properly.
So at this level, we freelance writing competitors can afford to be not only colleagues but also good friends!
Twitter: SuzanStMaur