Haters & Competitors Make Great Teachers
Most people try to avoid conflict. Consequently, they tend to steer clear of adversaries, haters, detractors and competitors. But is that wise? While some of your opponents are just mean and petty, others are also very insightful and shrewd. Still others are actually high performers who see you as a potential threat. Either way, your enemies will help you clarify your greatest weaknesses and opportunities. I want you to redefine your relationship to challenging people by answering these three questions:
- What can adversaries and competitors tell me about my work and my performance?
- How do I keep track of my opponents and stay aware of their activities?
- How can I find out what my competitors are doing online and in real time?
Imagine...
Imagine there's a brother named Jim who is the Team Lead in the Corporate Office. The Company just announced a couple of Management opportunities so he's checking out the competitors. Jim naturally looks at other Team Leads in the Office and sees what types of performance they're doing, if they have any hot projects, and who is part of their networks. Now Jim has all the intel he needs to stay competitive and thriving... or does he? Actually, Jim could have done a bit more competitive research.
For example, he only looked at his direct competitors, the other Team Leads in the Office. But he doesn't know anything about his indirect competitors - the applicants who aren't Team Leads, but are still either competitors or influential opponents.
For example, he only looked at his direct competitors, the other Team Leads in the Office. But he doesn't know anything about his indirect competitors - the applicants who aren't Team Leads, but are still either competitors or influential opponents.
Jim's direct competitors are other Team Leads in his department. His indirect competitors may come from different departments but are still part of the wider applicant pool.
Knowing your competitors, whether direct or indirect, is just one part of doing thorough competitive research.
It can be hard work, but it's worth it because competitive research can tell you a lot more than just what the competition in your immediate vicinity is doing.
It can give you insights into your positioning, showing you how your performance uniquely fits into your organization relative to your competitors.
Competitive research can also help you see where your competitors have succeeded or failed in building a support base, which can guide and influence your own efforts. And you can spot organizational trends, like new customer preferences and new service categories.
Competitive research can even help you make educated predictions about your industry's future. These predictions, along with your industry's history, can help you make informed decisions about the direction of your marketing.
Getting organized is the first step in competitive research - so a detailed spreadsheet can be your best friend during this process. Let's see what Jim put together.
Knowing your competitors, whether direct or indirect, is just one part of doing thorough competitive research.
It can be hard work, but it's worth it because competitive research can tell you a lot more than just what the competition in your immediate vicinity is doing.
It can give you insights into your positioning, showing you how your performance uniquely fits into your organization relative to your competitors.
Competitive research can also help you see where your competitors have succeeded or failed in building a support base, which can guide and influence your own efforts. And you can spot organizational trends, like new customer preferences and new service categories.
Competitive research can even help you make educated predictions about your industry's future. These predictions, along with your industry's history, can help you make informed decisions about the direction of your marketing.
Getting organized is the first step in competitive research - so a detailed spreadsheet can be your best friend during this process. Let's see what Jim put together.