Should copy cat business die out because they’re not original? Is is wrong? Is that a misconception?
Many people scoff at “copy paste” businesses like cupcakes or abaya shops claiming that they aren’t original and should go die. There seems to be a misconception that if the copy cat opens next to the original business they are doing something immoral or unethical. I would like to point out that the original owner didn’t invent the cupcake, nor the abaya and is a copycat to start with. And if they are wise, will innovate and crush the new competition.
“Everything is copied, and the best most innovative design endures (for the meantime at least till the next innovation).
Without copying, mankind would never be where it is today, and without innovation we wouldn’t have the luxury to get in our car (copied) which is air-conditioned (copied), listen to music (copied), and step out in our shoes (copied), and pay with money (copied). The list goes on: Everything is copied, and the best most innovative design endures (for the meantime at least till the next innovation).
Many primates thrive in their ecosystem because of certain techniques they’ve developed using innovative tools to eat or survive. Certain macaques (small monkeys) dig for sap and spread it on themselves to repel mosquitoes. Some chimp communities use sharpened sticks (spears) to catch Colobus monkeys on large hunting expeditions. Other smaller monkeys have learnt to use stones to crush nuts or oysters on an anvil. These intelligent primates learnt (from their ancestors) through observation how to solve a problem, and have improved the process gradually by innovating. We are no different.
“Innovation is a new idea, device or process. Innovation can be viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulated needs, or existing market needs” –Wikipedia. It basically means that you find a way to do something better. There is a sharp difference between innovation and invention, because invention refers to the creation of the new method or idea itself. An invention can be an innovation, but an innovation is not an invention. Dwell on that for a bit, sorry for the brain mangle.
“Many primates thrive in their ecosystem because of certain techniques they’ve developed using innovative tools to eat or survive.
Copy-cat competition is good for three reasons:
Competition is always healthy for the market, and will put the product at the best price/quality ratio based on supply and demand: Thus serving the consumer (and ultimately humanity) the most.
Companies in heavy competition are forced to innovate, thus giving many more options to the consumer and helping evolve the product to a better future.
If the factors are just right, all the competing companies can prosper and create their own reputation in that specific area (like Gold Souq in Bahrain, or hair transplant in Turkey, Silicon Valley in the United States, or even abaya road in Isa Town!)
We must innovate constantly and stay fresh, and those small improvements are really what matter in a business. Whether you design a better abaya, create a tastier sugar-free cupcake, or just paint your wall a better color any innovation that betters your business is one step in the right direction and what keeps it hip and competitive. The tricky part is finding out what the market needs, and being the first to provide it: And that’s the difference between a good business and an excellent business.
