Seth Godin recently wrote that:
Encyclopedia salesmen hate wikipedia…
And CNET hates Google
And newspapers hate Craigslist
And music labels hate Napster
And used bookstores hate Amazon
And so do independent bookstores.
Which got me thinking. If you’re currently evaluating a new business opportunity have you considered who will hate you? Who hates you might just make the difference between success and spectacular success.
For example:
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Would Linux be so popular if Microsoft didn’t hate it?
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Would Eminem be so popular with kids if their parents didn’t hate it?
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Would the Sex Pistols have been so popular if they weren’t hated by the establishment?
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Would the Vigin Atlantic have done so well if British Airways didn’t hate them?
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Would the cheap airlines have done so well if the flagship carriers didn’t hate them?
So who will hate/hates your business and how are you turning it to your advantage?
This blog is about business opportunities and ideas that I spot, think of or hear about and think are useful and interesting. It is intended to provide ideas and inspriation for you to help you find the right business idea for you to then grow it into a successful business.
Strong Marketing = Rebel with a Cause. Very neat. = )
Good points, here, Seth. I’ll be turning in for more as I am in the midst of “business planning” myself. And I guess I shouldn’t be worried about who “I” offend, huh?
@Shama,
It works well, another example is the success of Anita Roddick and The Body Shop.
@Bev,
My name is John, if you want Seth’s blog you’ll have to click on the link (his name).
Brilliant, I thought you were going to go the other way and say do not start a business if everyone hates you. I can relate to that.
Isn’t this cause and effect the wrong way around.
Book stores hate Amazon because they are taking away their market while at the same time there must be the astonishment that you can get virtually any book within a few days.
But I can see an element of “my enemies, enemy is my friend”. That could be a great way for finding alliance partners although the danger is that two six stone weaklings are never going to defeat a 6 ft six, 18 stone muscle man.
Paul,
You’re not a believer in the moral of the story of David and Goliath then?
Interesting spin on business planning and strategy. I guess if you know who hates you, then you can plan to counteract that fact.
Thanks, Jason M. Blumer