Changing of the Tide: Cooperation In, Competition Out

Growing up, I was always taught to do my best.  Although I did not handle losing very well, I loved to compete in just about anything.  As I grew older, I learned that I had to work harder and smarter than the next man if I wanted to get ahead in life.  It was a constant competition.  Now, however, I realize that times have changed.  In this day and age, getting ahead is all about cooperation, and nothing about competition.

The world has opened up itself to us.  In the last 10 years, China has become a major market and world trade has become more lucrative than ever.  With the internet especially, you never know where your market will come from.  I have a friend who is a big hit with his website in a small section of Canada.  He has never been there, nor does he look or sound Canadian.  But for some reason, he appeals to them.

The point is, in this vast market on the web, the opportunities are endless.  There are plenty of customers for everyone.  Therefore, your goal is not to compete with people in your market, but rather to cooperate with them.  Networking with each other gives people in the same market opportunities to see both sites.  You both gain a market share by working together.

This works in the real world too.  Speaking and befriending your enemies is not just a tactical ploy for gangsters.  It works in real life as well.  Except, of course, the part where they throw the competition in the ocean with a new pair of shoes (at least most of us).  Passing knowledge and learning from one another is a great way to move forward.  This helps both businesses out as well.

Try to put into the past the thought of being better than everyone else. You never know what could happen.  For instance, when I had my mortgage company, I befriended another broker in NJ.  This guy did business just as I do, and I liked his honest style.  I learned a lot from him, and even though I never made a dollar off of him, I allowed him to operate in my office.  In turn, he fed me some business for Reimagine and lifelong tips.

Now, I am out of the mortgage game.  He is still doing well.  Every time I get a call from a past client, I give the business to him.  So, I still get to see a small income from mortgages, and he gets free deals to work on without having to develop a relationship with the client from scratch.  It is a win-win for both of us, and keeps the clients in good hands as well.  If I would have shunned him as my competition, this opportunity would not be present.

Being the best is a race against yourself.  Not anyone else.  In order to excel in life, work together with people involved in the same challenges you are.  Help them learn, and in turn, they will help you learn.  Remember that you are cooperating with these people to help yourself, not anyone else.  You may be helping them as well, but that is a benefit, not a harm.

Through cooperation, you will not only be successful, you will be well respected among your peers.  This alone, will create an endless avenue of opportunity.  Who better for a young entrepreneur to go to with a new venture than the successful, well known business man?

Cooperating with your competition will help you…

1. Stay on top of your market.
2. Pick up unique business strategies.
3. Gain new resources.
4. Spark ideas by brainstorming with the competition.
5. Open up new opportunities.

I don’t see how closing the doors to these 5 possibilities is a positive thing.  In fact, it is completely negative.  In this day and age, cooperating with the competition is a necessary way to survive.  Information changes at rapid speeds, along with the technology.  No longer are markets seemingly safe forever.  In fact, in this rapidly progressing world, movement is the only way to empower your business.  Information is the only way to pick the proper movements.  And cooperating with as many people in your market as possible is the best way to gain the right information.

One hand washes the other.  I’ve definitely heard that before.  Maybe this strategy is not so new after all.  I guess it is just making a comeback.