Many new companies looking to compete in a given space choose to first copy basic competitor features to level the playing field. Only at this point do they integrate their own functionality and incorporate what they think the consumer will want. This tactic isn’t rare by any means, but it may bring about feature creep and maybe even an inferior overall offering.
Everyone seems to want a piece of the Internet. Everyone has a friend’s cousin’s neighbour who started an Internet company in their basement and now flies around the world in a private jet. The appeal is obvious. However, making it to that point is another story altogether.
Some start-ups choose to develop their products and services in stealth mode in order to avoid competitor attention and build hype leading up to the launch. Many believe this to be the best tactic, although I’m not yet convinced.
Last week, Microsoft unveiled plans to compensate search users with cash. This weak attempt to thwart Google isn’t going to work. If Microsoft truly wants to compete against Google, their strategy has to start with the search results.
Yesterday, the fate of Cambrian House was sealed. After raising over $7 million, the Canadian crowdsourcing firm shut its doors after an unsuccessful attempt at a new round of financing. So what gave? Was it a lack of focus or poor management? Or was the model doomed to fail in the first place?
Aidan Henry is an Internet strategy consultant, designer, and web entrepreneur.
aidanhenry (@) hotmail.com
