In our industry—and many others—we're told we need to compete to survive.  We've been raised on stories of rivalries, winners and losers, and the idea that business is a dog-eat-dog world.  Whether it's the ugliest dog contest or the crying baby showdown, humans love a good competition.  But what if I told you the most powerful strategy isn't to beat your competition, it's to love them?

Sounds counterintuitive, right?  But when I stepped back from the idea of "competing," I began to see something radically different—and better—not just for my business, but for the clients I serve.

Why Competition Isn't Always Healthy

Let's talk about what happens when you make competition your business strategy.  You tend to look sideways instead of forward.  You match other providers' pricing, mirror their services, and try to edge them out by being slightly better—or marginally cheaper.

The result?  Clustering.

Everyone looks the same, offers the same, and charges the same.  And when that happen...