Tip #17 - Read Your Competitor’s Website
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008QUICK! Right now, before you read any further. . . make a list of the key competitors for your company? Your service? Your product? Your industry?
When is the last time you looked at THEIR website? If it has been more than a couple of weeks, chances are you are missing something. You can bet your customers are reading your competitor’s website. What do THEY know that you don’t know?
Here are some thing to look for as you read your competitor’s website:
- What new products or services are they providing?
- What are they giving up on?
- What is their Mission Statement? How does it relate to your company’s Mission Statement?
- How do they differentiate themselves from you (and the rest of your competitors)?
- Is this a competitive advantage for them? Is it something your company could or would emulate?
- Who in the competitor’s company hold the position YOU hold in your company? Do you know them personally? (. . . .something about “keeping your friends close and your enemies. . . .”)
- Can you tell from your competitor’s website where your industry is heading? (Can they tell from yours?)
- What positions are open at their company? (Anything interesting to YOU? Hmmm — “window shopping?”)
We recommend that you read the website of your competitor and then let your boss know what you have found. Offer to be on a team at your company that will address the issues and opportunities raised by this little exercise. Even if they don’t take you up on your offer, it WILL help improve your career!
