Egads no. Competitors are like ballet dancers -- I understand in an intellectual sense that they exist, but spend very little time thinking about them.
We have 3 or 4 main competitors.<p>Of one, I have much respect. They act like a real company (they are the only vc-backed co. among us), are pleasant when we chat, and we even send referrals to one-another when a potential client isn't a "good fit".<p>Of another, I feel a mix of anger and indifference. They are a horribly run company and I honestly marvel at the fact they have not imploded yet. Anger because they treat their customers so poorly (numerous BBB complaints and forum/Twitter rants).<p>Of another, confusion and mistrust. This (more recent) competitor was once a known name working in the industry who then moved on to the workshop circuit and eventually selling competing software/services. While we've had a decent relationship in the past and he positions himself as a Christian & a helper in the industry, he's also very careless with his mouth(IMO). He'll jump at any opportunity to publish disparaging things about competitors, including blatant non-truths.<p>I know the startup thing to do is not focus on competitors and worry about your products ... which we do ... but at the same I don't ignore them. And I'm definitely not the type to sit by and do nothing if a competitor is going to play dirty. I won't drop to their level but I will defend/reply and make sure they look like a fool.<p>Needless to say, ours is a weird industry.
I like this quote from Milan Kundera: "Hate traps us by binding us too tightly to our adversary" If you feel too strongly about your competition, you'll lose all perspective and get defensive and will tend to copy them.
We decided to invite the competition over to have a few beers with us. Now we use the relationship with them to fuel our own competitive streak and to enhance team cohesion. Just so as long you keep focusing on your own customers, and solving problems your own way, it works.
On a lot of things I've worked on competitors were a great thing - you can see their mistakes and correct them ahead of time.<p>But when you first discover a new one who's doing a better job its always a downer. Founders can get really depressed when a better-funded competitor comes out of stealth one day. The lowest lows I've experienced on startup projects routinely stem from the first 24hrs after we've discovered a new competitor. Especially when the CEO gets spooked there can be crazy emails, spec changes, scared/angry all-hands meetings etc.
Now, I am in no liberty to answer this, so I will paraphrase what a local record company owner has said.<p>"Years ago, I used to watch competitors go down and celebrate. Now, they're dropping like flies, and we all need to fight to stay open"<p>Now, his situations pretty specific, but I think what he's saying is that without competition, you are left alone and vulnerable.Competition is healthy and necessary, so you shouldn't hate them. You should even help them if they're in trouble.
I dont hate my competitors, without them it'd be like running a race all alone. You dont know if your running too fast or too slow cause you have nobody to compare yourself to, its just you running down the track by your lonesome.
I like my competitors. I don't think about them much (weird, and potentially dangerous, I know), and I would never link to them, but I do respect them.<p>I'm currently looking for a blue ocean strategy that will erase any competition, but regardless, I hope we all eat well.