Sleeping with the enemy–or coopetition?
Posted By susanharrow on April 26, 2006
Wal-Mart’s new program to help competitors compete against them at first seems counterintuitive, and it may well be. Wal-Mart is famous for moving into a neighborhood and displacing (that’s a fancy word for putting someone out of business) local stores and businesses. According to Michael Barbaro of The New York Times “The giant discount retailer, under assault as never before by critics, announced a wide-ranging effort today to support small business near its new urban stores, including the hardware stores, dress shops and bakeries with which it competes. Under the program, Wal-Mart will offer those businesses financial grants, training on how to survive with Wal-Mart in town and even free advertising within a Wal-Mart store.”
What if leaders in every field held seminars for their competition? Isn’t this a great way of controlling your image and your press? You get to deliver what you want your competitors to know, even partner with them to help them–and of course, you. Your name would be everywhere.
Great idea or scam? You tell me.
Comments
One Response to “Sleeping with the enemy–or coopetition?”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
Great blog. I am going to mention in it mine today.
GL