Nature versus nurture remains a pivotal question in human life. Often, observation and listening serve as catalysts for creation. In times when travel was unrestricted, people frequently drew inspiration from the lifestyles of different countries, adapting them to their own. Examples abound, ranging from dietary habits to sleep patterns.
Following the famous adage “nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed,” startups and companies alike have capitalized on this principle, often offering similar solutions. In highly competitive sectors, entrepreneurs have relentlessly innovated. But can we legitimately distinguish between pure creators and those who merely draw inspiration from others?
When we place the consumer, planet protection, and well-being at the core of our concerns—essentially, humanity and its environment—it’s evident that from existing solutions and products, we derive inspiration to offer a better world.
Technological evolution mirrors this trend, but caution is warranted to prevent profit-driven actions from destroying our heritage.
Leaders of Innovation
With increasing lawsuits for plagiarism and intellectual property infringement, digital companies face an intensely competitive market. Does this mean that creation no longer exists? While bold and creative entrepreneurs in the past introduced innovative products and services to consumers, many competitors have merely imitated them without bringing real innovation.
In fields like information technology, and with iconic figures like Microsoft or Apple’s founders, it’s challenging today to propose something genuinely new and creative. Innovation pioneers such as Intel in semiconductors, Toyota in electric vehicles, and Silicon Valley companies have demonstrated research and creativity. Research and development and the domain of new technologies are undeniable innovation drivers, with many companies now leveraging the latest technologies, especially in environmental matters, to offer innovative services and products.
Inspiration for Price Reduction
While Samsung, Google, or IBM are often cited as the most innovative brands, according to the annual ranking by the Boston Consulting Group, the share of companies from emerging countries is growing. Multinationals from Asia and India, like Xiaomi Technology, WhatsApp, Rakuten, or Square, are seeing significant progress in the ranking. While creativity is an undeniable quality of entrepreneurs, inspiration can also play a significant role in the business world. With increasing innovation expenses, industrialists hope to gain market share in increasingly competitive sectors. Thus, by offering products with similar technologies and quality, many companies provide lower costs to consumers.
Similarly, the hard discount and e-commerce sectors have innovated while offering the same products as major retailers. Platforms like Cdiscount, among others, have emerged by instituting shortened distribution channels, resulting in significant price reductions for consumers.
Imitation Isn’t Copying
The importance of competitive intelligence cannot be overstated for companies aiming to grow. Especially in marketing strategies, companies leverage information to monitor and analyze the competition. A source of novelty and innovation, as well as fierce competition, this technological vigilance remains indispensable for professionals to increase productivity. Copycats, or derivatives of already-developed concepts or ideas, gradually emerged as innovations were introduced by their competitors. Consequently, many entrepreneurs have successfully drawn inspiration from popular startups, such as Groupon becoming Citydeal, BlaBlaCar cloned by Tripda, or PriceMinister imitated by Half. These winning formulas benefit consumers with additional services and lower prices, offering a diversified selection conducive to choice.
