Geek is the New Chic
Here’s the thing about companies–they want to make money. Of course they do. So do you. So do I. So does everyone! In order to make money, though, companies want to find sure-bets. They don’t want to bet a giant chunk of capital on the success of a new, untested product or technology. They want to invest in products that have proven successful already, and this is where they falter.
Unoriginality is Unoriginal.
The copycat trend is certainly nothing new, but how often do copycats achieve the same success as the originals? Rarely, if ever. Companies that can’t come up with fresh ideas and innovations are doomed to play second fiddle to more original companies forever.
Consider Apple. Even though Apple has not necessarily come up with anything new, their innovations have become popular beyond all expectations. The iPod, for example, wasn’t the first portable digital music device, but it was far better than the other options at the time. Ever since the iPod’s popularity skyrocketed, other companies have sought to copycat the iPod in various ways, with limited success. Most notably, the Microsoft Zune has incorporated iPod touches from aesthetics to user interface, and yet it still couldn’t capture enough of the market to be viable. As of this year, Microsoft will no longer put out any new Zune hardware, choosing instead to focus on the Windows phone (a much more original idea).
To Follow the Trends or Not?
Trends are transient. Style is subjective. You can never be sure that copying someone else’s path to success will lead you to the same place. There are only two things in this world that do not become obsolete over time:
1. Hard Work
2. See #1
The best thing you can do for your company is break the cycle. Stop repeating what’s already been done by a million companies before you–even if it is somewhat lucrative. Think outside of the box, come up with an original idea or two, and soon other companies will be copycatting you!