New Metaphors for CompetitionAli Anani, PhD

I dedicate this presentation toAbdi Osman Jama

Abdi has inspired and triggered many ideas withhis concise commentsand solid feedback.

Plants compete forObscuring resources

Water

LightNutrients

Air

Businesses Compete for

Customers

Talents

Raw Materials

New Markets

Competition is a commonthread

Avoidance Strategy

Herbivores specializeby eating different plants or different parts of the same plants.

So, businessesmay target different customers

A pack of hyenas can attack and kill a large herbivore. A single hyena could not engage in with a large prey individually

Or, Adopt Grouping Strategy

A pack of small businesses may group to attack and kill a large “businvore”. A single business could not do it on its own.

Or, Adopt Grouping Strategy

To avoid competition with their offspring, plants use animals, wind and other mechanisms to disperse their seeds or spores away from the parent plants

Spread Out Strategy

Businesses spread out in other countries and within the same country (such as increasing bank branching)

Spread Out Strategy

Eclipsing Strategy

Universal adaptive strategy theory (UAST)

Regeneration

MaintenanceGrowth

Universal adaptive strategy theory (UAST)is an evolutionary theory is based on the trade-off that organisms face when the resources they gain from the environment are allocated between.

Resource Bifurcation

Universal Business adaptive strategy theory (UBAST)

Regeneration

MaintenanceGrowth

Universal adaptive strategy theory (UAST)is an evolutionary theory is based on the trade-off that business face when the resources they haveare allocated between.

Resource Bifurcation

Universal Business adaptive strategy theory (UBAST)

Increasebusinessgrowth

Inhibit Growthof others

Grow Independently

MutualismGrowth

Resource Bifurcation

MutualismGrowth

Mutualism is defined as an interaction "between two species or individuals that is beneficial to both". Mutual beneficial relationship between plants and fungi, known as mycorrhizae serves as a great example. The plant is assisted with nutrient uptake, while the fungus receives carbohydrates.

MutualismGrowth

Mutualism in business is profitable. One example is developing software for windows and developing windows to host more-demanding software

When a plant detects competition from neighboring plants, it initiates a set of responses

InhibitGrowthof others

Growth

Some plants elongate and grow toward the sun to obscure neighboring plants from sunlight.

InhibitGrowthof others

Growth

Denying resources of survival have been used by businesses

InhibitGrowthof others

Growth

Minnetonka liquid-soap-in-a-pump idea was protected by denying competitors supplies of pumps

InhibitGrowthof others

Growth

The company signed a one-year contract to buy all the production capacity of the two main producers of pumps

InhibitGrowthof others

Growth

Chemical warfare among neighboring plants

Some plants release toxins into soil to reduce growth or kill adjacent plants

InhibitGrowthof others

Growth

Chemical warfare among businessesSome businesses spread toxic rumors that their competitors’ products have serious side effects as men losing their fertility should they use a certain product.

InhibitGrowthof others

Growth

Mature “nurse” plant may facilitate germination, establishment, growth of juvenile plant of a different growth form

Increasebusinessgrowth

Growth

Business may find creative ideas to promote other businesses so that may feedback on the growth of their own business.

Increasebusinessgrowth

Growth

Example, selling raw material to a chocolate factory. Improve the package, sales of chocolate go up and so selling of raw materials increase.

Increasebusinessgrowth

Growth

Some plants, like cactus, where water is scarce do not grow very close together

Increasebusinessgrowth

Growth

Businesses tend sometimes to crowd in each other in areas with limited income. Better if they relocate.

Increasebusinessgrowth

Growth

Competition in plants serves as a greatmetaphor for handlingbusiness competitionHedging Strategy Eclipsing Strategy Mutualism Strategy Cutting-off Supplies Strategy

Are examples of possibilities.