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Working together with 'competitor', yes or no?

by Social Guy
9 replies
Hello fellow Warriors,

First off, forgive me my spelling, I'm not native English speaking..

I'm running my business for the last couple of months and I already have more people working for me. 1 webdesigner, 1 copywriter and 1 photographer. I hire them on project basis, the designer is somebody I work with the most and if my business is keep going in this direction we can maybe start a business together. Okay, so far so good but...

last week I spoke to the owner of an 'oldschool' web/advertisement firm in my town. They create advertisements for newspapers, develop websites but not mobile and no social media (what we do). I hade a two hours meeting with him and next week we meet again. This first meeting was a 'getting to know each-other' moment. We are thinking about working together more closely because they do nothing with mobile and or social media.

With the term 'competitor' I actually do not mean it in that precise word because I think we can also benefit from each-other. I have good trust in the owner also but I know I have to look out that we are not targeting each-others clients etc.

Do you guys have any advice before I start working with a company that can be a competitor but can also be a good boost to my sales? Maybe some people where in the same boat I'm in right now and give me some advice.
#competitor #working
  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    Originally Posted by Social Guy View Post

    Do you guys have any advice before I start working with a company that can be a competitor but can also be a good boost to my sales? Maybe some people where in the same boat I'm in right now and give me some advice.
    A non compete agreement, or a non compete clause in the terms of your contract.

    Just be aware, they offer the same protection as a house lock ... they only keep the honest people out.

    Another words if the guy is honest, it is an easy, concise way of establishing boundaries.

    if the guy isn't honest, it wont protect you from squat.

    But, it might make both of you more comfortable working with each other.

    PS, your English is pretty good, actually its way better then a lot of people who post in here,
    so no need to apologize.
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  • Profile picture of the author CyborgX
    There goes a telling ' keep your friends close and enemies closer'. If you can't cope with your competitors, you can work with them. But don't be too flexible. Hold on to your place tight.
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    • Profile picture of the author Devid1
      Originally Posted by CyborgX View Post

      There goes a telling ' keep your friends close and enemies closer'. If you can't cope with your competitors, you can work with them. But don't be too flexible. Hold on to your place tight.
      Thats right,if not you will loose your position.
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  • Profile picture of the author EnzoBlaque
    Originally Posted by Social Guy View Post

    Hello fellow Warriors,

    First off, forgive me my spelling, I'm not native English speaking..

    I'm running my business for the last couple of months and I already have more people working for me. 1 webdesigner, 1 copywriter and 1 photographer. I hire them on project basis, the designer is somebody I work with the most and if my business is keep going in this direction we can maybe start a business together. Okay, so far so good but...

    last week I spoke to the owner of an 'oldschool' web/advertisement firm in my town. They create advertisements for newspapers, develop websites but not mobile and no social media (what we do). I hade a two hours meeting with him and next week we meet again. This first meeting was a 'getting to know each-other' moment. We are thinking about working together more closely because they do nothing with mobile and or social media.

    With the term 'competitor' I actually do not mean it in that precise word because I think we can also benefit from each-other. I have good trust in the owner also but I know I have to look out that we are not targeting each-others clients etc.

    Do you guys have any advice before I start working with a company that can be a competitor but can also be a good boost to my sales? Maybe some people where in the same boat I'm in right now and give me some advice.
    Well this firm isn't a competitor. Like you said, you offer a service which they don't and furthermore, they are considering hiring you to implement this service.

    Unless you'll be signing a contract that stipulates that you must not serve the same clients, you have nothing to worry about here. In fact, apart from the valuable experience you'll be gaining, you also stand to gain a few more clients through this relationship.

    The more partners you have in this industry, the better your company will perform. So go ahead, and don't have any reservations.
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  • Profile picture of the author globalpro
    Ken summed it up, but my suggestion is to maintain a level of excellence, and visibility, to what you do. In other words, you do it better and people know it's you.

    By doing this, the worst that happens is the other person tries to compete, and if they don't measure up, then you still end up with clients.

    A partnership is one thing, but do what you do for your sake.

    Thanks,

    John

    PS and your English, at least in your post, is just fine.
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    • Profile picture of the author Social Guy
      Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

      A non compete agreement, or a non compete clause in the terms of your contract.

      Just be aware, they offer the same protection as a house lock ... they only keep the honest people out.

      Another words if the guy is honest, it is an easy, concise way of establishing boundaries.

      if the guy isn't honest, it wont protect you from squat.

      But, it might make both of you more comfortable working with each other.

      PS, your English is pretty good, actually its way better then a lot of people who post in here,
      so no need to apologize.
      Thanks, I think we will get something on paper indeed. (we talked about that in our first conversation but that meeting was just 'get to know' each-other and find a 'click')

      Originally Posted by CyborgX View Post

      There goes a telling ' keep your friends close and enemies closer'. If you can't cope with your competitors, you can work with them. But don't be too flexible. Hold on to your place tight.
      Good point! In the future I will be offering more ways for people to present themselves on the www (like company video on youtube etc.). Now I focus on mobile and social first and those things are not sold by them.

      Originally Posted by EnzoBlaque View Post

      Well this firm isn't a competitor. Like you said, you offer a service which they don't and furthermore, they are considering hiring you to implement this service.

      Unless you'll be signing a contract that stipulates that you must not serve the same clients, you have nothing to worry about here. In fact, apart from the valuable experience you'll be gaining, you also stand to gain a few more clients through this relationship.

      The more partners you have in this industry, the better your company will perform. So go ahead, and don't have any reservations.
      Thanks, that will be my strategie for sure!

      Originally Posted by globalpro View Post

      Ken summed it up, but my suggestion is to maintain a level of excellence, and visibility, to what you do. In other words, you do it better and people know it's you.

      By doing this, the worst that happens is the other person tries to compete, and if they don't measure up, then you still end up with clients.

      A partnership is one thing, but do what you do for your sake.

      Thanks,

      John

      PS and your English, at least in your post, is just fine.
      Also thank you! I agree, I'm not afraid that competition copy's the things I'm getting into the market. I have my 'story'/'package' to sell and I'm doing that with lot's of entusiasm and with personality that people like (the last couple of months that is )

      I think al of your posts tell me the same thing that I already feel so thank you for your time and clearing my head!
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  • Profile picture of the author Bayo
    Work together. Together you're a much bigger force to reckon with and partnerships and relationships is what this business is about.

    Worst case it doesn't work out and you both part ways.

    Best case you quadruple your output, your reach and your revenu.

    Do it.

    Bayo
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  • Profile picture of the author dinoseo
    Hi,

    Yes of course you can work with your competitor's because generally you can share your ideas with each other.

    It helps to increase your sales strategies.

    Regards,
    dennis
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  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    you know, he's probably got exactly the same 'fears' as you .

    No matter, you dont work him, you share client bases, he introduces and recomends you to his clients and vice versa , you dont have to share work as such, just databases , he never needs toreally understand what you do, just see that his clients are happy with the results you're getting for them, this makes him look great in their eyes for introducing you to them, strengthening his relationship with them, and of course vice versa for your clients.

    We do this with a lot of 'competitors' , everyone knows we are a different company, all they care is that we deliver, and we do, and of course these are more profitable clients as theyve cost zero to acquire and being introduced are usually less price resistant (though bit of advice, check the competitors prices to see they are in line with yours ie theyre not passing over a load of price sensitive whingy tosspots to you while youre passing over quality clientelle .
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    Mike

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