Don't try to be "The Next"
I always cringe when I read or hear entrepreneurs describe their business as "the next" [insert name of dominant company in their industry here]. Why? Because it is a strategy for failure. Regardless of the practical fact that the leader in your industry can outspend and out-resource your tiny venture in the race for a slight improvement to existing technology; the real problem is that it's uninspired thinking. As a startup you need a core belief that you are changing the world in some positive way, and you need people on your team who see it and believe it. Shooting for the status quo (or slightly better) is a tough sell and motivator for employees who are expected to give their blood for a long-shot start up. It is far more motivating to be doing something truly novel and innovative; and it gives you more leeway from the big boys in your industry who may or may not be on the ball enough to know what you're up to. Being "the next" is limiting, short-sighted and doomed to failure.
So to all the entrepreneurs out there, stop trying to be "the next". We, your customers, employees, investors, the world, need you to be different, innovative, remarkable and "the first" at whatever it is you plan on being.
