Ever think you had a unique idea...

Heisenberg.

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Cringer

It's competition.

if there were none, then there'd only be one supermarket, one brand of car, one type of mobile phone, one type of ...fill in the blanks.


I remember seeing this site and thought it was a unique concept, but really only one of a kind. There's been copycats but they are in no way as popular as this site.
However, if your idea is not a fad then go for it. jump on while he's doing all the hard work, and if you make some money from it, the more the better.

have you tried contacting him to see if he'd be interested in working with you on a nIrish version of whatever it is?

I'm surprised you are shocked. The quicker you can learn to deal with the fact that there is competition the better. Unless your idea was some type of scientific cure or some breakthrough in technology, I'm not at all surprised.

In one of the entrepreneurial books that I have, (can't remember which one) there is a quote that basically sums it up "You could create a cordless toaster that runs on nothing but fresh air and can butter and put jam on your toast and serve you coffee at the same time and someone around the corner is marketing something similar."

Heisenberg.

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pocketdooz

The Scientist wrote: »

...research it for a ages, only to discover some poxy London Student has been doing it successfully for 2 years already! :mad:
I nearly got sick in my mouth when i discovered his website today.

The good news is that he's Irish Operation hasn't taken off at all yet, while it seems to be coming along nicely in the UK.

The bad news is that if when mine becomes an Irish phenomenon then they'll credit it to this hippie.

I'm a sad Panda. That is all.

Scientist . . .

Not as bad as me mate - in my last year of college I came up with a business plan, developed the idea and represented UCD in the Enterprise Ireland Entrepreneur Awards. I then went to get funding but couldn't, tried to patent it but it's not possible to patent a new way of doing business in the EU (only in the US) and went to anyone I knew with money to try and back me but I was a 20 year old guy with no backing so they didn't.

Two years later it was on the market, backed by one of the big Irish banks and advertised everywhere and expanding into Europe. It took off big time - I'm convinced someone grading the Enterprise Ireland competition took the idea (there were many judges etc)

I couldnt do anything about it (looked into it legally and I had no case) and just had to take it on the chin.

The company turns over millions now and is everywhere.
So, mate, no matter how bad you think this is - it's not nearly as bad as mine was. At least it's not here in Ireland yet and advertised on billboards in town, in the papers and on the sides of buses

Get your act together now and get it done or you'll be kicking yourself forever . . .

byrne0f56789

Competition is good. He saved you the problem of doing market research in the UK. At least you know there is a market for your product over there. Now get over there and muscle him out of it!

Remember it's all about marketing and perception. How many car manufacturers are there? how many banks are there? how many sports clothing companies are there? the list goes on.

blue4ever

The Scientist wrote: »

Good points.
Although i realised i would have competition and knew there were some Irish Variations but this guy in the UK almost has what i had in mind down to a Tee. His domain name is better than mine and he even won an award for Innovation last year! Grr.

I guess this is what could finally get my ass into gear and get me going though. Only a matter of time before it reaches our shores.. (i think).



No Ted, that sort of thing wouldn't interest me at all.

I had a 'unique' concept! Then found someone abroad with the same idea – but he had done a lot of work web wise on the idea –it linked to mobile/wet etc.

So I approached him, went abroad to meet him - got it off the ground – and it was an unmitigated disaster.

Whilst I thought ‘J.V.' he was thinking 'reseller' -

One bitten – twice as mad!

Heisenberg.

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Mr Clonfadda

The Scientist wrote: »

There's a few Companies in Ireland doing it but their websites are terrible and empty of customers.

Seeing this UK website today has lit a fire in me. He's doing it right, the way it should be done, and has a lot of customers.
Gonna try get pen to paper in the next week or two.

When i started my business there was nothing unique about my business, i had competitors close by but i felt they were not doing it properly and i could. Within six months i was outselling those nearest competitors.

Go for it and never forget to always consider what your customers is looking for.