Strategic Advantage and AI: Why Independent Thinking Beats the Hype: Weekly Winning Strategies

AI and other new technologies aren’t a cult. You don’t have to follow them blindly. Don’t just take what you’re told at face value. Received wisdom is often the laziest form of insight. It’s just what’s been accepted as “right” because everyone else thinks so. But that doesn’t mean it’s right for you and your business, market, or strategy today. It’s your strategic advantage and AI.

Stop and ask: Really? Why? What if?

This is vital in a world of algorithm-driven social media platforms. These platforms push curated narratives on what to think and how the market moves. Are you taking your competitive cues from the same channels as everyone else? Then, you are not thinking independently.

You’re letting bias dictate your next move.

Take AI as an example. It’s undeniably transformative, yes. But don’t fall into the trap of blindly following the trend. Just because someone completed a 5-hour crash course on AI and declared themselves an “expert” doesn’t mean you have to listen to what they think about AI. Or anything else, actually. You need to take all their perspectives at face value. What happened to those NFT experts? Bet most of them are not sunning themselves on their private yachts.

AI wasn’t born yesterday—it’s been evolving for decades. The recent breakthroughs are part of a larger trend, not the entire story.

Stay sceptical. Free thinking is your greatest asset in competitor analysis. Question the hype, dig into the data, and approach with an open but critical mind.

When it comes to AI and these other so-called “game-changing” technologies, there’s a danger in following the crowd. There is, of course, the danger of dismissing technology because you don’t like what it represents. When the steam train came along, there were protests about how dangerous it was and that it was the devil’s work. In reality, it was about people losing their livelihoods, having to change, and not wanting to. So, don’t dismiss technology, either.

But remember, bandwagon thinking creates a false sense of security. Everyone assumes that a business will stay competitive if it adopts the latest tech or strategy. But here’s the reality—if everyone is following the same script, no one is gaining an edge. Your strategic advantage.

The worst competitor analysis mistake is taking what’s popular as gospel. Received insights are often outdated or skewed, especially from the loudest voices. Just because the market is buzzing about AI doesn’t mean it’s right for your business in its current form. What works for your competitor’s strategy might fall flat for yours.

Question everything
Ask yourself: Is AI truly solving my problem? What’s the opportunity cost of rushing in? How does this fit into my long-term strategy? What’s the angle no one is talking about?

The danger in today’s marketplace isn’t missing out on the latest tech trend. It’s following it blindly, without understanding the nuances. Social media and algorithms push a curated reality that may not reflect reality. Reality about what your competitors are doing now and next and what the market is going to do next.

Take AI hype with a pinch of salt. Sure, it’s been making massive strides, but remember, AI isn’t new. It’s been quietly developing in the background for years. The explosion you see now is a step change, not the starting line. You’re already behind if you’re only jumping on board now because the noise has reached a fever pitch.

AI generates its own data
As Ben Gilad tells us, true intelligence lies in making sense of the overwhelming noise. While impressive, AI also adds an avalanche of data—relevant and irrelevant alike. As AI generates its own data, it’s possible its relevance may diminish.

The core issue in any business and market is strategic uncertainty. And yes, AI struggles with ambiguity and unpredictability. AI can drive efficiencies, but it’s not reinventing strategy.

The secret to smart competitor analysis? Don’t just track what’s popular; track what’s essential to your market positioning. To see what others don’t and sell those insights to the decision-makers—not just distribute data.

Competitive intelligence isn’t about gathering information; it’s about applying it strategically. Stay sceptical. When everyone is looking left, ask why and look right. Free thinking and questioning assumptions are your competitive advantage.

AI and other groundbreaking technologies aren’t some cult you must blindly buy into. Don’t just take what you’re told at face value. Received wisdom is often the laziest form of insight—it’s just what’s been accepted as “right” because everyone else thinks so.

But that doesn’t mean it’s right for your business, market, or strategy today. Stop and ask: Really? Why? What if? This is especially crucial in a world dominated by algorithm-driven platforms that push curated narratives about what to think and how the market moves.

If you’re taking your competitive cues from the same social media channels everyone else is, you’re not thinking independently. And you have no strategic advantage.