One of the 21st century values is transparency. We are open, share ideas and knowledge. That raises the question  as to whether we inspire each other to better performance or do we copy ideas?

As marketeers, we all visit workshops, listen carefully to each other, read a lot. With the exception of breakthrough innovative ideas, the rare white elephants, we inspire each other in all sorts of ways. Wait a minute, inspire? Or do we simply copy successful ideas from each other? I admit to having adapted some brilliant ideas from others. The question I asked myself was “Was I inspired by the person, his/her story or simply by the moment and the context of everything?” And secondly : “Who is the owner of ideas?”

First movers are sometimes very successful with a breakthrough innovation. At Voted Product of the Year, we see many product innovations that are true innovations, breakthrough and sometimes disruptive. Shortly after, countless new knockoff products, produced by competitors, appear on the market.

Is it smart copying or inspiration that drives this mechanism? If it is copy, does a copycat economy keep the wheels of the industry turning? I am curious to hear your thoughts on the topics.

Philippe Gelder, Worldwide President & CEO

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