Coming in Second: When Being a ‘Fast Follower’ Is the Best Strategy
An accepted wisdom in business is that being first-to-market with a product, service or a new wrinkle on an old idea is the optimal strategy. Intuitively, this makes sense—a new market is there for the taking. The early mover can capitalize on its inventiveness, win brand loyalty and fend off the copycats that follow. Now comes a series of provocative books declaring that being an early mover is fraught with danger, that the risk of failure for a first-to-market company is much higher than for the pack in pursuit.