Competitiveness
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Competitiveness is derived from the word compete. To compete means to strive for the same object, position, or reward that another person is striving for.
Competitiveness refers to the skill or ability to contend with rivals for the same objective or prize. Competiveness does not necessarily mean an ability to beat all your rivals but rather, your thirst and willingness to be involved in competition; to staying in competition and not be booted out or totally outclassed.
Businesses compete among themselves for the best workers, raw materials, customers etc. Similarly, workers and job seekers compete for limited job opportunities and positions. They all try to use various means to stay competitive to retain or gain employment.
Competitiveness comes as a natural skill for some people. They are born with a natural passion to competitive and be the best. However, others develop this skill as they mature.
Importance of competitiveness
A healthy competition is good for personal development as well as organizational performance. Are there benefits for individuals who are competitive? Of course, there are lots of them. Some are:
- Competitiveness, a driving factor that makes people work very hard, fosters personal development. Since such people are unwilling to be left out of competition, they have that inner drive to study more, work harder, and always improve on what they know or what they have.
- The top paying jobs are highly competitive. It takes people who possess competitiveness to attain such heights. Once you are there, you still need to be competitive to maintain that level. People who lack competitiveness are those who settle for menial jobs.
- That passion for finding out and trying new ways to beat competitors results in high creativity and innovative skills.
- It eliminates complacency and helps you explore the best in you.
How to improve on competitiveness
It’s necessary to develop this skill. Here are some tips that will help:
- Focus more on consumers’ wants. Satisfying customers is the most important aspect of our work. As an employee, your employers serve as your customers – they patronize your services. Be sure of what their exact demands are and remain committed to meeting those demands. If you own a business, you already know who you consumers are. Make sure the services or goods you provide are up to your consumers’ standards.
- Spread your tentacles. Acquire a diversity of skills. Study a little form various fields so that you have a fair knowledge on a variety of jobs. You can do this by taking short professional courses in other fields in addition to your degree.
- Develop a core competence. Acquiring so many skills or certificates without mastering one field or skill can make you a jack of all trades, master of none. Develop a core competence – master one or two specific skills in a particular area of specialization till you become impossible to be ignored in that field.
- Develop a competitor’s mindset. Your ability to remain competitive depends on a prepared mindset. Perceive yourself as a warrior who never gives up until all enemies are conquered. Build an I can do it better mentality and always work hard to prove that fact.
- Be purposeful. Every person who possesses the genuine competitiveness is a goal setter. Once an objective is achieved, they set another. When earlier knowledge and skills become obsolete, competitive professionals are least worried because they possess modern skills and qualifications as well to keep the moving.