I think that business can easily be thought of in the same way as a military campaign. Your competitors will take the opportunity (have no hesitation) in using your ideas or attacking your customers. If they can most will not hesitate to crush you!
Another tactic that I have personally encountered is when our competitor tried and succeeded in poaching 2 of my staff. Eventually I managed to get one back primarily because she didn’t like her new boss. I was actually glad that they poached the other one who was a good talker but had very poor work ethics!
I have seen friends trample over close friends all for the sake of a “fistful of dollars” (sorry pounds) – on a side note the pound is still holding above $2 USD at the time of writing.
I believe that most businesses will have to operate using military tactics if they are to be successful. They must use intelligence to find out everything about their competitor. They must keep one step ahead. They must move forward only when they are sure of holding their new position. They must fully equip their troops for the battles ahead.
In this economic climate where the big boys are...