If there is one thing that is quite disturbing about Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (herein referred to as MSMEs) is the rate of the "copy and paste" mentality.

It is also called the "me - too syndrome." Majority of these enterprises are not conceived out of personal choice and conviction, but mainly on the premises that someone else has done it and "succeeded".

This assumption ignores a very critical aspect in entrepreneurship. I am talking about "timing'" As a result, there are too many similar business ventures all around leading to unhealthy competition.

In a situation like this, MSMEs try desperate measures to survive, chief among them, the price war strategy. Most MSMEs suffer from inferiority complex that leads them to believe that they can only assert themselves in the market by offering the lowest prices for goods or services in their industry.

Unfortunately, this usually sends the wrong message, that their service is equally substandard. If your competitors feel that you are using the price factor to gain competitive advantage over them, they can respond using the same weapon often times with devastating consequences on the "weaker competitor".

The key word for competitiveness for MSMEs is reliable market intelligence (especially on competitors' analysis). MSMEs must employ creativity and innovation to intelligently outdo "the assuming big egos". There are various basic questions that must be answered with the help of competitors' analysis.

Equity Bank has survived to give this testimony, that if you understand your competition you can quietly pull the carpet from under the 'big boys' feet.

Firstly, it is important to identify who else is doing the same business as you or even close to what you are doing. For a long time, Coca Cola thought their competition was only with Pepsi Cola until they realised they were competing with anything and everything that quenches thirst, including mineral water.

Secondly, it helps to know the number of entities you are up against. If they are too many it might be prudent for you to look around for another business possibility.

Seek to understand the strong points of the competition. It is equally paramount to understand the competition's weak points and design ways to shine where they do not shine.

Today's conglomerates were once small ventures that dreamt and schemed to outgrow their "smallness". To keep focus on the growth path, it is always crucial to conceive clear and challenging vision and mission statements for your enterprise and share them with the people you are working with.

Mr Kimani is an Enterprise Development Consultant.