Why do we have multiple products for the same problem?
At a very simple level...someone sees opportunity. That is, they believe can do it better, and sometimes they do.
Walmart wasn't the first discount store.
Facebook wasn't the first social network.
The iPod wasn't the first mp3 player.
Etc.
Where things go wrong is that very often competitor converge (into a sea of sameness) instead of diverging (each into less competitive markets). Perhaps we are wired for conflict and to fight toe to toe, instead of fleaing and prospering elsewhere?
In any case, for more details on why and how to avoid cookie-cutter-ness:
- Zero to One https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_to_One
- Blue Ocean Shift https://www.blueoceanstrategy.com/what-is-blue-ocean-shift/
Of course there are other sources of inspiration.
