I can clearly remember my son playing "Lemmings" on his computer as a young child.

The "lemmings" of the game are small, green-haired humanoid beings that mindlessly walk en masse into any danger in their path, until told otherwise.

What's that got to do with business today? 

Many businesses today are seeking rapid success via mimicry or copy cat processes. Or as they would like you to think ... emulation of another successful business.

The strategy is one of being a good Lemming

A recent discussion I held with a number of small business owners related to marketing and business strategy. Out of the discussion 8 key items were listed by the group as being important to their success.

The underlying basis for these strategies was doing what others were doing in their industry, only they saw their success as being real if they did it quicker, smarter and for longer than the rest.

Discussion followed relating to which had the greatest impact and what was the best to follow ... until one quiet fellow interjected.

"You are no better than Lemmings!"

"What you call strategy is nothing more than opportunistic activity ... you are seeking rapid success by copying something someone else did that worked for them, and when it doesn't for you, you complain that the strategy was wrong or that the time wasn't right"

Why do we become Lemmings?

When you're lost, you follow the "leader" very closely. But the "leader's" strategy may be equally as flawed as your mimicry

As a good Lemming you then begin clamping down on your creative inspirations because 'They don't do it that way' and then the final bite is you end up getting bored with what you do, but at the same time not wanting to do something new.

The only solution is to cease being a Lemming and step out on your own, into a place of independence and equality rather than mimicry and subservience.