Middle East: Digital Copycats

Firstly I would like to state that I am by no means undermining the efforts nor the accomplishments of any of the organizations mentioned in this article, but merely to express a point. The point being, we as a society - typically - do not innovate. We replicate.

Just some examples of Innovation followed by replication:

• Amazon vs. Souq (recently acquired by Amazon)
• Uber vs. Careem
• Alibaba vs. Tradekey
• Paypal vs. Paytabs

And the list goes on...

How I wish the order was reversed. Wouldn't it have been sweet to see Souq vs. Amazon (Amazon representing the "copycat")? Although this is a common trend - generally speaking - in many parts of the world, this article is focusing on digital businesses based in the Middle East. Don't get me wrong, it is perfectly alright to take an existing idea and enhance it to solve problems relevant to us, which leads me to the core message I would like to deliver as a part of this article; solving problems.

Although I would much prefer us shifting from a society that replicates to one that innovates, we need to start asking the right questions first. Innovation typically is driven by the common question, "How do I solve problem X?". Have you ever identified a problem that personally means something to you? Is there a problem that has effected you or loved ones? With problems that bring personal and even emotional burden, you will find yourself pushed beyond limits you 'thought' existed. Your sudden ability to bring forth a more creative self, a more ambitious and stubborn self, a deep hunger to resolve that may surprise you.

Just as innovation flourished during the Islamic Golden Age hundreds of years ago - which resulted in solving many problems we would have yet faced today had they not - so can it today. We have access to knowledge and tools that leave us without an excuse to simply sit and wait for the next great idea to copy. Why not revive the reputation that once existed in the region? Do you see a problem that needs to be solved? Get to the drawing board and find a solution.

However, as great as it is for us as individuals to embark on our own paths towards greatness and becoming creative individuals, there yet remains a fundamental problem to be resolved:

"Why are we as a society the way we are today?"

"How did we lose our way?"

It may not be so important to answer the above with calculated answers as much so as it is to acknowledge that there is a problem, we have a problem. And one way or another it needs to be solved.

And although this - in my opinion - goes beyond individual efforts to influence societies and will require waves of institutions (e.g. educational system) at the national level to make a coordinated impact that results in positive-effects visible in our time, we as individuals can cause a few ripples here and there. Can't we?

Don't just start a business, solve real problems!

Don't copycat, innovate! #BecomeTheLion #MakeARipple #BringTheGoldenAgeBack

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Ali is an Entrepreneur and leads a team of Analysts & Designers for the eBusiness division at Ejada. You can find out more from Ali by following his tweets at @alibashiti.