Why aren't we afraid of MakeMyTrip ?

This post was originally published on the official StayUncle blog.

Aren’t you guy concerned about Makemytrip? What if they decide to replicate your model next week?  

With the size of their customer and supply base you guys would be screwed!

Yup, we get that question..

We get it often

How about we all grab a beer and chill out a bit?

Are we scared of Makemytrip?

No we are not.

We have 5 reasons not to be:

1. They are comfortable where they are

Makemytrip is doing pretty well with the good old 24 hours hotel booking concept.

Would a comfortable million dollar company suddenly decide to run circles after a small band of pricks just because they are working on a potentially lucrative concept? Not really. At least not yet.

2. They would buy us

Why would they spend time and resources copying the concept we are into? Why wouldn’t they simply acquire us?

3. They would open the  market for us

Our topmost challenge at the moment is educating the mainstream Indian traveler that yes there exist an option to book a hotel for half day and pay only for half day. 

Oh what a bliss would it be if they strike the market with similar service and take the burden of building awareness on themselves.

Plus this will prove that yes, we are onto something valuable. If we are idiots and renegades, signals coming from a million dollar company are to be taken seriously right?

4. They will not copy us until they see that the concept and the service is highly demanded

They would rather keep an eye and follow our expansion and germination. 

Dozens of transactions don’t have to mean anything no matter the novelty of the concept. No, they would rather wait for us to validate the concept and the market before striking up themselves and wiping us out.

5. The  more it eats, the bigger the remnants

Almost every big player in every industry (1) becomes heavy and (2) leaves the “less profitable” segments aside. This usually gives enough space and nutrients for a persevering startup to germinate. We are small agile and maneuvering with no “market truths” and dogmas to hold us back.

This said there will always be a niche to be addressed and delighted. Makemytrip seems to be turning into an artists when it comes to crafting unhappy clients. As suggested by  Steve Blank – Frontal attack equals insanity. Find a profitable niche instead and serve it better than everyone else.

Do we have a master plan for defense and self preservation?

Not really. But we are damn sure that we shall give our 110% in learning the dynamics of the market and building an armada of delighted customers that will stick with us.

This is it!

Nothing sophisticated right?

Unfortunately most startups get stuck in this analysis paralysis and end up doing - NOTHING!

Of course we could also be wrong about all this.

Meanwhile - Hey Makemytrip? Can you lend us 100 customers interested in hotel booking? We will take care of them. Then you can take them back. If they want to.

Smiles,

- Team stayuncle