7 Tips to Sustain Your Competitive Edge

According to a news item, Malaysia has slipped in global competitiveness for the past three consecutive years from No. 21 in 2008 to No.24 in 2009 and now at No.26 as reported in The Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011. On a personal level, how do you stay competitive? Here are the top 7 tips:


1. Continue to be innovative and creative: The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, once said’ ”No nation can be successful unless they are involved in innovative and creative activities.” Competitiveness is measured in terms of new ideas, technological breakthrough and inventions

2. Continue to change: When there is no change there is no progress. When there is no progress there is no growth. Change is the only constant. Receptive to changes is to be progressive in life.

3. Continue to learn: The Global Competitiveness Report’s competitiveness ranking is based on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). The GCI is based on 12 pillars of competitiveness. Among the pillars are primary education, higher education and training. If education is so important, isn’t it crucial to keep yourself up-to-date by continuous learning? Information and knowledge are exploding every day, keeping abreast of developments is the only way to remain competitive

4. Continue to be productive: In order to be productive, you have to be effective and efficiently. In order to be effective and efficient you have to get out of the comfort zone and try new and better ways of doing things.

5. Continue to explore and embrace technology: Taking advantage of technological developments is another way to stay competitive. You get things done faster and more efficient but no less thoroughly. In fact, technological readiness is one of the pillar of Global Competitiveness Index

6. Continue to connect and network: Network and connect with the people in your field of expertise and leverage on their strengths. Learn from them and share with them for what you know. It is a win-win situation

7. Continue to do things differently: As an example you can get information on the Net on any subject you can think of. If you were to write an article in order to be noticed it has to be different from the rest, it has to be from a different perspective and it has to be unique and original.


In order to be competitive you have to stay ahead by adopting the 7 strategies.