Ignore the elephant in the room, and you lose control of the story. That’s the point
Marichka Onyshchenko drives home in this sharp conversation with host
Jim Gilkey. Competition isn’t something to sidestep. It’s a chance to own your narrative, prove expertise, and build trust. Marichka shares why “playing dirty” always backfires, how to focus on your true value proposition, and why buyers care less about flashy comparisons and more about confidence and credibility. She also breaks down how to handle the toughest competitor of all: the status quo. And Jim adds a reminder that your best messaging insights often come straight from customers who’ve switched from rivals. If you’re refining your messaging or facing crowded markets, this one’s packed with clarity you can act on today.
👤 Guest Bio- Marichka Onyshchenko is a Ukrainian living in Belgium with a diverse professional background. She currently works in product marketing, bringing a sharp focus on honest messaging, competitive positioning, and building buyer trust.
📌 What We Cover- Why you should never ignore the elephant in the room: competition
- How leading the conversation lets you control the narrative
- The danger of saying “we don’t have competitors”
- Why “playing dirty” in messaging is a losing strategy
- The Rolex vs. crab watch meme — and why comparisons like this miss the mark
- How to approach the toughest competitor: doing nothing
- Using insights from customers who switched from competitors
- Building trust by showing research, identifying gaps, and proving expertise
🔗 Resources Mentioned
