It’s easy to clone a feature set or user interface. Startups are doing just that every day. But that is not creating anything. Being creative comes from totally understanding the problem domain and designing the solution from the ground up.

To understand the problem, don’t look at other people’s solutions. Don’t wag the dog: other people are already doing that. Don’t wag the tail: find out why there is a tail. Eliminate it if it’s not necessary.

Have your burglar alarm play the Funeral March on your player piano.