其所居者易利也
Sun Tzu
if an enemy army sets up camp in a place that is easy to get to, they are essentially “baiting” their opponents by making it tempting for them to attack. In other words, the enemy is making it appear as if they are vulnerable and inviting an attack, when in reality they may be preparing a trap or ambush.
If a competitor appears to be vulnerable in the market, they are likely baiting you.
When a competitor appears to be vulnerable in the market, it may be a strategy to lure you into entering that market. The competitor may be intentionally making themselves appear weak or struggling in order to trick you into thinking that you have a good opportunity to gain a foothold in that market. This can be a dangerous tactic, because if you take the bait and enter the market, you may end up expending valuable resources (such as time, money, and effort) on a market where you are not well-positioned to succeed. This can distract you from other markets where you may have more success and be a greater threat to the competitor.
In other words, the competitor’s apparent vulnerability in the market may be a trap to lure you into expending your resources in a market where you are not likely to succeed. By baiting you in this way, the competitor may be hoping to weaken your overall position in the market, and gain an advantage over you. This is a common tactic in business, where companies may try to deceive their competitors and gain an advantage by making themselves appear weaker or more vulnerable than they really are. By understanding this tactic and being aware of it, you can avoid being tricked by your competitors and make better decisions about where to invest your resources in the market.