Perhaps "strategizing," "out-maneuvering" or "out-thinking."
Maybe "being better at innovating" or "being better at adapting."

BTW, there's an article you may find interesting:
http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/061218fa_fact2

And an interesting blurb: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.11/streetcred.html