Can you use other businesses ideas for your advantage?

In other words, can you take their ideas and make them your own and help your business progress?

I believe you can. The reason I say that is because if you view successful businesses, many have done this. Take for example Starbucks. The inspiration for the Starbucks enterprise was a man named Alfred Peet. He began importing fine Arabica coffees into the United States during the 1950s. All of the original owners of Starbucks were well acquainted with Alfred Peet's expertise. 

Starbucks began in 1971 when the three owners opened a store called Starbucks Coffee, Tea, and Spice in Seattle. The partners shared a love of fine coffees and exotic teas and believed they could build a clientele in Seattle much like that had already materialized in the San Francisco area.

In 1981, Howard Schultz, was vice president and general manager of U.S. operations for Hammarplast—a Swedish maker of stylish kitchen equipment and house wares. He noticed that Starbucks was placing larger orders than Macy's was for a certain type of drip coffeemaker. Curious to learn what was going on, he decided to pay the company a visit. Schultz was impressed by the business philosophy of the business. It was clear from their discussions that Starbucks stood not just for good coffee, but that the founders were passionate. In 1988, the owners sold the Starbucks chain to Howard Schultz.

It was on a trip to Italy by Mr. Schultz's that produced a ground breaking revelation: he believed that Starbucks had completely missed the point. He believed that going to Starbucks should be an experience. He knew that recreating the Italian coffee-bar culture in the United States could be differentiating factor.

The rest they say is history. I do have a question for you though;

What business can you look at to improve upon their ideas to create your own success?