If you are talking about competing with Ethereum then you compete with Gavin Wood and Buterin, not an easy task at all :-))
It won't be easy, but we are all men, so there's no need to be intimidated by others' talents.
I'd say the first step to competing with Ethereum is to declare so publicly. Believe me, the Ethereum devs would welcome this. It would also be a bit of a coup publicity-wise for Vericoin.