Competitive Intelligence: Strategic Advantage
Research Associates supplies business users with competitive intelligence based on legally accessed but intelligently gathered information from many sources, including field intelligence, databases (public and private) and any legal source of information gathering available, including more traditional means such as observation/surveillance.
Competitive intelligence is defined as “the action of gathering, analysing and applying information about products, customers, and competitors for the short term and long term planning needs of an organisation”. Competitive intelligence (CI) is both a process and a product and is more rigorous than competitor analysis. The process of collecting, storing and analysing information about the competitive arena results in an actionable output of intelligence ascertained by the requirements of an organisation. Most competitive intelligence involves the gathering and analysing of information via Open-Source Intelligence (OSInt), surveillance and other means and disseminating the results with a client-based stratagem. It should not be confused with industrial espionage, which may be unethical and, under certain circumstances, may utilise illegal means to acquire competitor information. In the realm of competitive intelligence, the problems faced by clients are always unique, so Research Associates’ approach is always tailored to specific requirements and objectives.
Know Your Competitor
Paul Hawkes is a former member of the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) and has much experience in well-thought-out, strategic brainstorming with clients to ensure focused, logical intelligence-gathering and analysis translates into strategic, tactical, ad-hoc and continuous information streams. Most firms today realise the importance of knowing what their competitors are doing and how the industry is changing, and the information we gather allows organisations to comprehend strengths and weaknesses.
What next?
Since every investigation is unique and because of the delicate nature of all we do, before commencement of any assignment we suggest you call and speak with us. By talking through the outline of your current circumstance in confidence and asking just a few non-intrusive questions, we become fully able to comprehend your specific requirement. This will also enable you to get to know how we work and for us to give a clear plan of action, costs, turnaround time – and to decide whether you wish to instruct us.
