Competitive Intelligence In Small Businesses

Fed-up with theory and theories about competitive intelligence? Looking for practical and clear strategies synthetically exposed, step by step? Lacking the necessary budget to set up a competitive intelligence unit but still feeling the need for your business? This book aims at delivering successful and clear steps to take your business ahead. It is compiling best practices about practical tools used by competitive intelligence professionals from top companies and adapting them to small business structures that have specific needs and very restricted budgets and HR. All compiled in brief points that are easily implemented in a small business.

Major works on CI focus on expensive and complicated processes and techniques that cannot be relevant for a business of 5 people. To date theory focuses more on models than the implementation of models, and the analyses remain too complex for small businesses' managers.It is evident that the amount of literature available for this topic is still insufficient. The situation is moving but very slowly. CI for small businesses has to benefit from specific analyses. Theory is very poor in analysing specifically small businesses fitting competitive intelligence models. This book adopts multiple perspectives, amongst which sources of information, process of utilisation of this information, the link between information and the process, and a clear implementation process and model.The structure of this book will naturally emphasise on the practical aspects in a synthetic way, to allow managers implementing clear and structured steps to get quickly forward in their market.

In the first book designed for businesses of all sizes and managers at every level, Larry Kahaner explains the increasingly vital practice of competitive intelligence and how American companies can use it for success. With a wealth of case studies, Kahaner shows How to profile your competitors' executives to unmask their decision-making processes The line between legal and illegal or unethical activities How to protect your own company against your competitors' intelligence operations COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE is a practical guide to turning raw information into priceless knowledge and winning business strategy.

A practical introduction to the necessity of competitive intelligence for smarter business decisions-from a leading CI expert and speaker In Competitive Intelligence Advantage, Seena Sharp, founder of one of the first Competitive Intelligence firms in the US, provides her expert analysis on the issues and benefits of CI for today's businesses. CI is critical for making smarter business decisions and reducing risks when formulating strategies, leading to more profits and fewer mistakes. This is a practical guide that explains what CI is, why data is not intelligence, why competitor intelligence is a weak sibling to competitive intelligence, when to use it, how to find the most useful information and turn it into actual intelligence, and how to present findings in the most convincing manner. Importantly, Sharp argues that businesses would benefit from shifting their perspective on CI from viewing it as a cost to viewing it as an investment that saves money and provides immediate value. Author Seena Sharp is a noted CI expert who established Sharp Market Intelligence in 1979 Addresses all the most common myths and misconceptions about CI Includes more than sixty examples of when to use CI Completely explains the ins and outs of CI, and why your company will act faster and more aggressively with CI Competitive intelligence is a management tool that is misunderstood and underestimated, yet results in numerous benefits. If you are a senior level executive or operate a business-and you aren't tapping the power of CI to improve your decision making-you are missing a potent advantage.

The Definitive How-To Guide for Business and Competitive Analysis Transform raw data into compelling, actionable business recommendations Answer the questions executives ask—“What?” “So What?” and “Now What?” Today’s 24 most valuable techniques: how to choose them, how to use them For everyone who performs analysis: managers, consultants, functional specialists, and strategists A completely new book by the authors of the popular Strategic and Competitive Analysis Business success begins with deep clarity about your competition and your business environment. But, even as data gathering has improved dramatically, few business professionals know the state-of-the-art techniques for analyzing their data. Now there’s a comprehensive, immensely practical guide to today’s best tools and techniques for answering tough questions and making actionable recommendations. Business and Competitive Analysis begins with end-to-end guidance on the analysis process, including defining problems, avoiding analytical pitfalls, choosing tools, and communicating results. Next, the authors offer detailed guides on 24 of today’s most valuable analysis models: techniques that have never been brought together in one book before.They offer in-depth, step-by-step guidance for using every technique—along with realistic assessments of strengths, weaknesses, feasibility, and business value.

"Permet aux chefs d'entreprises et décideurs de PME/PMI d'introduire l'inteligence stratégique dans leur gestion de l'entreprise. L'intelligence économique comme aide à la décision et à l'innovation). Les modalités d'utilisation y sont présentées par secteur d'activité, puis des études de cas et des exemples d'applications réussies en Wallonie."--Résumé de l'éditeur.

Tested-in-the-trenches competitive intelligence techniques used at today's top companies This book brings together the best thinking and practices in competitive intelligence (CI) currently being used at many of today's most successful companies. Featuring contributions from leading industry executives, it covers CI strategies across a wide range of business functions, including marketing and sales, market research and forecasting, product development, and teams. The only book on the subject offering a comprehensive view of CI, from the CEO down to the tactical CI team Numerous case studies vividly illustrating cutting-edge CI techniques in action