Competitive Intelligence

Did you know that one of the best places to collect Competitive Intelligence (CI) is at trade shows?

Whether you are a private company, a government agency or an association, uncovering key information about your competition, industry trends, the market's perception of your organization and your staff's performance is necessary in today's business climate. CI gives you the information you need to make well-informed decisions. It minimizes surprises and can even open doors to many new opportunities.

Our CI programs follow these three steps:

1. Determining the scope and strategy
We will help you scope out your CI objectives and develop methods that are consistent with your corporate culture, values and ethics. Then we develop a strategy which includes the development of success factors and metrics, timing, questionnaires and methodologies.

2. Implementing the Strategy
During this stage we begin to gather data using the methodologies agreed upon in the first phase. After a mutually accepted time-frame or number of interviews, we assess the information to ensure that we are on track to meet our client's objectives. We suggest alterations and modifications to the plan, the approach or the questionnaires where appropriate. If you agree, we then incorporate these changes into the strategy.

3. Reporting the Findings
We analyze the information gathered and present it to you. We also include our recommendations for next steps: how to strategically apply the information that the CI strategy uncovered.

To find out more about our CI services, please contact Barbara Siskind and she'll set up an appointment.

The Mystery Shopper Program

Face-to-face marketing is a work in progress. There are no hard and fast solutions that work for everyone. But evaluating performance gives you the crucial information you need to make necessary improvements to your program. It gives smart marketers access to unbiased information so they can continuously make sure their marketing initiatives are relevant.

Many organizations use mystery shoppers to access important information. Mystery shoppers are trained, independent people who blend in with ordinary customers. Through their trained eyes, they evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your marketing initiative.

We can help you develop a mystery shopping program or plan and execute the program for you.

To find out more about our Mystery Shopper Program, please contact Barbara Siskind. She'd be happy to answer your questions.