What is Competitive Intelligence (CI)?
The systematic process of gathering, analyzing, and using information about competitors to make better business decisions.
Detailed Explanation
Competitive intelligence (CI) is the ethical and legal practice of collecting, analyzing, and distributing actionable information about the competitive environment. It helps organizations understand market dynamics, anticipate competitor moves, and make informed strategic decisions. Unlike industrial espionage, CI relies on publicly available information and legitimate research methods.
Real-World Examples
Tracking competitor pricing changes to adjust your pricing strategy
Monitoring competitor product launches to inform your roadmap
Analyzing competitor marketing campaigns to differentiate your messaging
How It's Used
Strategic planning and decision-making
Product development and roadmap prioritization
Sales enablement and competitive positioning
Marketing differentiation and messaging
Related Terms
Market Intelligence
Information about a company's external market, including customers, competitors, and industry trends.
Business Intelligence (BI)
Technologies and practices for collecting, analyzing, and presenting internal business data for decision-making.
Competitor Analysis
The process of identifying competitors and evaluating their strategies, strengths, and weaknesses relative to your own.
Put Competitive Intelligence (CI) Into Practice
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