WHAT:  SLA Virtual Learning Seminar - Competitive Intelligence Building Blocks

Under increasing competitive pressures, LIS professionals are embracing competitive intelligence (CI) as necessary to contributing towards their organization’s success and adding value to their services. With defined processes and methods, intelligence can enhance your organization’s competitiveness and strategic development, bolster your contributions and value, as well as help you better understand industry sectors and identify professional opportunities. Moreover, the value of CI is not limited only to corporate settings, but to any organization that experiences direct or indirect competitive pressures.

This two-part seminar series covers three steps of the Intelligence Cycle: Literature (Secondary) Research, Human Source Collection (Primary Research), and Analysis. We’ll outline the components of each, including fundamental methods, processes, sources, and practical tips. Whether your position involves research or analysis, knowledge of both functions can enhance the process and outcomes of your efforts. Through these seminars, you’ll also understand how intelligence professionals practice CI and how you can start applying their methodology to your work and contributions.

Please note: These seminars are designed to complement one another; however you may register for either Part I or Part II to suit your interest and skill level.

Part II
Competitive Intelligence Building Blocks : Analysis

Effective and actionable intelligence relies on meaningful analysis. Involving scores of models, ranging from the simple to the complex, analysis is an essential tool for both successful strategic and tactical decision-making. Increasingly, info pros understand the importance of building our analytical skills and techniques, and how it can enhance our contributions and professional value. Moreover, an understanding of analysis can also improve research techniques and outcomes for CI. In this second segment, we’ll:

o Examine why analysis is critical to the intelligence function.
o Look at what CI analysis can do and what you can expect from it.
o Discuss common types of CI analysis and techniques that are used in understanding your industry landscape and your competitors.
o Outline the components for producing good analytical outcomes.
o Help you begin building your CI analysis capabilities.
o Understand how analysis can boost your CI research definition, planning, and results.