Blog - Page 6 of 6 - Market Alert Ltd.

Key Tips to Conducting CI Ethically

December 5, 2016August 31, 2023David Lithwick

How do you conduct CI ethically? Rule of thumb: Collect only information that is within the public domain. While there is validity in this guideline, it is simplistic. It does not advise you how to collect intelligence ethically. The following TIPS do: Tip How Avoid over-complicating CI’s role The more clearly defined the CI expectations are, the less chance of going off track and overstepping boundaries. In other words point out to your stakeholder what you will be able to and not able to achieve. Raise the issue of tipping off the competitor to your stakeholders If you are being pressed to overreach ethical boundaries, advise… Read More

Mystery Shop Deliverables & Value for Dollars Spent

November 18, 2016August 31, 2023David Lithwick

We live and trade in an increasingly competitive and global business world. In many areas, customers are becoming better informed and have an increasing number of choices and alternatives. As a result, firms are using mystery shopping more often and more readily. The demands on getting value for the dollars spent on shops have increased and will continue to do so. No doubt, your stakeholders will be looking for hard numbers from your mystery shop study to roll into their business plan. Invariably, a key deliverable, from your shop findings, is to quantify how revenues are being impacted by your reps’ sales delivery (or lack thereof). MYSTERY SHOP DELIVERABLES EXAMPLE… Read More

Key Steps in Planning Competitive Intelligence Study

November 11, 2016August 31, 2023David Lithwick

The key to successfully executing a CI study is careful planning, easy-to-follow action steps and continuously asking yourself, “What else should I be doing to ensure results are thorough, meaningful and accurate?” Let’s first address what the critical steps are in planning your CI study: Step #1 First, have the client fill out a CI brief by answering the following questions: What must this investigation achieve? Who will be using the results? What decisions will be made with the results? What will your role be in this assignment? Which competitor(s) are to be investigated? Why do you think they pose a threat? What must know questions do you need answered?… Read More