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COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE SMARTS

(PLEASE NOTE: This article can be reprinted; as long as the byline at the end of the article is included)

Linda Musgrove
TradeShow Teacher
www.tsteacher.com

Understanding what your competitors are doing NOW and where they are HEADED is what Competitive Intelligence is all about! From the smallest of businesses running from a home based office, or even from
your laptop at Starbucks, to the largest corporate giants in the world, Competitive Intelligence IS A MUST! This data should be used as the driving force for your Advertising, Marketing, Pricing, Management Planning, Mergers and Acquisitions, R & D (Research and Development) and of course your Trade Show selection and Trade Show activities!

SO, WHERE DO YOU FIND INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR COMPETITORS?

The opportunities to find data about your competition are somewhat endless, you just need to make a conscious effort to actually be looking for it; once you do that you'll start finding information EVERYWHERE!

Here are some examples of where to start your search!

-  Company Websites
-  Press Releases
-  Government Filings
-  Financial Analysts
-  Employment Ads
-  TRADE SHOWS
-  Meetings
-  Conferences
-  Panel Sessions
-  Reps & Distributors
-  Former Employees
-  Web Search
-  Portals
-  Search Engines
-  Industry Analysts
-  Suppliers
-  Partners
-  Networking
-  Sales Force
-  Media Articles
-  Customer Interviews
-  Customer Surveys

HOW DO YOU BEGIN YOUR STRATEGY?

-  Research and Determine your TOP 3-5 competitors
-  Record the information you already know about them
-  Determine the Additional Information you will need to collect
-  Document the information you collect
-  Determine WHO will be tasked to collect this information internally, or if you will hire an outside agency

WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD YOU BE LOOKING FOR?

-  Products/Services
-  Features
-  Sales/Marketing
-  Sales Representatives
-  Support (if Applicable)
-  Strengths (List all known)
-  Weaknesses (List all known)
-  Company
-  Financial

Linda Musgrove, the TradeShow Teacher helps companies improve their Trade Show Results through customized Educational Trade Show Marketing Programs; with programs for individuals, or entire departments and with the Trade Show Training Manual she authored, titled: Trade Show Training, for Increased Return On Investment. Visit http://www.tsteacher.com to register for the FREE Trade Show Tactics Newsletter! Call (888) 547-7410 for a FREE consultation.

More About the TradeShow Teacher

(This is for informational purposes and does not need to be included if you wish to re-print this article)

Serious Businesses have Linda Musgrove, the TradeShow Teacher.

Why do these professionals actors and musical artists have coaches? To understand their audience, improve their performance, market themselves to their target audience and so on.

Why do businesses need the TradeShow Teacher? So they can speed your sales cycle, increase revenue and increase Trade Show ROI by learning how to:

- Select the Right Shows to Exhibit at
- Obtain Qualified Leads
- Target Public Relations and Marketing
- Design Effective Graphics and Messaging
- Set Strategic Goals and Objectives
- Create an Effective Lead Handling Process
- Master Networking Skills
- Streamline the Planning Process
- "Stand Out" from the Crowd
- AND MUCH MORE!