Seena Sharp - Competitive Intelligence Advantage: How to Minimize Risk, Avoid Surprises, and Grow Your Business in a Changing World

Seena Sharp has done it again! This incisive, compact book clears through the clutter that encumbers so many others in the field of competitive intelligence. Seenas no-holds-barred style rings true as she pierces several myths surrounding vaunted business decision making and the holy grail of crunching business data.

Every executive and aspiring high-potential manager should take to heart Seenas keenly articulated assessment of the many flaws that inhibit truly valuable decision making. Great decisions are a product of insight, experience, and intelligence, which constitute the very heart of the critical thinking skills so eagerly sought by companies.

Seena correctly underscores how the lack of the lattersolid intelligence inputcan handicap a companys thinking processes and help to torpedo strategies. Why is this? As Seena points out, mastering intelligence takes real thinking disciplinethe heavy lifting of business analysis. As this book argues cogently, todays shareholders deserve business executives who are willing to get this fundamental skill set under their belts.

The world is getting more and more complicated, and so is business. Intelligence, as Seena points out, is an avenue to success.

Paul Kinsinger, Professor of Business Intelligence, Thunderbird School of Global Management, and Managing Consultant of the Thunderbird Learning Consultant Network

Seena Sharps new book presents a compelling case for the importance of competitive intelligence to decision making. In todays world, where business as usual is no longer the case, executives and line managers alike frequently find themselves without a compass when facing the inherent risk in decisions, whether large or small. Seena Sharp, long an intellectual force in the field of competitive intelligence, provides provocative examples of why both CI and her book are must-haves for all organizational executives that seek advantage and success. And what executive doesnt?

Cyndi Allgaier, Former President of SCIP (Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals)

Without a doubt Competitive Intelligence Advantage provides a clear, comprehensive approach to competitive intelligence for the business executive of today. A delightful read, it demystifies the terminology around CI and clearly educates business readers about this invaluable modern management discipline. As a business consultant, educator, and corporate strategy advisor, I would encourage every one of my clients and colleagues to read this book.

Babette Bensoussan, Author and Director, The MindShifts Group, Australia, 2006 SCIP Meritorious Recipient

Seena Sharp presents a state-of-the-art approach to competitive intelligence that is meaningful and actionable to organization executives and managers. It addresses the why, the when, and the value of CI to the company decision-makers from the standpoint of insight, implications, relevancy to organization goals and objectives, early warning triggers, the customer perspective, and the marketplace.

Bob Margulies, Former President of SCIP

Savvy business owners and managers must read Seena Sharps insightful book before making another big decision. The top expert in this field has written a compelling and extremely readable book. Sharp shares a wealth of strategies and practical tips for staying way ahead of your competition.

Jane Applegate, columnist and author, 201 Great Ideas for Your Small Business

Seena Sharp has always provided her clients and fellow professionals a fresh and insightful perspective on the work and subjects she addresses. This book fulfills those expectations, especially with regard to the business men and women who might not know what competitive intelligence is, or why they need it in todays information-overloaded, global marketplace.

Jan P. Herring, Advisor to Intelligence Professionals, Meritorious Award Recipient, SCIP

After reading this book, you will see your business differently because you will see the world differently... a set of new opportunities to exploit.

Steve Moya, Consultant and former Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Humana, Inc.

Copyright 2009 Seena Sharp. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

Published simultaneously in Canada.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Sharp, Seena.

Competitive intelligence advantage: how to minimize risk, avoid surprises, and grow your business in a changing world/by Seena Sharp. p. cm.

eISBN : 978-0-470-53865-4

Its a whole new day out there in the world of business. Products are sold in odd venues; companies are venturing into totally new markets; customers dont fit the usual profile, and they use products or services in unexpected ways.

What, exactly, is going on? And what does it mean for the decision maker?

Although business has been undergoing dramatic changes for a long time, the changes taking place today are more accelerated, more pronouncedand some even seem downright bizarre. The economic slowdown is part of the reason, of course; but it is not the entire cause, nor even the major portion. More important, expectations have changed, from both businesses and customers.

Whats happening outside your business is having more impact on your success than ever before. This external world includes substitute products or services, the economy, industries that are indirectly related, and changes in societal behaviors.