Competitive Intelligence

Tactical, Operational & Strategic Analysis of Markets, Competitors & Industries

Vivek Raghuvanshi

Vivek Raghuvanshi's Blog (21)

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Competitive Intelligence INSIGHT – Dealing with Insurgency in Iraq, Afghanistan and India.

I have attempted to generate Insight using Competitive Intelligence to enter the mind of Insurgent Leaders in Iraq, Afghanistan and India, to assist law enforcement agencies in their quest for Competitive Intelligence to outflank and outmaneuver Insurgency in Iraq, Afghanistan and India, thereby making "Emerging Markets" in Middle East and Africa and Asia more conducive to "Foreign Investment" and hence "Mitigating Risks of Globalization for International Businesses".

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on January 23, 2010 at 1:30am — 1 Comment

Strategic Inflection Points - Fountain Pens

Strategic Inflection Points - Fountain Pens

By 1900, the main principles for asuccessful fountain pen had been established:

1. A reservoir for ink.

2. A filling system.

3. A method of supplying ink to the nib.

Finding the most successful challenge, with 3 American companies - Parker, Waterman and Sheaffer - dominating the market. The design of the fountain pen has not relied solely on the demands of engineering, for aesthetics have al

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on December 6, 2009 at 4:00am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Jukeboxes

Strategic Inflection Points - Jukeboxes

Coin-in-the-slot music machines were already well established by the time the golden age of the jukebox dawned in the 1940s. While the designers of this era such as Paul Fuller, are particularly revered, design affecionados are begining to play closer attention to the twp decades that followed. The machines of the rock 'n' roll era - with which the jukebox has become synonymous - scream teenage rebellion with their blatant use of flashy a

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on December 6, 2009 at 3:30am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Glassware

Strategic Inflection Points - Glassware

Glass designers have perfected the arts of pressing, layering, engraving and staining.

1. Wine glass - 1900 This elegant wine glass may have been made by the Belgian firm Val Saint Lambert. Around its surface, an interwoven pattern of tendrils forms an almost abstract pattern.

2. Wine glass and decanter - 1910 Produced in Austria or Bohemia, this wine glass and decanter feature a beautifully coloured leaf mot

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 28, 2009 at 3:30am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Motorcycles

Strategic Inflection Points - Motorcycles

Designers continue to exploit the latest materials and technology to enhance performance and provide a safe ride.

1. Werner - 1901

2. Excelsior 20R - 1912

3. BMW R32 - 1923

4. Megola Racing Model - 1923

5. Harley - Davidson Knucklehead 61EL - 1936

6. Triumph Speed Twin - 1939

7. Indian Chief - 1947

8. Vincent Black Shadow Series C - 1949

9. Honda 50 Super Cub - 1

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 24, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Toothbrushes

Strategic Inflection Points - Toothbrushes

1. Early Toothbrushes - 1900s

Bone Handle + Natural bristles


2. Plastic toothbrushes - 1930s-40s

3. Radius - 1984

4. Modern toothbrushes - 1980s-90s

Designers now compete over the details:

A. Most eye-catching colours
B. Most comfortable grip
C. The optimum angle and reach
D. The best bristle combination


5. Fluocaril - 1989

6. Electric toothbrush -

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 22, 2009 at 1:30am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Music Systems

Strategic Inflection Points - Music Systems

Today, the digital technology threatens the vinyl disc with obsolescence.

1. Graphophone - 1900

2. Pathe gramophone - 1908

3. Selecta portable - 1920s

4. Bermuda Dansette - 1950s

5. Braun Phonosuper SK55 - 1956

6. Beogram 4000 - 1972

7. Philips compact disc player - 1983

8. Denon Stacking System D-90 - 1995

9. Beosound 9000 - 1999

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 22, 2009 at 1:30am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Toys & Models


Strategic Inflection Points - Toys & Models

1. Magic Lantern - 1900

2. Noah's Ark - 1900

3. Clockwork ship - 1904

4. Steiff teddy bear - 1905

5. Meccano - 1910

6. Hornby train set - 1920s

7. Dinky cars - 1930s

8. Scalextric - 1950s

9. Robby the Robot - 1956

10. Lego - 1958

11. Star Trek - 1977

12. Transformer robot - 1980s

13. Thunderbirds - 1992

14. Playmobil

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 22, 2009 at 1:00am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Dolls

Strategic Inflection Points - Dolls

1. Schilling doll - 1900

2. Kewpie - 1913

3. My Dream Baby - mid 1920s

4. Tyrolean dolls - early 1950s

5. Barbie - 1959

6. Barbie "Airline Stewardess" - 1963

7. Action Man - 1964

8. Cabbage Patch Kid - 1983

9. Baby Born - 1991

10. Barbie "Happy Holidays" - 1990s

cited by:

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 22, 2009 at 1:00am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Guitars

Strategic Inflection Points - Guitars

1. Gibson Style O - 1908

2. National Style O - 1926

3. Rickenbacker Electro Spanish - 1932

4. Gibson Les Paul Gold Top - 1952

5. Fender Stratocaster - 1954

6. Gibson Double - 12 - Late 1950s

7. Stienberger Bass - 1982

8. Ibanez - 1990

cited by:

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 22, 2009 at 12:30am — 4 Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Watches

Strategic Inflection Points - Wristwatches


1. Oris Big Crown - 1910s

2. Waltham - 1920

3. Cocktail watch - 1930

4. Bulova Accutron - 1960

5. Oyster Perpetual - 1965

6. Speedmaster - 1969

7. Lasser digital - 1970s

8. Gold watch - 1970s

9. Casio digital - 1990s

10. Seiko Kinetic - 1990s

11. Omega Seamaster - 1995

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 20, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Cars

Strategic Inflection Points - Cars

Few things map the development of design better than a car.


1. De Dion - Bouton Model Q - 1903

2. Model T Ford - 1908

3. Rolls Royce 40/50 - 1907

4. Citroen Traction Avant - 1934

5. Auburn 851 Speedster - 1935

6. Volkswagen Beetle - 1939

7. Citroen 2CV - 1948

8. Bentley R-type Continental - 1952

9. Mercedes - Benz 300SL - 1954

10. Fiat 500 - 1957

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 18, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

Strategic Inflection Points - Perfume

STRATEGIC INFLECTION POINTS - PERFUME

1. L'heure bleue - 1912

Blend of roses, irises, vanilla and musk.

Positioned as Romantic perfume.

The Baccarat glass bottle reflects this romanitcism. Art Nouveau swirls at the shoulders of the bottle and delicately drawn label, the design suggests sensuality.


2. Chanel No 5 - 1921

Remains the essence of Simplicity.

It is square, with a plain wedge stopper and a minimal white label.

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 16, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

Key Success Factors

Key Success Factors for Future Competitive Success

Key Success Factors [KSFs] could be:

1. Product attributes
2. Competencies
3. Competitive capabilities
4. Market achievements

Having greatest impact on future competitive success in the markets.

1. It could be technological expertise or scientific research in high technology industries such as pharmaceuticals or telecommunications.

2. It could be proven ability of an organisation to dev

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 14, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Competitive Environment Analysis

To generate Competitive Intelligence we need to get clarity of the Competitive Environment in which the organisation operates :

1. Economic Features

We need to identify and analyse the most important economic features of the industry in which the organisation operates in.

2. Competitive Forces

We need to identify and analyse multiple competitive forces which industry members are facing and assess the strength of each force

3. Changes - Competitive

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 14, 2009 at 11:30pm — 1 Comment

Hostile Takeovers - Using OODA Loop in Competitive Intelligence

When a Corporate Raider attempts a hostile takeover of an organisation, we need to understand the interplay in the Quicksilver environment:

The Players:

1. White Knight
2. Black Knight
3. Gray Knight
4. Yellow Knight

Further when a Corporate Raider attempts Greenmailing or hostile takeover threat still persists, do we have options such as:

1. Moat
2. Golden Parachute
3. People Pill
4. Poison Pill
5. Lobster Trap
6. Killer Bee

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 14, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Key Intelligence Topics

I. Assessment of Strategies

A. Focused Differentiation
B. Best Cost
C. Differentiation
D. Low Cost
E. Focused Low Cost
F. Market Skimming
G. Market Penetration
H. Related Diversification
I. Unrelated Diversification
J. Backward Integration
K. Forward Integration
L. Horizontal Integration


II. Consumer Perceptions

A. Negative Moment of Truth
B. Positive Moment of Truth
C. Usage
D. Attitude
E. Image
F

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 14, 2009 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers & Acquisitions presents CORPORATE RISKS which has to be mitigated.

Success of merger / acquisition depends how we have actually prepared at:

1. Pre Merger stage
2. Post Merger stage

Pre Merger stage:

Here compatibility issues need to be addressed under :

A.Courtship phase
B. Evaluation and Negotiation phase

While we are looking at compatibility issues at during Courtship phase, have we looked at compatibility between th

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 12, 2009 at 7:00pm — 5 Comments

Corporate Risks

Macro Risks of Globalisation [ Domino Effect ]

1. Retrenchment from globalisation
2. Oil & Gas spike
3. Infectious diseases in the Developing world
3. Trans-national crime and corruption
4. Chronic diseases of the Developed world
5. Middle East instability
6. Heatwaves and droughts
7. Natural catastrophy : cyclone, earthquake, extreme inland flooding
8. Interstate and civil wars
9. Fiscal crisis in advanced economies
10. Food insecurity

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Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 11, 2009 at 6:30am — 3 Comments

AEROSPACE - 10 Billion Dollar Budget - Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft - Indian Air Force

Courtsey - Hudson Hawk http://www.corporaterisks.info/ insight@corporaterisks.info I will like to thank Hudson Hawk for permitting me to use the following Alert. The Americans, Swedes, Russians and the French are at daggers drawn to retain Indian Air Force as their client. Lockheed Martin F-16 IN Super Viper - Costs USD 50 Million Boeing F/A - 18 Super Hornet - Costs USD 57 Million Eurofighter Typhoon - Costs USD 123 Million Mikoyan 29 OVT - C… Continue

Added by Vivek Raghuvanshi on November 7, 2009 at 4:30am — 1 Comment

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2010

2009

Latest Activity

Rainer Michaeli updated an event
ICI-6 Fundamental CI Analysis Methods at Radisson Blu Hotel, Paris Boulogne
October 14, 2010 at 9am to October 15, 2010 at 6pm
SWOT, industry structure analysis, profiling, portfolio analysis and analysis of competing hypothesis (ACH) In this workshop, the fundamental methods of Competitivce Intelligence analysis are taught and practiced with examples. Command of these ana…
7 minutes ago
Rainer Michaeli updated an event
October 13, 2010 from 9am to 6pm
For the real world application of CI fundamentals you will work on a complete CI case study CI basics are taught in this workshop using a case study. The CI process steps are practiced and CI tools and techniques absorbed. With the training from th…
10 minutes ago
Rainer Michaeli updated an event
ICI-1 - Competitive Intelligence Basics Workshop at Radisson Blu Hotel, Paris Boulogne
October 11, 2010 at 9am to October 12, 2010 at 6pm
Achieving competitive advantage through systematic competitor and market analysis In times of increasing competition and complex, fast-moving competitive environments, it is important to be one step ahead of the competition. Businesses have to anti…
13 minutes ago
Rainer Michaeli added 4 events
1 more…
17 minutes ago
Tadeusz Lemańczyk replied to Tom Hawes's discussion 'What don't CI people help each other more often?'
I give up. :-)
22 hours ago
Tom Hawes replied to Tom Hawes's discussion 'What don't CI people help each other more often?'
All, Thanks for your comments. They stimulated me to think about when I respond affirmatively to implicit or explicit requests for help. Here are my "10 rules" for helping. As I wrote them, I realized that they generally apply whether the subject i…
22 hours ago
Andrew Moorhouse and bessonnet joined Competitive Intelligence
23 hours ago
Cristian Rotaru and Anamaria Baltaga are now friends
yesterday
Vivek Raghuvanshi replied to Nimalan's discussion 'Best companies to work for..... as CI / market / business analysts'
Shiela, I never endorsed unethical practices. I did NOT advocate unethical practices. What I did was defend a Nation whose comitted people in an agency, post Sept 11, go out of their way to defend Democracy. I did NOT advocate any clandestine op…
yesterday
Vivek Raghuvanshi replied to Tom Hawes's discussion 'What don't CI people help each other more often?'
Shiela, I never endorsed unethical practices. I did NOT advocate unethical practices. What I did was defend a Nation whose comitted people in an agency, post Sept 11, go out of their way to defend Democracy. I did NOT advocate any clandestine op…
yesterday
Ellen Naylor commented on Eric Garland's group 'The Intelligence Collaborative'
Great idea, Andrew! What about SKYPE?
yesterday
Christophe Deschamps joined Eric Garland's group
The Intelligence Collaborative
A collective of professionals and passionate amateurs around the globe who analyze a world in transition and help guide leaders in their most critical decisions.
yesterday
Arik Johnson commented on Eric Garland's group 'The Intelligence Collaborative'
Great Andrew - looking forward to seeing what results ;-)
yesterday
Eric Garland replied to Nimalan's discussion 'Best companies to work for..... as CI / market / business analysts'
There are some who can't detect my sarcasm over the Internet, which is fine. For the record, I'm not a fan of any "intelligence" programs that have a now documented, practically-official policy of war crimes. That's not intelligence. For a review of…
yesterday
Eric Garland commented on Eric Garland's group 'The Intelligence Collaborative'
Fantastic - that's the point of this umbrella concept, to connect more people in more places with a variety of events in the concept of intelligence. I can't wait to see what you've come up with.
yesterday
Andrew Beurschgens commented on Eric Garland's group 'The Intelligence Collaborative'
Thinking of placing the outcome from our UK panel event on 9/3 into this group and on Ning to get people to add their comments after the event and add to the anticipated rich tapestry of comment being generated given the calibre of audience, panel c…
yesterday
Andrew Beurschgens commented on Andrew Beurschgens's event 'Panel Debate: Professional Effectiveness and Personal Improvement as a CI Practitioner'
I shall explore how others could aprticipate by bringing that age old media, namely conference call, or more one dimensional, we place the outcomes on Ning and get others to comment as they see fit with the PowerPoint used and everything? What do pe…
yesterday
Sheila Wright replied to Nimalan's discussion 'Best companies to work for..... as CI / market / business analysts'
Vivek, I think yoou have just reinforced the point I was making and have done it much better than I. If you think that Mossad/CIA/MI6/KGB etc has any legitimate connection with CI in the commercial context of doing day to day business then I really…
yesterday
Anamaria Baltaga joined Mislav Jurisic's group
CI in Eastern Europe
A forum for those interested in issues around practicing, doing and teaching CI in this region. Get people from the region together on-line, communicate issues, promote CI in the region.
yesterday
Graeme Dixon replied to Tom Hawes's discussion 'What don't CI people help each other more often?'
Funny enough I asked a couple of questions which I sent directly to about 25 people in CI. It was a couple of very simple questions for some research for a piece I was doing. I got two replies
on Sunday

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