Competitive Intelligence is strategic information that can be put directly into action to facilitate business growth, reduce risk and inform key decisions.
Previously viewed as important only to large corporations, competitive intelligence research is now recognized as critical for companies of all sizes. Competitive intelligence research will allow businesses in our community to quickly respond to the information needs of their dynamic industries by mining information from high-powered databases, GIS, research software, and other information tools.
Competitive intelligence research services provide information on:
Use the links below to see testimonials and case studies showing how competitive intelligence research has helped businesses in our community or view the process for obtaining research services and to review our tips for successful research projects.
“[HSU’s Competitive Intelligence Research Service] has become an important tool for Marimba One and our new business development strategy. ...[The CI researcher] was successful helping us develop a research strategy that culminated as a fresh list of well qualified sales targets. ...We are pleased with our joint efforts and look forward to working with [OECBD] in the future.”
– Chris Chadwick, Marimba One
“[Competitive Intelligence] research is basically what any well run organization should be engaging in; the issue just comes down to resources for most of us. HSU gives local organizations a way to outsource the work in an efficient way, on a project by project basis. That allows us to avoid adding overhead but still gives even smaller organizations access to high quality research.”
– Len Mayer, Humboldt Creamery
“World Shelters is currently benefiting from the researched information and findings provided by [the Competitive Intelligence service] regarding our unique [product]...The market research we received assisted us in understanding how our [product] compares in features, capabilities and pricing with other [similar products]. We are now better able to focus on which personal and commercial applications of our [product] may have the best opportunity for success. This includes our ability to evaluate the costs for marketing initiatives and compare those costs with the potential for sales volume. HSU’s Competitive Intelligence service has provided World Shelters with information we would not otherwise have due to revenue constraints and operational priorities. The report has led to effective prioritization of our marketing plans, and should lead to increased sales achieved with efficiency.”
-Bruce LeBel, World Shelters
Case 1: “Find me more customers like these”
Business type: Specialty agriculture, food or beverage
Need: “Some of our best customers are sushi restaurants. Can you find more like these?”
Research solution: A search of company databases was used to create a list of contact information for restaurants of the specific type they were interested in, within the states they could affordably ship to, organized by FedEx shipping zone.
Case 2: “How do I enter my market?”
Business type: Specialty agriculture, food or beverage
Need: “How do I establish my product in natural foods markets?”
Research solution: Telephone interviews were conducted with sales managers from ten large natural foods markets from throughout the county and were summarized into a concise report outlining the steps required to get products onto the shelves of these and similar stores.
Case 3: “What is influencing our customers’ choices?”
Business type: Specialty agriculture, food or beverage
Need: “How do top restaurant chefs in Chicago make decisions when they are choosing what ingredients to purchase?”
Research solution: A dozen chefs from the highest rated restaurants in the Chicago area were directly contacted and their responses summarized into a bulleted report.
Case 4: “How are my competitors marketing their product?”
Business type: Niche manufacturer
Need: “Our product has many different uses. What uses should we focus on in our marketing strategy?”
Research solution: A report was developed with detailed summaries of competitors' products; price points, including shipping costs; and uses for the product as emphasized in the competitors' company literature.
Case 5: “In what direction is my industry going?”
Business type: Building and systems construction and maintenance
Need: “I have noticed that my industry is going in a new direction. Is this true? Are there other trends I should know about?”
Research solution: Detailed search of trade literature and industry news sources were used to provide a report with specific examples of industry trends relevant to this business’s work.
1. Registration:
2. Question development
3. Research is completed and delivered in person to your place of business. During this meeting the research will be presented and opportunities to work with other local business resources discussed.
4. Follow-up survey several months after research delivery
The following businesses qualify for competitive intelligence services:
Bob Judevine, Deputy Director
Phone: (707) 826-3916
Email: Judevine@humboldt.edu