How do you create a culture of competitive intelligence?

1 Define your CI goals and framework

The first step to creating a culture of CI is to define your CI goals and framework. What are the key questions you want to answer, the main sources of information you want to use, the methods and tools you want to apply, and the outcomes and actions you want to achieve? Having a clear and consistent CI framework will help you align your CI activities with your business objectives, communicate your CI expectations and standards, and measure your CI performance and impact.

2 Educate and train your CI team and users

The next step is to educate and train your CI team and users. Your CI team is the group of people who are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating CI information. Your CI users are the group of people who are the recipients and consumers of CI information. Both groups need to understand the value and benefits of CI, the best practices and ethics of CI, and the roles and responsibilities of CI. You can provide regular workshops, webinars, newsletters, or online courses to educate and train your CI team and users, and encourage them to share their feedback and suggestions.

3 Create and share your CI deliverables

The third step is to create and share your CI deliverables. Your CI deliverables are the outputs and products of your CI process, such as reports, dashboards, alerts, or presentations. Your CI deliverables should be relevant, timely, accurate, and actionable, and tailored to the needs and preferences of your CI users. You can use various formats and channels to create and share your CI deliverables, such as email, intranet, social media, or meetings. You should also solicit and incorporate the input and feedback of your CI users, and track and evaluate the usage and impact of your CI deliverables.

4 Promote and reward your CI contributions

The fourth step is to promote and reward your CI contributions. Your CI contributions are the inputs and efforts of your CI team and users, such as data, insights, ideas, or feedback. Your CI contributions should be recognized, appreciated, and incentivized, and aligned with your CI goals and framework. You can use various methods and mechanisms to promote and reward your CI contributions, such as recognition programs, gamification, rewards, or incentives. You should also celebrate and showcase the successes and achievements of your CI team and users, and foster a sense of pride and ownership in your CI process.

5 Monitor and improve your CI process

The fifth step is to monitor and improve your CI process. Your CI process is the set of activities and steps that you follow to conduct your CI process, from planning to execution to evaluation. Your CI process should be reviewed, assessed, and optimized on a regular basis, and adapted to the changing needs and conditions of your business environment. You can use various metrics and indicators to monitor and improve your CI process, such as quality, timeliness, relevance, accuracy, actionability, or impact. You should also seek and implement the feedback and suggestions of your CI team and users, and leverage the best practices and lessons learned from your CI process.

6 Collaborate and communicate with your CI stakeholders

The sixth step is to collaborate and communicate with your CI stakeholders. Your CI stakeholders are the group of people who are involved or interested in your CI process, such as your senior management, your business units, your customers, or your partners. Your CI stakeholders should be informed, consulted, and engaged in your CI process, and aware of the value and benefits of CI. You can use various strategies and techniques to collaborate and communicate with your CI stakeholders, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or forums. You should also build and maintain trust and rapport with your CI stakeholders, and demonstrate how your CI process supports their goals and interests.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?