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Where do we start? What do we need?
The realization is that as much as 95% of all government intelligence, as well as 99.9% of corporate intelligence is Open Source and does not need the sprawling resources of government or corporate security to protect the information. The need for hugely expensive and inefficient compartmentalized units to protect each other, from each other and the outside world is both unnecessary and counter productive, as is the associated waste product, duplication of effort. In the Federal intelligence system there must be tens of thousands of people working on the same piece of information, with no contact, or assistance from each other. No matter how you try and defend it Secrecy is the Enemy of Knowledge. In a world where changes are dramatic and sudden every manager and decision maker needs to be aware of the world around them. The vast majority of projects do not need specialized knowledge to create the "Skeleton" of the project, including training, software, procedures, books and publications. The "confidential" bit can be added by the user, after training and development. Yes, many companies are afraid of "Showing their hand" by allowing consultants access to their plans and intentions. But like a food supermarket, you don't need to tell the cashier the recipe and dinner plans before buying the groceries. With Information Builders in Orlando
We took advantage of the opportunity and discussed the potential and problems of Business Intelligence software and the entire spectrum of intelligence gathering and analysis for the corporation, government agency or organization. From hospitals and healthcare to cutting edge development corporations all interviewed were eager to highlight their industry issues, and possible solutions. A great learning experience and many thanks to Gerry Cohen the founder and CEO of the very successful company. SCIP Annual Conference
Like most conferences the best information is gathered from quiet un attributable conversations in remote corners. The conference proved to be a valuable resource, with honest conversations about the problems facing the corporate intelligence departments. Many had been following the development of our OSINT Center and asked how much success we were having in convincing corporate executives that competitive intelligence can earn them rewards, and lack of it can cost them dearly. The overall analysis was that there needs to be more activity in explaining the role of the corporate intelligence department to executives, and the media in general. Most key executives still seem to want intelligence reports to validate their course of action, and when the results are negative many resort to ignoring the intelligence product. Sounds just like the White House! Aurora on Pharmaceutical Intelligence
We have been invited to, and attended many of the key conferences and exhibitions around the country, including conferences on Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Computers and Business Intelligence User Conferences. In each we learned of the requirements and shortfalls in the marketplace, and look forward to creating a media response to meet their industry needs. View from the UK UK and European business schools cover what you would term OSINT under 'environmental scanning' techniques; that is using all assets available for the capture of whatever form of intelligence is required to give you a business or corporate edge. At a very low level the basic skills would also be covered through 'STEEP' analysis - Social Technological Environmental Economic and Political issues. The fundamental skill taught here is how to analyze all issues affecting your business, strategy, plans etc - the key is not which assets you use as they are constantly evolving and emerging but to ensure you cover every angle. No doubt when the authors of the various business models (such as Michael Porter at MIT with his '5 Forces Model') they had no idea of how much intelligence would now be available; what they did have was the basis of structuring data capture and interrogation to ensure key information was not Where there may be a gap is in the provision of such services from one source; large corporations create a market advantage by putting their own network of resources together. A one-stop shop will no doubt create this but for the wider audience. My only concern would be how valuable the The perception of UK and Europe being behind other markets can often be an illusion; the main business schools worldwide are now very closely linked (schools such as Wharton have European campuses and INSEAD teaches in the US for instance). From my experience there is now a worldwide base for knowledge being created for business schools. Business intelligence has moved on somewhat from sales forecasting and is used as an input into wider environmental scanning. |
As the realization grows that companies and municipalities need to embrace the whole concept of gathering intelligence and analyzing their path in the turbulent oceans of the modern world, the question often asked is "Where do we start and what do we need?
We spent a very educational and informative three days as guests of Information Builders at their annual Users Conference. The company allowed us free range of the entire show, including the opportunity to talk to any number of users and clients, without the usual harassment of the company PR minder. 
At the kind invite of the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals we joined the throng of Competitive Intelligence Managers and Analysts at SCIP's Annual Conference to meet, greet and listen to the latest presentations .
We joined up again with Arik and Derek Johnson in Princeton, New Jersey to get a handle on the development and issues for intelligence managers from across the pharmaceutical industry. The major players, and the newcomers too listened to Arik outline a management simulation and worked their way through countermeasures, and modifications to their business and marketing plan. Initial observations to the excellent War Game was that most CI and BI Managers need to consider attending a Summer School!