The marketplace study and competitive review must reach
beyond the commonly open to compelling investors to drive your organization plan.
This involves several key methods to achieve. First, the analysis should be
supported by way of a good study founded on the overall market information.
This will not create a great study and unfortunately way too many studies visit
this point. Second, the analysis must extend itself to obtain behind the scenes
also to ferret out the underlying not commonly understood facts. Third, the
analysis must definitely provide analysis and organizing to tie the initial two
areas together as a distinctive competitive position. The 3rd step is where
differentiation originates.
In review, the three areas are:
General market information and background,
Behind the scenes market facts, processes, trends, and
developments,
A comprehensive analysis of the initial two areas since it
pertains to the business enterprise supported by the analysis identifying
differentiating opportunities and first steps.
In greater detail, the overall market information
encompasses industry news, general news, government reports, survey sources,
and general market trends company information. Generally, most studies have a
tendency to rely on the initial two. However, a report ought to be thorough and
like the last three can be an important section of the process that's often
under delivered affecting negatively the ultimate product.
Next, one of the biggest opportunities and generally largest
weakness of studies may be the information isn't actually "unique".
An excellent market study includes actual research with competitors, resources
of substitutes, sufficient reason for academic research. In short the scholarly
study is going beyond everything you will get on the true estate. Did you know
Milton Hershey (the founder of Hershey Chocolate) not merely visited competitor
sites, but on trips to Europe actually requested work in candy factories to
find out more about production methods? Have you contemplated that Bill Gates
early experience as a programmer gave him a competitive advantage developing
Microsoft? While these actions were far beyond the scope of a market study,
they show how important reaching beyond the commonly available could be.
Finally, comprehensive analysis means not merely looking at
the reality and figures, but based on the info offering actionable suggestions
to achieve a competitive advantage. For example, did you know 36% of new
households will undoubtedly be Hispanic in the next decade? In case you are in
consumer products, how will you gain an edge over your competition with this?
Perhaps you will include Spanish home pages on your own websites. Do you want
to make hiring Spanish speaking staff important? What's your rivals doing and
how will you utilize this information to get long term traction?
Taking these three steps can lead to the market study that
sticks out for the grade of work, the uniqueness of information extending
beyond the normal place, and action focused analysis providing a genuine
competitive advantage.