The Complete Guide to Competitive Intelligence (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Kirk W. M. Tyson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0966321928 | ISBN-13: 978-0966321920

The Complete Guide to Competitive Intelligence is an invaluable source for the CI professional. Far-ranging in scope, comprehensive in detail, it establishes a blueprint for conducting the entire competitive intelligence process from start to finish. This 300-page book provides you with all the methodology necessary to gather and analyze intelligence, establish networks, conduct intelligence interviews, and more. Plus, it offers detailed instruction on designing and implementing a corporate CI process that can operate as an integral function of a corporation, company, division or an individual business unit.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is derived from the workbook that Kirk Tyson developed for (and from) his global workshops over many years. This fourth edition is a little longer than the first, which I reviewed for the Competitive Intelligence Review, vol. 9(4), October-December 1998. It is still a document that provides strong, direct, and user-friendly help, particularly for the organization starting up, or considering starting up, its own CI unit. As with the first edition, the book is carefully done, with an easy style, walking the reader through the entire process of CI. Given the strengths of the first book, Kirk did not have to "reinvent the wheel." He took a solid work, made a few changes to update it, added some additional charts, and replaced the entire 15 page "published sources" appendix. What I think is most helpful is that it reflects Kirk's clear desire to give his readers something which they can use - and use right away. The book includes direct, easily understood lessons throughout, such as "No published information should be accepted at face value....[P]ublished information should not be used for intelligence purpose until it has been confirmed with non-published sources." (p. 8-1). This warning is not an over-simplification. As Kirk says, it (and all of the other important lessons throughout) reflects his experience with hundreds of assignments. Overall, the book's strength is that it reflects both Kirk's broad experience in CI as well as his personal vision of its place in the development and implementation of corporate strategy, about which he has earlier written so well. For those starting a CI unit from scratch, or just thinking about it, I highly recommend the fourth edition of this thorough and lucid work. --John McGonagle, Managing Partner, The Helicon Group (Blandon, PA)

There is a 4th edition available now. Tyson's COMPLETE GUIDE is my first choice for a text that supports the instructional objectives of the capstone (graduate) CI course at Drexel University. The needs analysis portion of the text differentiates between specific CI needs at the strategic, tactical and operational levels of an organization. Through efficient discussion and extensive forms and examples, Tyson provides guidance in acquiring and distributing CI in a form that meets the learning styles and information needs of the users. This handbook will surely frustrate those who are looking for a tutorial in the "basic" analytical skills of CI, but CI is an applied professional discipline that is grounded in the fundamental and technical knowledge of many other disciplines. Since Drexel's CI students are working professionals who often have advanced degrees in business and related scientific and technical discipline, what they need--and this book quite efficiently provides--is a managerial overview of the CI process. I chose this text after extensive review of numerous trade and academic publications. I have not been sorry--and a number of my students have thanked me for using it. --Katherine Shelfer (Philadelphia, PA United States) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Author

I am very excited about The Complete Guide to Competitive Intelligence. Over the years, many CI professionals have asked, "How do you successfully pull the complete competitive intelligence process together?" I believe this book finally answers that question. It takes the competitive intelligence professional through all the necessary steps to accomplish the task including, assessing their company's needs, developing a plan, conducting the research and finally packaging the intelligence for the decision makers. It even touches on peripheral issues such as counterintelligence and ethics. Plus, The Complete Guide to Competitive Intelligence not only answers questions, it shows you how to do it with step-by-step worksheets. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Kirk Tyson Intl Ltd (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966321928
• ISBN-13: 978-0966321920
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,845,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for those who manage the CI function, June 7, 1999

By 

Katherine Shelfer (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Competitive Intelligence (Ring-bound)

There is a 2nd edition available now. Tyson's COMPLETE GUIDE is my first choice for a text that supports the instructional objectives of the capstone (graduate) CI course at Drexel University. The needs analysis portion of the text differentiates between specific CI needs at the strategic, tactical and operational levels of an organization. Through efficient discussion and extensive forms and examples, Tyson provides guidance in acquiring and distributing CI in a form that meets the learning styles and information needs of the users.

This handbook will surely frustrate those who are looking for a tutorial in the "basic" analytical skills of CI, but CI is an applied professional discipline that is grounded in the fundamental and technical knowledge of many other disciplines. Since Drexel's CI students are working professionals who often have advanced degrees in business and related scientific and technical discipline, what they need--and this book quite efficiently provides--is a managerial overview of the CI process.

I chose this text after extensive review of numerous trade and academic publications. I have not been sorry--and a number of my students have thanked me for using it.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides strong, direct, and user-friendly help, December 8, 2003

By 

John McGonagle, Managing Partner, The Helicon... (Blandon, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Competitive Intelligence (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This book is derived from the workbook that Kirk Tyson developed for (and from) his global workshops over many years. This second edition is a little longer than the first, which I reviewed for the Competitive Intelligence Review, vol. 9(4), October-December 1998. It is still a document that provides strong, direct, and user-friendly help, particularly for the organization starting up, or considering starting up, its own CI unit.

As with the first edition, the book is carefully done, with an easy style, walking the reader through the entire process of CI. Given the strengths of the first book, Kirk did not have to "reinvent the wheel." He took a solid work, made a few changes to update it, added some additional charts, and replaced the entire 15 page "published sources" appendix.

What I think is most helpful is that it reflects Kirk's clear desire to give his readers something which they can use - and use right away.

The book includes direct, easily understood lessons throughout, such as "No published information should be accepted at face value....[P]ublished information should not be used for intelligence purpose until it has been confirmed with non-published sources." (p. 8-1). This warning is not an over-simplification. As Kirk says, it (and all of the other important lessons throughout) reflects his experience with hundreds of assignments.

Kirk provides in the text, and also in PowerPoint on the two accompanying disks, a set of overheads to help a new CI unit improve CI awareness within the company. These were provided on disk with the First Edition and are, as far as I know, still a unique feature. While the overheads should be adapted for each individual situation, the set provides a quick start for the individual who has to make a presentation - tomorrow - on the company's need for CI. And not only are the overheads direct and useful, there are many other helpful items, including many forms, also provided on the disks. That touch makes the adaptation of these forms smooth and relatively seamless.

Overall, the book's strength is that it reflects both Kirk's broad experience in CI as well as his personal vision of its place in the development and implementation of corporate strategy, about which he has earlier written so well.

For those starting a CI unit from scratch, or just thinking about it, I highly recommend the second edition of this thorough and lucid work.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous Book!, April 5, 2007

By 

Joao Guilherme Moura Ferreira (São Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Guide To Competitive Intelligence (4th Edition) (Paperback)

I would say that this book is made for every single Business Manager even the ondes who are not at all interested on this area. A Basis and basic Book for driving information.