Competitive Intelligence

Competitive Intelligence or CI, is the process of collecting and analyzing competitive information from primary sources in order to obtain intellience not available through secondary research.

The science of CI is collecting that information, refining it through a process of analysis, and ultimately transforming raw information and data into actionable intelligence. Sedulo Group utilizes a cross-functional CI team approach; embedded vertical industry subject matter experts provide the industry specific technical expertise needed for comprehensive, accurate and efficient analysis.

The art of CI is knowing where to look for the information and how to acquire it once you have found the source. While many CI firms rely heavily on secondary research (published information), Sedulo Group specializes in the collection of primary source intelligence; intelligence derived from individuals with first-hand knowledge. By focusing on primary source intelligence, Sedulo Group provides its clients with the most reliable and succinct picture of the competition.

The goal of CI is to provide decision makers with the actionable intelligence needed to asses, develop and execute their strategic and tactical business objectives. Sedulo Group consultants have been providing industry leading CI deliverables to companies for over 10 years, helping clients out-maneuver and out-perform their competitors.

Applications

Competitor Profiling: Sedulo's Competitor Profiling services provide clients with the most in-depth look at their competitors; from their market positioning and product pipeline to strategic objectives and management profiles. Our goal is to provide our client with the most comprehensive and accurate view of the competition.

Competitor R&D/Product Intelligence: In order to outmaneuver your competitors and the market, it helps to know what you are up against. Sedulo can provide detailed intelligence on your competitors R&D strategy and product life-cycle management objectives.

Early Earning: Through its robust network of vertical industry contacts and subject matter experts, Sedulo Group can provide early warning and threat and vulnerability assessments on market and competitor moves.

Commercial & Market Due Diligence: Competitive Intelligence is critical in today's dynamic investment landscape; understanding not only the specific performance of the intended target, but how it relates to projected market conditions and its competition within a specific industry. Sedulo Group specializes in going beyond the numbers, beyond the spreadsheets and P&L statements; gathering critical market and company intelligence from suppliers, customers, competitors and industry experts.

Supplier & Vendor Research: In today's competitive environment businesses must leverage every advantage they can in order to out perform their competitors; finding and choosing the right vendor and supplier partners is a critical element to a business's success. Sedulo Group's Supplier and Vendor Research services help to locate and evaluate potential candidates based on the clients prerequisites. Once potential partners are identified, Sedulo Group gathers the relevant intelligence needed in order for the client to make the most informed decision.

Competitor SWOT Analysis: In evaluating competitors it is essential to understand their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities (for the client), and Threats (to the client). While SWOT analysis is a common internal analytical tool, few businesses have the in-house capability to accurately and reliably evaluate a competitor's SWOT position. Based on Sedulo's unique ability to gather information directly from the stakeholders, our Competitor SWOT Analysis services is the most reliable and comprehensive in the industry.

Investigative Due Diligence: Sedulo's affiliate, Trinity Global Solutions, offers clients a full suite of investigative services. Trinity's Due Diligence services compliment Sedulo's Commercial Due Diligence services by providing clients with a comprehensive view of a target company's management profiles, history and background.

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Project Highlight

Pharmaceutical

A leading pharmaceutical company asked Sedulo Group consultants to research an announcement by a small biotech company that had possible far-reaching implications for the client.

The target was a small designer and developer of delivery devices for the pharmaceutical industry. The public announcement suggested that the target company would begin manufacturing devices for a pharmaceutical competitor of the client. The client wanted to know what drugs were covered by the agreement and what devices it entailed.

After three weeks of primary source research Sedulo Group was able to confirm that the agreement did in fact cover the disease area the client was interested in and was also able to determine the specific device as well.

During the course of the research Sedulo also learned that the target company had reached a second agreement with a third pharmaceutical company to design and produce an entirely new delivery system. The agreement had not yet been made public but Sedulo was able to get engineering specs as well as production volume estimates. The contract would effectively triple the target company's revenues.

Based on Sedulo Group's findings, the client began working on a more aggressive R&D strategy in order to limit the impact of the new devices the competition had in its R&D pipeline.