January 24, 2012 presentation for SCIP Colorado Chapter

1. Mining Local Sources for Competitive Intelligence 1/24/2012
SCIP Colorado Chapter
Agenda
Why bother?
Mining Local Sources for Strategies
Competitive Intelligence Sources
Marcy Phelps
Phelps Research
mphelps@phelpsresearch.com
Twitter: @marcyphelps
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Local for CI
Information about the environment in which
companies/people live, work, operate
ResearchOnMainStreet.com – Demographic
– Economic
– Regulatory
PhelpsResearch.com/speaking
– Political
– Social
Slideshare.net/marcyphelps
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Local for CI Challenges
In-depth coverage not found elsewhere • Fewer sources
– Coverage of small, private companies • Harder to find
– Mass layoffs • Later releases
– Natural disasters
• Information not always uniform across
– Local feel/insights
locations
• Smaller samples/less reliable
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Marcy Phelps 303‐239‐0657
Phelps Research www.phelpsresearch.com
mphelps@phelpsresearch.com www.MarcyPhelps.com 1

2. Mining Local Sources for Competitive Intelligence 1/24/2012
SCIP Colorado Chapter
Strategy Strategy
Use a variety of sources – online and human Know your geography
How will the information be used? Small locations don't live in isolation
Know when to pay Consider alternatives
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Key sources
• Federal government • Local media
• State/local • Social media
Demographics governments • Specialized sites
Economics
Issues
• Local organizations • Local experts
Companies
People
KEY SOURCES
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Local demographics Local economics
• New American FactFinder • BLS Geographic Guide
factfinder2.census.gov bls.gov/guide/geography
• statelocalgov.net • BEA Regional Economic Accounts
• Chambers of Commerce bea.gov/regional
• Claritas MarketPlace • American FactFinder
snipurl.com/21uq9bh • censtats.census.gov
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Marcy Phelps 303‐239‐0657
Phelps Research www.phelpsresearch.com
mphelps@phelpsresearch.com www.MarcyPhelps.com 2

3. Mining Local Sources for Competitive Intelligence 1/24/2012
SCIP Colorado Chapter
Local economics Local issues
• Google News advanced search • Topix.com
• Economic development orgs • InOtherNews.us
• Chambers of Commerce • LocalTweeps.com
• Economists, journalists • HelloMetro.com
• GovScan.com • Stateline.org
• YourEconomy.org • Librarians, journalists
• Econdev, other organizations
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Companies People
• BizJournals.com • abyznewslinks.com
• NewsLink.org • Wink.com
• InfoUSA.com • ChirpCity.com
• Placeblogger.com • LinkedIn advanced search
• ThomasNet.com • Guidestar.org
• Chambers of Commerce, econdev orgs • Petersons.com
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Going local
Have a plan – but be flexible, creative
Use the web to find leads, sources
Talk to the locals www.ResearchOnMainStreet.com
ResearchNOTES
www.PhelpsResearch.com/researchnotes
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Marcy Phelps 303‐239‐0657
Phelps Research www.phelpsresearch.com
mphelps@phelpsresearch.com www.MarcyPhelps.com 3