CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Sept. 17, 2007 -- Competitive Intelligence groups have a tough job. Trying to protect products nearing patent expiration, staving off competitors from eroding market share or just trying to generally manage company rivals, plus at the same time providing customized deliverables to various, very different internal customers. It is clear from research studies that certain CI groups are better structured, staffed and managed to identify, shape and deliver the insights that matter to their leaders.

Indeed, no matter the industry, companies that excel at CI have learned to apply established best practices to their structure, reporting relationships, collection tools, analytical techniques, and CI competency skill set to beat out the competition.

Specific best practices are revealed in Managing the Competition: Turning Competitive Intelligence into Strategy, a compelling benchmarking study conducted by Best Practices, LLC.

Download a complimentary study excerpt at http://www3.best-in-class.com/re715.htm. The study presents provocative sharing compiled from surveys and in-depth interviews with 29 top CI executives at such world-class companies as AstraZeneca, IBM, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, Kodak, Eli Lilly, Abbott Labs, Progress Energy and SAS.

A brief sampling of harvested insights and best practices include:

-- One benchmarked executive explains that CI analysts at his organization are required to develop executive recommendations beyond pure data analysis. This kind of accountability led to more empowerment of the CI team as company members are more likely to use competitive information if it is readily available.

-- Another company is able to improve performance around timeliness, communication, flexibility and other metrics through electronic feedback forms that are completed by internal customers. The forms produce ratings for the CI team members and provide information for annual performance reviews.

-- Another company measures return on CI investment by tracking corporate savings derived from strategic decisions that were informed by CI recommendations. The CI group uses the measurements to gain continued support and to build resources.

For more information, download a complimentary excerpt of this benchmarking report, Managing the Competition: Turning Competitive Intelligence into Strategy, at http://www3.best-in-class.com/re715.htm.

If you have questions about this report or would like to speak to us about how our research can benefit your Competitive Intelligence Organization or other initiatives in your company, please contact Cameron Tew, Manager of Research and Publishing at Best Practices, LLC at (919) 767-9246 or ctew@best- in-class.com.

BEST PRACTICES, LLC is a research and consulting firm that conducts work based on the principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics, and winning strategies of world-class companies. For more information, call (919) 403-0251 or visit http://www3.best-in-class.com/.