Fully-Dedicated Competitive Intelligence Groups on the Rise, Cutting Edge Information Study Finds

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Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:41am EDT

  RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, Jul 31 (MARKET WIRE) -- 
A new study released by industry leader Cutting Edge Information finds
that competitive intelligence departments are now fully dedicated at 62%
of pharmaceutical companies. The study, "Pharmaceutical Competitive
Intelligence: Expanding the Role and Reach of CI," finds that not only
are CI departments becoming wholly dedicated, but they are also taking on
more strategically integrated roles at their companies
(www.pharmacompetitiveintelligence.com).

    Companies of all sizes are adapting their strategies when it comes to
competitive intelligence. Smaller companies are now beginning to formalize
competitive intelligence activities through firmly established
communication lines, if not through fully centralized departments. The
largest companies are moving toward centralized, global-level groups that
offer strategic value beyond the data that they collect.

    According to Cutting Edge Information's research, although the CI function
certainly has room for growth -- most departments still consist of fewer
than 10 individuals -- it is well on its way to becoming a mature,
influential department.

    "A decade ago, the concept of having a fully dedicated CI department was a
new idea," says David Richardson, lead author of the study. "Now at many
companies, the CI function is a fully integrated function that plays a
vital role in developing and executing market strategies."

    The 116-page report examines CI team structures, phase-by-phase spending
and staffing, and strategies for improvement. Compiled from surveys and
interviews with executives at leading companies, the report enables CI
teams to achieve success. It focuses on these topics:


--  Structuring for Success - provides details on CI structures, including
    global-level reporting lines and placements; ways in which CI teams trumpet
    their successes and create CI cultures; and the career paths laid out to
    make CI teams breeding grounds for future pharma leaders
--  Resourcing for Growth - reveals CI department-level budgets and
    staffing; brand-level phase-by-phase spending and staffing; which groups
    fund CI; and how companies demonstrate ROI on CI
--  Increasing CI's Reach - Examines how companies communicate their
    strategic value to internal clients and the resources and tools for
    collecting CI
    

    


CONTACT INFORMATION:
David Richardson
Email Contact
919-433-0216

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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