Training

 

IBIS provides training, in the form of courses, workshops and mentorship’s.

University Competitive Intelligence Courses

Strategic and Competitive Analysis

About the course

IBIS Business and Information Services, in cooperation with the University of Johannesburg’s, Department of Information and Knowledge Management, is presenting a first ever course in Competitive Intelligence analysis.

The Competitive Intelligence (CI) field has developed dramatically over the past 20 years and in the corporate world, CI is now readily accepted as a legitimate function of business. Competitive Intelligence is defined as the process in which relevant information is gathered, analysed and interpreted and in which the resultant intelligence is disseminated to enhance a company or organisation's competitiveness. There are six key activity areas, which collectively form the intelligence model: i.e. planning and focus; collection; analysis; communication; process/structure and organisational awareness/culture.

Research into South African practices has shown that there is a specific need for analysis training as this was an area in which companies failed dismally. Analysis is arguably the most difficult to teach and learn and also the area that is most neglected for these reasons. The University of Johannesburg and IBIS have recognised a market need in South Africa for training in competitive analysis and have developed this course.

In this course students will be introduced to analytical frameworks, such as scenario analysis and competitor benchmarking. Practical experience is also an important component of this course. Through exercises, case studies and fieldwork, students will develop skills in formulating key intelligence requirements, gathering useful information, analysing and interpreting it to gain competitive insights and reporting on its interpretations.

Course Structure

The goals of the certificate are to prepare you to facilitate and coordinate the functional aspects of acquisition, analysis, delivery and protection of actionable intelligence that support the strategic objectives of your organisation. You will learn to:

  • Analyse a situation and prioritise components of the problem
  • Prioritise the work products to meet organisational needs
  • Acquire appropriate data and identify the best techniques for the most cost-effective efforts possible
  • Develop evidence-backed analysis and recommendations
  • Present findings and recommendations in an effective manner to the target audience
  • Understand how information can become Competitive Intelligence
  • Understand CI issues and strategies that support production, operations, finance, sales and marketing

Aims and Outcomes

The course objectives are to prepare you to facilitate and coordinate the functional aspects of acquisition, analysis, delivery and protection of actionable intelligence that support the strategic objectives of your organisation . You will learn to:

  • Develop practical ways to structure and analyse a company's competitive environment and developing a competitive information set
  • Analyse a situation and prioritise components of the problem (development of key intelligence requirements)
  • Acquire appropriate data and identify the best techniques for the most cost-effective efforts possible
  • Creatively interpret and synthesise information and present findings and recommendations in an effective manner to the target audience
  • Understand how information can become Competitive Intelligence
  • Find meaning in hidden information and learn how to extract important information from large amounts of text
  • Understand the wide spectrum of techniques involved in analysing business and competitive data and information including strategic, competitive, customer, environmental, evolutionary and temporal analysis models
  • Develop an understanding for analysis and its relationship to strategy and Competitive Intelligence
  • Learn how to package and present intelligence for maximum impact: How to make it interesting
  • Develop the core skills CI professionals must possess i.e. the ability to collect intelligence from human sources; the ability to synthesise (rather than just analyse) disparate industry developments, i.e., see the forest from the trees and the ability to derive implications, and identify the most appropriate actions, for one's company or client

These abilities are not picked up - they are acquired and developed from four sources:

  • Inherent traits
  • Coursework
  • Professional experience and
  • Mentors

Mode of Instruction and Duration of Course

The duration of the course is 14 weeks.
After the first session at the University of Johannesburg’s Kingway campus in Auckland Park  interaction with lecturers and mentors will be web-based. Therefore, Internet access is a prerequisite to enrol for this course. Practical assignments, which needed to be handed in, will be in the form of case studies.

Assessment

Assessment will be threefold and students are expected to achieve an average percentage of 50% to pass. The weight of the three assessments will be as follows:

  • Assignment (30%)
  • Competitive Intelligence Report (30%)
  • Examination (40%)

Textbooks

The prescribed books will be provided during the first meeting:

  • Fleisher, Craig S. & Besoussan, Babette. 2002. Strategic and Competitive Analysis: Methods and Techniques for Analyzing Business Competition. Prentice Hall.
  • Muller, Marié-Luce. 2001. Selected works out of the Nuts & Bolts Series: Gathering Competitive Intelligence; Creating Intelligence; Managing Competitive Intelligence. Knowres Publishing.

Enrolment

Who Should Enrol?

Practitioners from private and public organisations, preferably in the following roles: Competitive Intelligence, strategic analysis, market research, marketing, business development, strategic planning, information services, document management, and communication are encouraged to apply. Also experienced or novice analysts/ researchers wishing to identify and develop the skills required to become proficient in applying of Competitive Intelligence (CI) methodologies, and managers wishing to understand the benefits of having an effective, formalised CI program and how to establish or enhance their organisation's CI capability.

Restricted Numbers

The number of students will be restricted to 25 per course to ensure personal attention and a high degree of quality. Students will be vetted on qualifications as well as their current experience in their companies to ensure that students have the opportunity for practical assignments and for the application of acquired skills.

How do I apply for enrolment?

Contact Marié-Luce Muller via e-mail mlm@IBIS.co.za or click here

What are the admission requirements?

  • Matriculation certificate
  • Relevant corporate experience

Competitive Intelligence Mentorships

IBIS provides a mentorship capability to all companies who currently have Competitive Intelligence but who require further honing of skills.  A CI Capability Assessment is conducted in order to assess an extensive range of internal factors.  The person is tutored according to the specific company’s unique requirements.
Outcomes include:

  • Increased CI skills knowledge
  • Ability to manage CI in the workplace
  • A mentor who is always there to assist where no-one else can

Global Exporter Workshop

 

TO ALL EXPORTERS AND POTENTIAL EXPORTERS ARE YOU SUCCEEDING?
LET’S SHOW YOU WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!

What has your export experiences been to date? Have you capitalised on the “once in a life time” export opportunities that are supposedly abound? How competitive are you? Are you export ready? Either way what strategies should you be implementing?

Strategically there is little doubt it would be of great value for your company to export. Most successful companies worldwide generate a substantial percentage of their sales revenue through exports. In today’s economic climate gaining foreign market access is important and a vital ingredient for future growth and success to spread the risk of local market fluctuations.

The problem is that gaining foreign market entry is complex, costly and time consuming with fierce competition. SA manufactures approach export marketing incorrectly and rarely with the proper required planning.

This workshop provides practical export advice, demonstrates effective export strategies through a case study, provides you with a proven export marketing planning framework and address the key requirements to make you a successful exporter.

This course is presented by individuals knowledgeable in exporting practices.

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