Market intelligence

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Market Intelligence is a strategic tool employed by businesses and organizations to comprehend the intricacies of the market they operate within. It is the practice of gathering and analyzing data related to markets, customers, competitors, and other external factors. The process involves a systematic approach including information acquisition, analysis, and activation. The collected data, sourced from both internal and external entities, is then validated, processed, and communicated within the organization. Market Intelligence plays a crucial role in aiding strategic decision-making, identifying potential risks, and enhancing product development. It also helps businesses understand market trends, customer[3] preferences, and competitor strategies. Despite certain challenges such as data accuracy and information overload, it offers significant benefits including competitive advantages and fostering innovation. Future trends suggest an increasing reliance on AI, machine learning[2], and predictive analytics[1] in Market Intelligence.

Terms definitions
1. predictive analytics. Predictive Analytics is a field that uses a variety of statistical techniques to analyze current and historical facts to make predictions about future outcomes. It employs data modeling, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, deep learning, and data mining to identify patterns and relationships within data. Techniques such as regression analysis, ARIMA models, time series models, and predictive modeling are key to achieving these predictions. The applications of predictive analytics are wide-ranging, from optimizing business decisions and personalizing marketing campaigns, to predicting cash flows and legal outcomes. It's an essential tool in industries like asset management, insurance, communications, and more. Moreover, its specialized applications include child protection, legal decisions, and sports analytics. Notable authors and works provide further insights into this field, which also intersects with topics like capital markets, econometric analysis, and counterterrorism.
2. machine learning. Machine learning, a term coined by Arthur Samuel in 1959, is a field of study that originated from the pursuit of artificial intelligence. It employs techniques that allow computers to improve their performance over time through experience. This learning process often mimics the human cognitive process. Machine learning applies to various areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, and speech recognition. It also finds use in practical sectors like agriculture, medicine, and business for predictive analytics. Theoretical frameworks such as the Probably Approximately Correct learning and concepts like data mining and mathematical optimization form the foundation of machine learning. Specialized techniques include supervised and unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and dimensionality reduction, among others.

Market intelligence (MI) is gathering and analyzing information relevant to a company's market - trends, competitor and customer (existing, lost and targeted) monitoring. It is a subtype of competitive intelligence (CI), which is data and information gathered by companies that provide continuous insight into market trends such as competitors' and customers' values and preferences.

MI along with the marketing capabilities of an organization provides a guideline into the allocation and implementation of resources and processes. It is used for the purpose of continuously supplying strategic marketing planning for organizations to gauge marketing positions in order for companies to gain competitive advantage and best meet objectives.

Organizations can develop MI frameworks and models that are suited to financial capabilities and desired market sectors but are mainly based on the four-step process of collection, validation, processing and communication of MI. The gathering of MI data is sorted into many different categories, including, but not limited to, qualitative, quantitative, formal, informal, published, and unpublished. MI data is gathered both internally and externally.

Benefits that MI can bring are that it provides customer, competitor and market insights allowing organizations to gain a competitive advantage in their marketing strategies. Issues that MI can bring is through acquiring data and information through illegal or unethical ways, it can lead to financial loss and government regulatory failures.

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