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.
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many different categories, including, but not limited to, qualitative, quantitative, formal, informal, published, and unpublished.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.