Like Water?

January 18, 2017

We all struggle for metaphors and analogies to explain competitive intelligence. And rightly, we reject “spying” and “espionage”. I now put forth, for your consideration, water. Water? Why?

Consider these points:

• Water, while seemingly free everywhere, can be consumed only when it has been collected and processed. It cannot usually be safely consumed without that. And that takes time and money.
  • Information, while seemingly free everywhere, can be used only when it has been collected and processed. It cannot usually be safely relied on without that. And that takes time and money.
• We always need water, even when we do not feel like we need it.
  • Businesses always need CI, even when they do not feel like they need it.
• When we feel like we need water, sometimes it is not just recognizing a need, but a necessity And, sometimes, when we recognize that need, it is too late.
  • When our firm feels like it needs CI, sometimes it is not just recognizing a need, but a necessity. And, sometimes, when it recognizes that need, it is too late.
• Water is critical to life as we know it. We often do not appreciate that.
  • CI critical to the survival and success of business as we know it. Executives often do not appreciate that.
• Where water is controlled or restricted, people are controlled.
  • When information is controlled or restricted, people and businesses are controlled.