Competition research. what tools are worth using?

Competition research forms the foundation of a strategic approach to business management, enabling entrepreneurs to understand the market situation, identify trends, and effectively adapt to changing environments. But what tools are worth using to conduct effective competition research?

 

Competition research is a crucial element of conducting business. It allows you to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors, identify their marketing strategies, pricing, distribution policies, product quality, and customer service levels. This way, you can adjust your offer to market needs and gain an edge over the competition.

There are many methods of competition research worth knowing. One method to remember is the SWOT analysis. It involves identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your own company and competitive entities while also identifying potential opportunities and threats arising from the business environment. A properly conducted SWOT analysis can optimize a company's actions to increase its competitiveness in the market.

 

- I have a feeling that the SWOT analysis is somewhat underrated. However, if constructed correctly, it allows you to focus on the most important features of our company or product. Importantly, during the analysis, we must look not only at the object being analyzed but also at the environment - adds Dr. Monika Jaremków, Director of R&D at the Biostat Research and Development Center.

 

Market analysis tools are the key to understanding the competition, guiding actions, and adapting to changing market conditions. They include a range of instruments and techniques that allow entrepreneurs to delve into the market structure, identify competitive forces, and provide essential data for developing effective business strategies.

One of the key tools for market analysis is the study of market and industry trends. By utilizing various data sources such as industry reports, market analyses, and forecasts, companies can track changing consumer preferences, new technologies, or industry regulations. Trend analysis allows for adjusting products, services, and marketing strategies to market expectations, which becomes crucial in the business environment. Effective use of these and other tools enables better business management, identification of new business opportunities, and effective competition in the market.

 

See: Brand research

 

Information circulates on the internet at such a pace that online monitoring has become a fundamental element of effective competition research. Electronic sources of information about the competition provide a rich source of data that companies can use to track competitor activities, identify market trends, and make quick and accurate business decisions. Online monitoring includes various tools, ranging from simple social media tracking tools to advanced data analysis technologies.

One of the basic elements of online monitoring is observing competitor activity on social media. Another key aspect is analyzing the competitor's website. Online monitoring includes not only evaluating the appearance and functionality of the website but also analyzing content, product offerings, and marketing strategies. It is also worth mentioning tools for analyzing online markets and e-commerce platforms, which allow tracking competitor actions regarding pricing, product offerings, and sales strategies. Analyzing this data enables entrepreneurs to adjust their pricing and offer strategies, which is crucial in a changing market environment.

 

Modern online monitoring also utilizes advanced data analysis tools, such as sentiment analysis tools or Big Data analysis. Sentiment analysis helps understand consumer emotions and opinions related to a competitive brand, which can be crucial when planning communication strategies. Big Data analysis, on the other hand, enables processing vast amounts of data, allowing the identification of macro market trends that can affect the competitive position.