Competitive intelligence and analysis are essential elements of any business' marketing strategy in today's competitive marketplace. In order to understand the business environment and make effective business decisions, you must gather and analyze information on your customers, suppliers, distributors and retailers as well as your competitors. Competitive Intelligence will show you, from an international perspective, how to plan, prepare and implement an efficient CI system. Advice is provided on time-saving, avoiding information overload, vital technological assistance, internet and electronic databases, setting up an Intelligence Library, data mining, budget constraints and legal considerations.