In late 2010 a collaborative, cross-industry survey has been launched to investigate the status of Competitive Intelligence (CI) in Swiss SMEs.

CI – for this survey has been clearly described - as a systematic and continuous process: from the collection of data, information and (human) intelligence to review, validation and analysis. The deliverables: insights regarding competitors, markets and the overall market environment. They allow decision makers to (a) anticipate relevant market changes, (b) consider implication for their tactics and strategies and (c) proactively stay ahead of the competition. 

Decision makers in these enterprises have taken the time to describe their own organisation. The Results have delivered insights in the following three areas:

1. How is CI organized? -> Insights into organisational structure, funding and roles and responsibilities

2. Who uses CI services, to what extend and for which type of decision?-> Insights into the utilization of CI products and deliverables, with particular emphasis on impact on decision making

3. How are enterprises organised regarding counterintelligence?-> Insights regarding security levels, training and recent attacks

Interested in the results?

The report is available for download here! 

This year, at the Orlando conference, SCIP acknowledged the work of our president, Kurt Kobel, for his exceptional promotion of CI at the local and national level and his significant contributions to the operations and advancement of CI both, here in Switzerland and in continuously supporting SCIP at international events.

Congratulations, KURT!!

1.     Annual report of the board

Annual Report briefly informed about

• last year's membership survey (slide can still be found under materials in the membership section)contained all information about last years events
• changes on SCIA Board
• summary of our 4 events
• Sponsorship

2.     Annual accounts/Auditors

• Year-end report has been approved unanimously
• Discharge of the Board unanimously

3.    Membership fees - no changes

4     Elections: the Board welcomes Sanja Kais as our newest recruit!

5.     Miscellaneous

• Dates for our 4 events in 2011 have been booked (please see details below)
• First event and speaker have alredy been determined, more information on content will follow shortly

About 10% of the SCIA community took the time to reply.

The majority of repondants is happy with format, timing and frequency of the event, but has expressed interest in more interactive formats as well as more case-study oriented discussions and reviews.

The front runner for topics seems to be 'CI Legal & Ethical Guidelines'.

For more information, please go the membership section under 'Resources' and review a full presentation slides for the results detailed by question.

Thanks again for your time and participation! Watch out for the programme announcements, as the board will make an effort to incorporate as many of your ideas as possible for the rest of the year!

At the SCIA General Assembly meeting February 16th, 2010, the SCIA board was orderly dismissed after audit approval and board reviews.

Due to new professional challenges, Jens Thieme has resigned from the Board. The Board thanked him again for his outstanding dedication and contributions. Replacements have been elected.

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Christian Frey and Monika Giese have accepted the unanimous vote to fill the vacant position at the board for an indefinite term. Please join me in welcoming Christian and Monika as board members to SCIA.

Kurt Kobel
President SCIA - Swiss Competitive Intelligence Association



"Expectations from C-Level on CI: Best Practice Reported" by Christophe Favre, Lexis-Nexis, November 30, 2010

"From Firefighters to Futurists - Developing World Class CI" by Jens Thieme, Lonza, November 24, 2009

SCIA Education Day 2009

"World-class CI Organizations: Academic Model vs. Reality" by Monika Giese June 25, 2009

"Integration of CI into key business processes" by Hans Hedin, GIA, May 20, 2008

"ABB’s Business Intelligence Program", by Daniel Niederer, ABB, March 24, 2009

Please continue to tell your friends and colleagues about SCIA and our exciting 2009 program:

http://www.swisscia.org/scia-events/

SCIA Photo Gallery

Photos from March 24, 2009 event

At the SCIA General Assembly meeting December 9, 2008 the SCIA board was orderly dismissed after audit approval and board reviews.

Due to intercontinental relocation of our board member Silvia Dragic which results in her departure from this position the General Assembly voted for a replacement.

It is with great pleasure that we can announce today that Robert Lazzarotto has accepted the unanimous vote to fill the vacant position at the board for an indefinite term.

Robert is currently CI manager at Siemens Buildings Systems and possesses a broad range of intelligence experience in various intelligence functions for the past 15 years both in Switzerland and abroad.

Please join me in welcoming Robert in his role as a board member to SCIA and in wishing Silvia fun, excitement and success in her new life overseas.

Kurt Kobel
President SCIA - Swiss Competitive Intelligence Association

Among the elected new members of the SCIP board is our very own Jens Thieme, member of the board of SCIA.

I am pleased and hopeful that Jens will represent the Swiss CI community well at the global level in times where SCIP is eagerly developing towards a truly global association for all CI practitioners, academics, consultants, students and other CI professionals.

Find the official SCIP announcement here.

Join me in congratulating Jens for this fine achievement and in wishing him energy and fun with this exciting role.

Kurt Kobel, President SCIA