Rating: 
Summary: This is THE book about Competitive Intelligence
Review: After having listened to so-called gurus spout off about CI none of it made any sense until I heard Larry Kahaner speak at a recent SCIP conference. I bought his book which explains CI in a clear, no nonesense style and I was able to use his insights immediately at my company. If you know nothing about CI, this is the book to start with. If you 'think' you know everything about CI this is the book that will fill in all the blanks you 'thought' you understood. It's practical and down to earth.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating look at THE business technique of the future
Review: After I finished this book all I could think was that I hoped my competitors hadn't read it as well! Kahaner takes a closely held secret of some of the top international corporations and exposes it for what it is -- a highly effective marketing tool. Competitive intelligence isn't business spying. It's a process of turning raw information from any number of sources into valuable intelligence. Kahaner is at his best when he's describing the Japanese kiretsu and their powerful use of business intelligence to command international markets. This book completely changed the way I look at business and what it takes to succeed. Now I know the difference between information and intelligence. It's a difference that can mean life and death in today's competitive markets.
Rating:
Summary: If you worry about your competition, read this book
Review: After reading this book my company put together an information-gathering program that's already produced useful results. Although I have a small business with only five employees, I think Kahaner's suggestions can help any size corporation gain an edge in the marketplace.
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Summary: This Book Will Fire Up Your Passion to Conduct CI
Review: An interesting read! Kahaner presented the CI field in an easy-to-read manner without losing sight of the need to provide some level of depth and usefulness to the reader.For instance, the usefulness of researching patenting patterns to identify leaders and technological trends. Or the usefulness of analyzing company mission statements for strategic intents. These are all publicly available information which are often than not, neglected by business leaders and investors. But after reading Kahaner's book, you will realize that every bit of information can be turned into intelligence when you apply your creativity with a purpose in mind. As someone once said: "absorb what is useful, discard what is not, and add essentially that which is your own."
Rating:
Summary: This is THE book on competitive intelligence
Review: Competitive Intelligence is not just the latest management fad; it's THE business discipline of the next century -- because it offers a systematic method for turning raw information into actionable intelligence. I've read several books on the subject and this is the best. It's for all managers who must make the right decision. As Kahaner says: If a manager makes the right decision he (or she) is a hero. If not, he's a bum! This book will keep you from making foolish decisions.
Rating: 
Summary: Good--but dated
Review: Great read, and a very easy read. This book is more of an introduction to the philosophy of Competitive Intelligence than anything else. It provides a good conceptual overview.
The chief failing of the book is that the world has changed since it was written five years ago. It'd be interesting to see how an updated book would justify CI in a "down" economy, and how its importance has changed with the bursting of the dotcom bubble.
It's still a worthwhile read, but I would rather see a book that has been updated to current world and economic conditions.
Rating:
Summary: Good--but dated
Review: Great read, and a very easy read. This book is more of an introduction to the philosophy of Competitive Intelligence than anything else. It provides a good conceptual overview.
The chief failing of the book is that the world has changed since it was written five years ago. It'd be interesting to see how an updated book would justify CI in a "down" economy, and how its importance has changed with the bursting of the dotcom bubble.
It's still a worthwhile read, but I would rather see a book that has been updated to current world and economic conditions.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable to anyone getting started in the CI industry.
Review: I have recently used this book as one of the major sources for my final project at University in Bristol. I was conducting the project for a well known company so my findings and prototype were to be implemented in the real world. As my literature review involved serious reading around the subject I got to know CI in depth. 99% of the major headings within my review were found within this book, and I found myself referring to it continuously even with many other sources at my disposal. Interested in Competitive Intelligence ? Buy this book !
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I learned of this book while reading the "Ask Annie" column in Fortune (Jan. 7, 2002). I've been in Marketing for 10 years and was looking forward to a good book on competitive intelligence gathering. This covers only the most basic of topics: the plan, do, check, act cycle; annual reports; 10-Qs; government permits; etc. If you don't have a clue where to start in CI you may find this book helpful. If you've done even cursory competitive intelligence gathering before you will not likely find anything new here. I should have paid attention to the reviewer that said, "If this is the FIRST book you read on Competitive Intelligence - it is not that bad..." I'll add not only if this is the first book, but also your first exposure, otherwise skip it.
Rating:
Summary: a must read
Review: I like to read..everything...but I never realized how amazing information could be if we just organize it to something that we call "intelligence"... untill I read this book and mostly I like the way Larry explain about the competitive intelligence in Japan.
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