<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for those who manage the CI function
Review: There is a 2nd edition available now. Tyson's COMPLETE GUIDE is my first choice for a text that supports the instructional objectives of the capstone (graduate) CI course at Drexel University. The needs analysis portion of the text differentiates between specific CI needs at the strategic, tactical and operational levels of an organization. Through efficient discussion and extensive forms and examples, Tyson provides guidance in acquiring and distributing CI in a form that meets the learning styles and information needs of the users.This handbook will surely frustrate those who are looking for a tutorial in the "basic" analytical skills of CI, but CI is an applied professional discipline that is grounded in the fundamental and technical knowledge of many other disciplines. Since Drexel's CI students are working professionals who often have advanced degrees in business and related scientific and technical discipline, what they need--and this book quite efficiently provides--is a managerial overview of the CI process. I chose this text after extensive review of numerous trade and academic publications. I have not been sorry--and a number of my students have thanked me for using it.
Rating: 
Summary: Provides strong, direct, and user-friendly help
Review: This book is derived from the workbook that Kirk Tyson developed for (and from) his global workshops over many years. This second edition is a little longer than the first, which I reviewed for the Competitive Intelligence Review, vol. 9(4), October-December 1998. It is still a document that provides strong, direct, and user-friendly help, particularly for the organization starting up, or considering starting up, its own CI unit. As with the first edition, the book is carefully done, with an easy style, walking the reader through the entire process of CI. Given the strengths of the first book, Kirk did not have to "reinvent the wheel." He took a solid work, made a few changes to update it, added some additional charts, and replaced the entire 15 page "published sources" appendix. What I think is most helpful is that it reflects Kirk's clear desire to give his readers something which they can use - and use right away. The book includes direct, easily understood lessons throughout, such as "No published information should be accepted at face value....[P]ublished information should not be used for intelligence purpose until it has been confirmed with non-published sources." (p. 8-1). This warning is not an over-simplification. As Kirk says, it (and all of the other important lessons throughout) reflects his experience with hundreds of assignments. Kirk provides in the text, and also in PowerPoint on the two accompanying disks, a set of overheads to help a new CI unit improve CI awareness within the company. These were provided on disk with the First Edition and are, as far as I know, still a unique feature. While the overheads should be adapted for each individual situation, the set provides a quick start for the individual who has to make a presentation - tomorrow - on the company's need for CI. And not only are the overheads direct and useful, there are many other helpful items, including many forms, also provided on the disks. That touch makes the adaptation of these forms smooth and relatively seamless. Overall, the book's strength is that it reflects both Kirk's broad experience in CI as well as his personal vision of its place in the development and implementation of corporate strategy, about which he has earlier written so well. For those starting a CI unit from scratch, or just thinking about it, I highly recommend the second edition of this thorough and lucid work.
Rating:
Summary: Provides strong, direct, and user-friendly help
Review: This book is derived from the workbook that Kirk Tyson developed for (and from) his global workshops over many years. This second edition is a little longer than the first, which I reviewed for the Competitive Intelligence Review, vol. 9(4), October-December 1998. It is still a document that provides strong, direct, and user-friendly help, particularly for the organization starting up, or considering starting up, its own CI unit. As with the first edition, the book is carefully done, with an easy style, walking the reader through the entire process of CI. Given the strengths of the first book, Kirk did not have to "reinvent the wheel." He took a solid work, made a few changes to update it, added some additional charts, and replaced the entire 15 page "published sources" appendix. What I think is most helpful is that it reflects Kirk's clear desire to give his readers something which they can use - and use right away. The book includes direct, easily understood lessons throughout, such as "No published information should be accepted at face value....[P]ublished information should not be used for intelligence purpose until it has been confirmed with non-published sources." (p. 8-1). This warning is not an over-simplification. As Kirk says, it (and all of the other important lessons throughout) reflects his experience with hundreds of assignments. Kirk provides in the text, and also in PowerPoint on the two accompanying disks, a set of overheads to help a new CI unit improve CI awareness within the company. These were provided on disk with the First Edition and are, as far as I know, still a unique feature. While the overheads should be adapted for each individual situation, the set provides a quick start for the individual who has to make a presentation - tomorrow - on the company's need for CI. And not only are the overheads direct and useful, there are many other helpful items, including many forms, also provided on the disks. That touch makes the adaptation of these forms smooth and relatively seamless. Overall, the book's strength is that it reflects both Kirk's broad experience in CI as well as his personal vision of its place in the development and implementation of corporate strategy, about which he has earlier written so well. For those starting a CI unit from scratch, or just thinking about it, I highly recommend the second edition of this thorough and lucid work.
<< 1 >>
| 
