Whoever has the best information is most likely to succeed and on their own terms.

It is difficult to overstate the importance of high quality information to the development and execution of world class IP Strategy.

The best IP Strategists are keen practitioners of competitive intelligence and analyse a wide variety of  information.

I use checklists of information sources tuned to different kinds of issues – some are free, some paid and some are highly specialised, bespoke services.

A key point in all if this to get as much first hand information as possible.  I was once in a natural disaster situation and we spent a lot of time trying to get accurate information.  We checked websites and called official departments.  The best information, of course was from the local officials manning road blocks.  Once we managed to speak to them, we knew exactly where we stood.

Do you remember the first time you played Chess against a much better player?  The insights the other person had, seemed like magic.  How did they know all of your possible moves and how were they prepared for all of them?  They just had more and better information than you – in this instance garnered from years of playing the game.

Information is magic – use it wisely and you will be even more successful.

This is one of the 100 IP Strategy Principles.

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