One of the earliest recorded examples of competitive intelligence is of two monks who smuggled silkworms out of China in their bamboo staffs, and delivered them to the Emperor Justinian. Since then, international competitive intelligence has long targeted countries with the leading technology of the day – China’s knowledge of silk making, England’s expertise with textile manufacturing, US technology.
Since the 1980s, competitive intelligence has gradually developed to become a part of mainstream business.
This infographic outlines a history of competitor analysis.
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