Understanding Competitors 

Tips for Benchmarking Against Your Peers – HBS School Working Knowledge – How does your company stack up against the competition? You better know the answer to that question on a number of fronts.

Competitors are Your Best Friends – Small Business Notes -- They validate what you are doing and keep you sharp and on top of your game.

Tips for Benchmarking Against Your Peers – HBS Working Knowledge – How does your company stack up against the competition? You better know the answer to that question on a number of fronts.

Understanding Your Competition – Bplans.com -- Do you know who competes with you for your customers’ time and money?

Porter’s Five Forces – Bplans.com -- Understanding the dynamics of competitors within an industry is critical for several reasons. Find out what they are.

Your Competitors – CCH Business Owners Toolkit -- The information age has increased the need for businesses to be thoroughly familiar with their competitors.

Competitive Analysis – Small Business Administration -- Business takes place in a highly competitive, volatile environment, so it is important to understand the competition.

Competitor and Issues Analysis – Small Business Administration -- The purpose of the Competitor and Issues Analysis section of your marketing plan is to explain in detail the external challenges and opportunities your business may face.

What Your Competition is Telling You – HBS Working Knowledge -- Your competitors, closely analyzed, can help you influence your own customers and help grow the market for your products and services. Here’s how.

Understanding Your Competition – Mplans.com -- Do you know who competes with you for your customers’ time and money?

Competitive Analysis – Mplans.com -- The competitive analysis process presents an opportunity to describe your major competitors in terms of the factors that most influence revenues.

Dealing with Competitors

Fixation with Competition Does Not Always Help – Iowa Small Business Development Centers -- Focusing on competitor businesses rather than your own.

Competing with Mass Merchandisers – Iowa Small Business Development Centers -- It is possible for smaller firms to survive in a mass merchandiser environment, but substantial changes in operations are usually required.