Competitive intelligence (CI) is a crucial aspect of strategic planning in business that involves gathering, analyzing, and utilizing information about competitors, market conditions, and industry trends. This process enables companies to make informed decisions, foresee market movements, anticipate competitor actions, and identify opportunities and threats. CI encompasses a wide range of activities such as monitoring competitors’ marketing strategies, product developments, sales tactics, and performance metrics. It leverages public sources like company reports, news articles, industry conferences, social media, and sometimes ethical intelligence-gathering methods to collect data. The insights gained from CI help businesses to refine their strategies, improve their products and services, and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace. It’s not just about understanding rivals but also about being proactive in a constantly evolving market to drive growth and success.