Our Capabilities

Competitive/Market Research

What is your company doing and what are your competitors doing? You may have a handle on what's going on under your own roof, but developing a detailed picture of your competitors' activities usually requires some outside of the box research. Epoch’s competitive intelligence professionals are strategic researchers that specialize in the collection and analysis of information about competing firms. Competitive intelligence is about adhering to a strict ethical code by collecting bits of information that are available either in the public domain or from other players in the marketplace. The goal is to amass enough data to make meaningful comparisons between your firm and your competitors — provided back to you in measureable ways that allow you to make better-informed strategic decisions and eliminate surprises. Your confidence in the decisions you make is reflected with the same confidence that others have in your ability to make those decisions.

Let’s discuss: What are your concerns, problems, challenges? What keeps you up at night? How do you expect to address that? What resources are available to you? What type of support do you need?

Ways We Can Help

  • Establish the strategic problem
  • Develop basic frameworks of competitive analysis
  • Compile relevant information about your company to provide an objective basis for comparison with competition
  • CI looks for and uncovers the “blind spots”
  • Use publicly available data to compile a detailed picture of your target and tap into miscellaneous and creative additional resources
  • Conduct deep digs – interviews, phone calls, contacts within the market environment
  • Compile data, create models, provide analysis – creating a clear picture of your competitor’s activities

Case Studies

Client
Our client was a firm specializing in the recycling of various hazardous chemicals commonly used in a variety of industries.

Assignment
We were commissioned to perform a study of certain competitors in specific markets in a highly competitive business segment. The competitors were generally small and privately held, making it exceedingly difficult to develop information on them.

Solution
Using primary and secondary sources, we were able to develop detailed profiles of the competition, including information such as: annual sales, cost of goods sold, vendors, customers, pricing strategies, compensation plans, expansion plans, and go to market strategies. This enabled our client to compete more effectively in that market segment.

Client
Our client was a firm that was entering new local markets by acquisition of smaller, regional competitors

Assignment
We were tasked to evaluate the relationships the acquisition target had with critical clients within a short time frame prior to deal closing as a part of the due diligence process

Solution
We were able to confirm not only the size of the client relationships, but also able to establish that the acquisition target was the vendor of choice for this service. No other vendors were used unless the customer was doing business outside their service area. In addition, we were able to locate an additional large client that hadn’t been disclosed, who was equally pleased with the vendor. We were able to identify employees of the target who were critical to retaining key customer accounts.

Client
An environmental services company wanted to better understand the Recycled Fuel Oil (RFO) market.

Assignment
They needed guidance on determining the potential customers, competitors, and pricing in various geographic markets.

Solution
We performed research and analysis that provided insight into customers, pricing, competition, and potential market that helped this client formulate effective strategies on how to compete better in this marketplace.

Client
An industrial services company needed to develop an understanding of market opportunities in the retail business sector.

Assignment
We were commissioned to study the stream of toxic waste generated by retail operations.

Solution
Through a combination of primary and secondary sources including on site interviews and observation, we were able to provide the client with an analysis of various retailers’ toxic waste policies and levels of internal compliance. This helped the client develop effective strategies to approach potential clients.

Epoch Insights is an Equal Opportunity Employer.