The content of competitive intelligence has expanded in many organizations to inform strategic decisions such as operational investments and mergers and acquisitions. But what is competitive intelligence (CI) and why it is curial for the success of today’s businesses?

To better understand competitive intelligence and learn how to leverage CI effectively, we welcome Jonah Lopin, CEO and co-founder of Crayon, an award-winning, industry-leading CI software company. Prior to Crayon, Lopin was VP Customer Success at HubSpot, served as a consultant at Deloitte Consulting and has worked in China focusing on entrepreneurship and non-profits. Lopin holds a Bachelor’s Degrees in Physics from Cornell and an M.B.A. from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Competitive intelligence (CI) is the process of gathering, analyzing, and using information about the competitive environment to support decision-making in business. Lopin explains that the goal of CI is to gain a deeper understanding of the competition, which can help businesses identify opportunities, threats, and make informed decisions. This ultimately is to gain competitive advantage.

When Lopin cofounded Crayon, they knew coming in that their purpose is to be impactful, innovative and fun. He added that Crayon was a story of “working on the wrong thing that led to the right thing.” In the process, Lopin and his cofounder realized that following the market’s interest is essential for building a successful solution that meets the needs of customers. By understanding the needs of the market, businesses can create products and services that meet those needs.

Lopin describes himself as “relentless – but having fun along the way.” While he considered himself to be relentless in what he does, he believes that it is important to have fun in the process.

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By Patthara Chandaragga