Purpose of 1. Enterprise Research

Enterprise research refers to the systematic collection, analysis and evaluation of existing or potential benchmarking enterprises in the industry and market in which the enterprise is located, so as to understand the basic situation, strategic intention, advantages and disadvantages, behavior patterns and future development trends of benchmarking enterprises, so as to provide basis and reference for enterprises to formulate their own strategies and decisions.

The main purposes of enterprise research are as follows:

Understand the market environment. Through enterprise research, enterprises can grasp the scale, structure, demand, change and development direction of the market, as well as the number, type, distribution and market share of benchmarking enterprises, so as to have a clear understanding of the competitive situation and opportunities of the market.

Identify competitive advantages. Through enterprise research, enterprises can compare the differences and advantages and disadvantages between themselves and benchmarking enterprises in terms of products, services, brands, channels, technology, costs, quality, innovation, talents, etc., so as to find out their own competitive advantages and disadvantages, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of benchmarking enterprises, so as to formulate targeted competitive strategies.

Develop effective competitive strategies. Through enterprise research, enterprises can predict the strategic intentions, behavior patterns and future trends of benchmarking enterprises, as well as the impact and threats that benchmarking enterprises may have on themselves, so as to formulate effective competitive strategies to adapt to market changes and deal with benchmarking enterprises, such as differentiation, focus, alliance, acquisition, cooperation, etc.

Methods of 2. Enterprise Research

The main methods of enterprise research are as follows:

literature analysis. Literature analysis refers to the collection and analysis of public or semi-public literature of benchmarking enterprises, such as annual reports, financial reports, websites, news, advertisements, recruitment, patents, papers, etc., to understand the basic situation, strategic direction, performance status, market activities, technological innovation and other information of benchmarking enterprises. The advantages of literature analysis are that the information comes from a wide range of sources, easy access and low cost, while the disadvantage is that the information may be incomplete, inaccurate, untimely and biased.

Research survey method. Research and survey method refers to the benchmarking enterprise's internal situation, strategic intentions, behavior patterns, future plans and other information through face-to-face or telephone research with relevant personnel or third-party personnel of the benchmarking enterprise. The advantage of the research method is that the source of information is direct, true and in-depth, while the disadvantage is that it is difficult, time-consuming and costly to obtain information, and may be counteracted or misled by benchmarking enterprises.

Observational research method. Observation and research method refers to the field observation, experience and comparison of benchmarking enterprises' products, services, channels, prices, promotions, customers, suppliers, etc., to understand the market performance, customer satisfaction, supply chain efficiency, cost structure, quality level and other information of benchmarking enterprises. The advantage of the observational research method is that the source of information is intuitive, objective and real-time, but the disadvantage is that the scope of information is limited, superficial and difficult to penetrate.

Experimental research method. The experimental research method refers to the design and implementation of targeted experiments, such as simulated competition, test market, mysterious customers, phishing, etc., to understand the responsiveness, sensitivity, weaknesses, vulnerabilities and other information of benchmarking enterprises. The advantage of the experimental research method is that the source of information is effective, valuable and enlightening, while the disadvantage is that the acquisition of information is complex, risky and morally questionable.

Steps to 3. Enterprise Research

The main steps of enterprise research are as follows:

Determine the scope of the benchmarking enterprise. The scope of benchmarking enterprises refers to the collection of benchmarking enterprises that enterprises need to pay attention to. It can be divided according to different criteria, such as industry classification, market share, product similarity, geographical coverage, strategic groups, etc. The purpose of determining the scope of benchmarking enterprises is to narrow the object of enterprise research and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of enterprise research.

Collect information on benchmark companies. Benchmarking enterprise information refers to all kinds of data, facts, opinions, evaluations, etc. related to benchmarking enterprises, which can be collected from different channels and methods, such as literature analysis, research and investigation, observation research, experimental research, etc. The purpose of collecting benchmarking enterprise information is to obtain the original materials of enterprise research and provide the basis for benchmarking enterprise analysis and evaluation.

Analyze benchmark company information. Benchmarking enterprise information analysis refers to the collection of benchmarking enterprise information to organize, summarize, classify, compare, explain, infer, etc., in order to extract the core information of benchmarking enterprises, such as the basic situation of benchmarking enterprises, strategic intentions, strengths and weaknesses, behavior patterns and future development trends. The purpose of analyzing benchmarking enterprise information is to understand the characteristics and laws of benchmarking enterprises in depth, and to provide support for benchmarking enterprise evaluation and strategy formulation.

Evaluate benchmarking enterprise information. Benchmarking enterprise information evaluation refers to the comprehensive evaluation and judgment of the analyzed benchmarking enterprise information to determine the strengths and weaknesses, threats and opportunities, strengths and weaknesses and crises of the benchmarking enterprise, so as to provide a basis for the formulation of benchmarking enterprise strategies. The purpose of evaluating benchmarking enterprise information is to clarify the status and influence of benchmarking enterprises and provide direction for benchmarking enterprises to deal.

Develop a benchmarking corporate strategy. Benchmarking enterprise strategy refers to the development of specific action plans for benchmarking enterprises based on the analysis and evaluation of benchmarking enterprise information in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the enterprise. The purpose of benchmarking enterprise strategy is to take advantage of the disadvantages and opportunities of benchmarking enterprises, avoid the advantages and threats of benchmarking enterprises, and enhance their competitiveness.

The Case for 4. Enterprise Research

Shangpu Consulting is a professional strategic consulting company, providing strategic planning, market analysis, organizational change, innovation management and other consulting services to clients in various industries around the world. The benchmarking enterprises of Shangpu Consulting mainly include the following categories:

Internationally renowned strategic consulting companies, such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting, Bain Consulting, etc., have a wide range of customer bases, brand influence, industry experience and professional talents on a global scale, and are the strongest benchmark companies of Shangpu Consulting.

Excellent local strategic consulting companies, such as Washington Consulting, New York Consulting, Portland Consulting, etc., have high visibility, credibility, customer loyalty and market share in the local market, and are the most direct benchmarking companies of Shangpu Consulting.

Other types of consulting companies, such as management consulting, financial consulting, technical consulting, etc., have strong professional capabilities, technical advantages, solutions and partners in their respective fields, and are the most potential benchmark companies for Shangpu Consulting.

Through enterprise research, Shangpu Consulting has found the core competitiveness of benchmarking enterprises, thus formulating corresponding competitive strategies. The following are some specific cases:

Aiming at internationally renowned strategic consulting companies, Shangpu Consulting found that their core competitiveness is global vision, strategic thinking, innovative methods and excellent talents. Therefore, Shangpu Consulting's competitive strategy is to focus on the needs of the local market., Characteristics and opportunities, to provide more suitable, flexible and practical consulting services, shangpu Consulting has also continuously improved its international level, strategic capabilities, innovation capabilities and talent training, with a view to forming strong competition and cooperation with internationally renowned strategic consulting companies.

Aiming at the local excellent strategic consulting companies, Shangpu Consulting found that their core competitiveness is localized cognition, trust, relationship and resources. Therefore, Shangpu Consulting's competitive strategy is to differentiate its own consulting services and highlight its own professional advantages, technical advantages, industry advantages and customer advantages. At the same time, Shangpu Consulting also continuously strengthens its own localization operation, brand construction, market expansion and customer maintenance, in order to form a healthy competition and cooperation with local excellent strategic consulting companies.

For other types of consulting companies, Shangpu Consulting found that their core competitiveness is specialized knowledge, technology, solutions and partners. Therefore, Shangpu Consulting's competitive strategy is to alliance its own consulting services, establish cooperative relations with other types of consulting companies, and provide more comprehensive, comprehensive and efficient consulting services, shangpu Consulting also continues to expand its professional fields, technical level, program library and cooperation network, in order to form complementary competition and cooperation with other types of consulting companies.

Conclusion

Corporate research is an important strategic analysis activity that helps companies understand the market environment, identify competitive advantages, and develop effective competitive strategies. This paper introduces the purpose, methods and steps of enterprise research, and takes Shangpu Consulting as an example to show how to find the core competitiveness of benchmark enterprises through enterprise research, so as to enhance their own competitiveness. I hope this article helps and inspires you.