Structure of the CCIR Program

The CCIR program comprises 6 modules designed to build an expert knowledge in competitive intelligence research.

Orientation Module
Familiarize yourself with ICI’s online campus and meet your peers.

This intensive certificate program will sharpen your skills and optimize your research approach. Participants will learn how to obtain and analyze valuable intelligence from events and social media, how to protect and defend intellectual property rights, and how to excel in knowledge management.

Module 1: Trade Show and Event Intelligence 

Business trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, road shows, and other similar events offer unique opportunities to collect information about competitors, suppliers, customers, and key opinion leaders. To successfully exploit events, you need to design collection plans. Processing and validation of findings are then mandatory. This workshop will provide you with the necessary professional skills and techniques!

Module 2: Social Media Research & Analysis for Competitive / Market Intelligence

This workshop provides a deep-dive into social media sources. You will learn how to identify, retrieve, process, and validate critical intelligence. Beyond relevant content, you will be able to identify valuable quantitative and qualitative patterns and signals from the digital noise – typically generating opportunities and avoiding risks from your competitive environment.

Module 3: Patent and Intellectual Property Intelligence and Defense 

Intellectual property (IP), such as patents or trademarks, are powerful economic assets and require protection in order for them to remain a powerful competitive tool. This workshop will provide you with the necessary professional skills and knowledge to analyze various types of IP and obtain the best possible protection for your company's intellectual property. Learn how to interpret competitors’ IP strategies as one element of strategy implementation and develop ideas on how to pre-empt competitors’ moves.

Module 4: Knowledge Management to Improve Competitive / Market Intelligence Processes

Intellectual capital is an extremely valuable asset and Competitive Intelligence professionals especially can gain a competitive advantage by retrieving tacit and organizational knowledge and expertise from their peers. You will learn about the principles of knowledge management and how to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing within your CI/MI community.

Module 6 Projects

A critical element of the CCIR program is the learning application. Work on two supervised projects that address real-world challenges in your organization or industry context. You can balance your work commitments with the workload of this module

Module 6 Final Exam
Demonstrate your mastery of CI concepts through a written exam.

Benefits

• Earn a University Certificate of Advanced Studies degree including 10 credit points (CP) according to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).
• Our comprehensive and proven blended learning concept consists of in-class trainings and supervised on-line modules. Your learning success as well as our educational quality are our priorities.
• Profound competitive intelligence education.
• Learn how to use advanced sources for information and data collection. Your research performance will greatly benefit from a comprehensive base.
• Harness social media for advanced intelligence.
• Defend your company’s IP (Intellectual Property) and enjoy exploiting the know-how via knowledge management methodologies.
• Acquire the critical competences sought after by employers.
• International certificate perspective – enjoy courses around the globe.
• The CCIR is part of ICI’s flagship program “Certificate of Proficiency in Competitive Intelligence (CPCI)”.
• ICI’s certificate alumni receive discounts to further certificates and ICI’s conferences.

Amied at

• Competitive/Market Intelligence Analysts and Managers
• Market Researchers, especially for B2B markets
• Technology scouts/analysts
• Business innovators
• Entrepreneurs

Your support team

Enjoy a personalized, people-based learning experience that will make you feel supported at every step of your journey with the ICI.

• Your faculty will guide you through any content-related challenges.
• A dedicated helpline will support you with administrative steps, from application to receipt of your printed certificate upon completion of the program.
• One-on-one support is available during working hours (9am–5pm CET) to help resolve any technical issues.

Application Procedure

Places on our program are limited and are allocated on a strict first-come, first-served basis. We recommend that you submit your completed application form as early as possible, preferably six weeks before the program start date. The Admissions Committee will review your application and let you know the outcome as soon as possible. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about which program is most suited to your objectives or if you need any additional information.

About the Institute for Competitive Intelligence (ICI)

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Germany, ICI is a leading, independent institution dedicated exclusively to competitive/market intelligence education. With an international expert faculty, ICI provides world-class programs designed for working professionals from over 100 countries. Most participants work in B2B industries and generally have at least 10 years of professional experience. ICI’s proprietary programs guarantee a learning experience that is of superior quality, intimate and personalized for CI professionals. All programs are seamlessly interconnected, offering opportunities for you to continue your learning journey.