Let’s be honest — I’m genuinely surprised by how many companies show little or no interest in studying their competition.
It’s like playing chess with your eyes closed.
The world is changing too fast to pretend that what worked yesterday will still work tomorrow.
There’s a saying: keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
And yet, many management teams believe they “know their competitors” simply because they’ve been in the market for years. I could understand it if they met their rivals on the golf course from time to time — but they don’t.
Where Do Companies Actually Get Their Competitive Insights?
In most cases — from their customers.
Usually when those customers are leaving.
It’s only then that executives start asking: what went wrong, why did the competitor win, and how did we miss the warning signs?
But competitor analysis shouldn’t be a reaction. It should be a continuous part of strategic management.
It’s not about copying others — it’s about understanding how the market is evolving and where your next opportunities might be hiding.
What You Gain from Competitor Analysis
A solid competitor analysis goes far beyond reviewing prices or product portfolios.
It provides valuable insight into:
- which products or services competitors are promoting,
- who they’re hiring and how they’re building their teams,
- how they communicate with the market,
- and what direction their business is heading in.
These aren’t trivial details. They’re strategic signals — data that helps companies make better business and investment decisions.
How We Do It at MarketHub
At MarketHub, we help companies take a broader, smarter look at their competitors — not just through financials or product comparisons, but by analyzing their digital behavior and strategic moves.
We track how they communicate, what they promote, who they hire, and how they expand their operations.
The result? Our clients gain visibility into market shifts before they happen, allowing them to plan, react, and innovate faster than others.
Competitor research isn’t a cost — it’s an investment in clarity and control.
Because only when you understand your environment can you design a strategy that truly moves your business forward.
So here’s the question — how often does your company actually analyze its competition?
Once a year? Every quarter?
Or only when your clients start leaving?