Internet Intelligence

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Internet intelligence is the product of meeting the needs of decision makers with highly relevant information from various online sources. The knowledge that is produced must be available via various forms of media to ensure it may be used by all decision makers to adapt to current changes in the business environment.

To benefit from the various products that can be generated from internet intelligence, firms must have access to the correct frameworks and research methodologies to gather information. This is a four-step approach to collect internet intelligence on an ad hoc basis.

Step 1: Define The Search

At this first stage, researchers should establish some boundaries in which to conduct the query. The boundaries must take into consideration:

a) What the user needs to know? b) What are the keyword(s) that can be used for the search? (Content vs. Format) c) What is the scope of search in terms of time and location? d) How much time should be budgeted for the search?

Step 2: Evaluate and Select Sources

Working within the boundaries built by responding to the questions above, researchers should have a number of options to execute the search. There are various factors that can influence the selection of a source to find information:

a) Relevancy b) Access (# of users) c) Value added services d) Price

After the exhaustive evaluation process, selecting the right information sources is critical. Selecting the correct sources entails matching the existing sources with the defined search boundaries in the first stage of this approach. Some of the sources that are considered in the picking sources to be used in search queries include:

a) General search engines b) Publications c) Web 2.0 d) Premium content services

In case of insufficient number sources, organizations must invest the necessary funds to acquire additional resources to provide the best information available to users.

Step 3: Find The Answer

Equipped with the proper sources, individuals can endeavor to find the answer(s) to the defined question. In order to conduct an efficient search, a structured methodology should be in place. Although there are many search methodologies for business information, there are some basic elements that any good methodology should encompass:

a) Keyword (s) Selection – Consider using industry terms and jargon. In addition, list similar

  terms that could describe the topic that is being researched.

b) Syntax selection – Be aware of the search operators that can be used in a search syntax to

  obtain relevant results. 

c) Timeframe – Set a timeframe in which the information could be available online. This assist

  in defining the scope of the research in terms of when the answer was or is available.

Step 4: Producing Intelligence

At this stage, individuals must reply to the question in the form of internet intelligence to be used strategically. The end product should present the results of matching one or many possible answers to the query. Remember, users of internet intelligence are seeking to support their decisions with substantiated facts.

Step 5: Obtain Feedback

This mechanism allows researchers to improve the product they have created for their users. Users must be able to provide their feedback in terms of the answers that have been provided to address their questions. Feedback can be delivered in different forms and should be used to improve the internet intelligence gathering process.

In 2006, the Montreal-based company, Intelegia[1] created The Internet Intelligence Approach (TM), as known as, "The ii Approach". The framework ensures that the right information is available to the right individuals in an organization.

Would you like to know more on internet intelligence? Consider visiting the following online resources:

1) ResourceShelf link title 2) Ian's iBlog link title 3) Intelligent Agent link title