Market Intelligence is the first of 4 categories - a bundle of the best practices of fast growth companies for understanding their markets and driving their ability to compete. The goal of the show is to provide an understanding of how it is practically applied and what are the best practice drivers.

This is the start of a new series of 43 shows detailing the 4 Categories, 34 Best Practices of Fast and Sustainable Growth, and Lessons Learned. This session will overview how the research was conducted and lessons learned over the last 3 years of application.

There is no first here, you can start with the brand externally or with the brand internal. However both have to be done early and compatible. The brand inside means what are your mission, vision, and values (operating principles) for the company. These govern behavior and make it easily to build a world class organization, and must be compatible with branding in the marketplace. Otherwise your company is promising something it can't deliver.

Once you have decided on the primary and secondary value proposition for the business, which business model(s) are going to use to do business in a new way?

If you are on board for Doing Business in a New Way - where to start? Beginning at the beginning is about deciding between the only 3 options available: Price, Product/Service Quality, or the Customer's Experience. Market Leadership = Strong in one, Good in another. Being good in all three is not possible - what is primary and secondary value proposition?

Six of six - a superior business idea is a great thing but the inability to execute will ensure failure. How a company is managed through all the challenges of growth ultimately separates market leaders from could-have-beens.

Fifth of six sessions covers building a network of alliances and partnerships. If your business model is based on minimizing costs and maximizing margins, the best way to break into new markets, develop new technology is by finding others who are willing to trade strengths - the essence of an open source organization.

Fourth of six sessions covers creating exponential returns throughout the operation; sales, margins, invested capital. Whether you are publicly traded or have investors, the business must return investments in its growth at rates of return that exceed the current market.

Third of six sessions covers how monumental risks can also be calculated risks. Playing it safe is something you should have done by staying at your previous job. By becoming an entrepreneur the largest risk has been already taken, what possibility can happen that is positive by playing it safe? Be daring with a new business model attacking competitors that don't see it coming is where the game is won.

Second of six sessions covers pursuing low cost, high margin, and high probability market opportunities. Who are the customers with the highest unmet or under met needs with the highest financial returns? and How do we win that business at the lowest possible cost?