Learning from Competitors: 21 Questions

A quick list of some items to study with regard to how your competitors operate:

1. How long have they been around?
2. What is their specialty?
3. What is their distinct advantage?
4. What is their main weakness?
5. Why would anyone select them?
6. What is their public image?
7. Is their image better than their performance?
8. Do they try to do too much?
9. Do they have superior focus?
10. Do they attract or associate with top performers?
11. Do they have an impressive list of clients or supporters?
12. Who are their allies?
13. Do they have any prime adversaries?
14. Have you lost business to them? If so, why?
15. Have they had any notable successes and/or failures?
16. Are they a direct or an indirect competitor?
17. Are they a potential ally?
18. If they were running your organization, what changes would they make?
19. What is their overall record?
20. Have you underestimated them?
21. Are they setting the rules?