The merger between SCIP and the Frost & Sullivan Institute has been approved with overwhelming support (94% YES) by the SCIP membership.

As the SCIP members have been informed and a wide spread discussion is in full swing at the various intelligence blogs I would like to inform my blog visitors about the merger between SCIP and the Frost & Sullivan Institute (FSI) as a member of the Board of Directors of SCIP serving until 2011.

You might have realized that SCIP, as a non-profit organization is deeply depending on the tight business model raising funds via membership involvement in events the membership dues. Since the economic crisis impacted budget and travel decisions across the global SCIP members' companies and economies in a fashion and depth never seen before SCIP's thin balance sheet was threatened to the extend to shut down within months.

In my function as a board member to SCIP I was involved in the painstaking process to find the best solution for the current SCIP members and the global Competitive Intelligence community at large.

When swimming against the water fall you might grab any lose rock while floating but let me assure you that all hands were out to reach for ground, branches and stems for months.

The solution to merge with another not-for-profit entity with some similar goals and membership base as well as mutual content capacities appears to be a solid boat with which the entire global CI community (SCIP's and FSI's) can reach new horizons. This becomes clear with the below copy of the original membership note:

"...SCIP’s merger with the Frost & Sullivan Institute is in line with our organizational strategy, and will create financial security, maintain and grow membership value, and expand the visibility of competitive intelligence to a wider range of corporate senior management.

This merger will not change any services you currently receive as a member and will allow you to gain additional membership benefits in the future.

SCIP, as an institution and brand, will remain an autonomous, member-driven society..."

Moreover, the detailed elements of the merger should assure all members and the potential members of the future that great things are to become true as opposed an endless budget cutting, financial doomsday scenario:

"...This merger provides the Society with such valuable opportunities for increased membership growth, visibility, and service expansion that it would have justified acceptance on its own merits, notwithstanding the existing financial situation.

The merger provides for the continuation of the SCIP organization and brand as the non-profit organization devoted to providing membership value and enhancing competitive intelligence as a profession.

The merger benefits all of our membership constituencies, as it provides resources to grow the membership and stabilize the Society’s finances. Long term financial sustainability will also support the development of enhanced membership benefits.

The merger allows your Society to continue autonomous operation, led by a membership-elected Board of Directors. SCIP will benefit from the insight and experience of the two additional board members representing the Frost & Sullivan Institute: David Frigstad, Chief Executive Officer and Wyman Bravard, Chairman of the Board.

The merger will allow your Society to avoid the economic and structural stresses facing other non-profit associations. Most of the 86,054 non-profits in the U.S. are being forced to reexamine their financial structure and investments, and are contracting services, cancelling meetings, considering cessation of operations, or seeking alternative ways (including mergers) to maintain their operations. In a recent poll of CEO’s of non profits 90% were expecting change of some magnitude in the next year..."

Please understand that your concerns and questions as members will be thoroughly processed within SCIP structures dedicated to deal with this transition for the time being (see original SCIP members communication with the email address provided there).

Please allow the BoD and colleagues at SCIP to concentrate on a concerted effort. Rest assured that all your concerns and inquiries will be taken seriously and responded to shortly and thoroughly. Meanwhile there is a dedicated scip.org webpage available that will be updated as progress is made, including the following FAQ's:

Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions About the Voting Process:

1) How is the vote progressing?

2) When does the voting on the merger close?

3) Who is eligible to vote for the merger?

4) How was information about the vote given to the membership?

5) If I have not received this email, how do I obtain a ballot?

General Questions Regarding the Merger

1) How will SCIP operate after the merger?

2) How will the association be governed?

3) Will SCIP still be called SCIP?

4) Is SCIP merging with a for-profit company?

Take Advantage of a Full Range of Discounts for SCIP's 2009 International Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago!

JUST ANNOUNCED: Vendors Offer Minimum Eight Percent Discount on Services!
Participating vendors have agreed to offer a minimum discount of eight percent to all attendees who purchase services or products offered by the vendors. The discount is offered only to conference attendees, generating an immediate positive ROI.

Also...
Five Percent Off of Airfare
SCIP09 attendees are eligible to receive a 5 percent discount on airfare through American Airlines. To receive the discount, book your flight starting Monday, March 9 using the discount code A1849BF at www.aa.com.

Reduced Rates on Ground Transportation
We've secured inexpensive rates for ground transportation through the Airport Express Shuttle service.

Details:
http://www.scip.org/content.cfm?itemnumber=5782

A friendly reminder that the most important gathering of CI professionals this year is taking place in Chicago in April. As a CI professional, your attendance at our annual conference is not only a great added value for you and your work, but also a necessity for the field of competitive intelligence.

Fletcher/CSI, Navigate, Proquest, ThomsonReuters, Deallus, Cipher Systems, ICI, Sedulo, Bainbridge, Innography, BCC Research, Economist IU, GIA (Global Intelligence Alliance), ACI, Aurora, Dolcera, Evalueserve Ltd Bermuda, Bennion-Robertson, Strategic Analysis, InfoNgen, Fuld & Company, Power Capital, Strategy Software, Digimind, SIS Intnl Research, Financial Times, Alacra, Comintell, AIM Allis Info Mgmt, Sunfaith China, BioMedTracker, Acquire Media, QL2, Traction Software, Hoovers, ISI Emerging Mkts, I.S.I.S. - and many more.

I know budgets are tight. Most of our companies are feeling the pinch, which is all the more reason to be involved in this important event. I know that the opportunities available through this gathering of CI professionals are something nobody can afford to sacrifice. The information you garner in our education sessions will make your work more valuable and effective, and SCIP09 vendors are excited to supply attendees with the best service for the best prices.

And what could be better than bringing home top of class ideas and solutions to help your company to weather the storms even better?

Finding a way to attend SCIP09 is an investment in the future of our profession. SCIP is serious about making this the best and most accessible conference it can. We have discounts on hotels, airfare, ground transportation and even $100 off of conference registration, which is already lower than last year’s rate. We’re depending on you to join us because we know that the successes of competitive intelligence come from you.

I hope to see you in Chicago!

Happy New Year 2009

At the cross roads of another era in time that might again produce exciting, unexpected, welcomed and challenging moments and circumstances I would like to express one wish for you:

No matter how and where and what you celebrate the coming days and weeks I wish for you and your loved ones to be able to slow down, breath deeply, reflect on what is of most value for you and yours.

In facing those common values and re-energizing during this time of calm and love you will find new anchors for future's adventures to center you where you truly belong: in the middle of your and your loved ones values and ways.

So, as the year draws to an end - like the evening after a busy day wishes the sunlight farewell - let's be grateful for what was and hopeful for what will be.

Helsinki 2008, more Flickr pictures...

It is with great excitement and gratitude to all SCIP members who voted for me that I can report today that I was selected to represent and support the 3'000 SCIP members' requirements and needs.

As of the SCIP announcement the Board of Directors was strengthened by four new members serving from January 2009 a three year term in dedication to SCIP's renewed mission to become a truly global competitive intelligence organization.

Many thanks for your votes, support and please do never hesitate to challenge me in my eagerness and dedication to stand in for your needs as SCIP members and CI professionals at large.

In my role as a member of the Board of Directors I will introduce a dedicated blog and exchange platform under scip.jensthieme.com (shortly) to frequently exchange with SCIP members and all other CI professionals.

Following up with recent official SCIP communications that introduced this year’s candidates for the SCIP Board of Directors nomination I wanted to provide some more details of my own as a candidate.

But first things first:SCIP’s board.candidate to the SCIP Board of Directors I feel very well suited to represent the needs of any internationally oriented, future focused and demanding SCIP member as I am:SCIP is aiming for in the renewed strategic plan: to become a truly internationally oriented and globally acting association in support of you, a competitive intelligence professional with ambitious goals to fulfilpublishing (print and online) and speaking publically (incl. at SCIP summits & meetings) in support of this great profession of oursExperienced board member of the Swiss Competitive Intelligence Association, SCIA.networks with intelligence vendors, consultants, academics and other CI professionals, all in the spirit of win-win and enjoyable team work.profile and biography page.

You are entitled to vote + you deserve most suitable representation at

As a

- A Competitive Intelligence practitioner in a global leading role

- European (work based in Switzerland, living in Germany), past work experience in the US (5 years) and lived in another European country (France, 5 years) so I am a true ambassador for what

- An enthusiastic CI leader

-

- Established and managed far reaching performance

In order to keep this message brief: please vote for your future representatives at the SCIP board right from October 28 and consider me as your future champion to listen to your needs and fight for a better SCIP for you throughout my three-year term.

For more detail about myself please review my

Many thanks for your support and congratulations to yourself for taking advantage of your right to vote for your future SCIP representation. I will always be accessible and open to your inquiries for building a stronger global CI community together.

As a candidate to the SCIP Board of Directors I feel very well suited to represent the needs of all internationally oriented, future focused and demanding SCIP member.SCIP members I am exposed to daily routines, the struggles of many CI practitioners and the support needed to overcome these hurdles and to excel in this profession.

A Competitive Intelligence practitioner in a global leading role Like most

I can relate to most SCIP member request to be supported in a practitioner role with its very specific issues such as capacity constraints management buy-in (or the lack of it), education and growth.

European (work based in Switzerland, living in Germany), past work experience in the US (5 years) and lived in another European country (France, 5 years) so I am a true ambassador for what SCIP is aiming for in the renewed strategic plan: to become a truly internationally oriented and globally acting association in support of you, a competitive intelligence professional with ambitious goals to fulfil.

Having worked in the US for five years and in global leadership roles for many years from Switzerland, living in multiple countries over the years has enabled me to bridge cultural divides and to understand how international communities perform best.

An enthusiastic CI leader publishing (print and online) and speaking publically (incl. at SCIP summits & meetings) in support of this great profession of ours.

Also I can be a valuable supporter for participants and contributors to such events and initiatives.

Experienced board member of the Swiss Competitive Intelligence Association, SCIA (http://www.swisscia.org).
Local SCIP chapters and affiliates will find a knowledgeable and experienced CI association professional in me who understands the inner-workings and the issues and values of local associations and its membership.

I could certainly represent any association with their very specific situation and problems at the SCIP board for better support and to reach their goals in the bigger context of global CI by retaining their individual local characteristics and needs.

Established and managed far reaching performance networks with intelligence vendors, consultants, academics and other CI professionals, all in the spirit of win-win and enjoyable team work.

Jens Thieme – Overview of CI activities:
• Practitioner – Ciba Inc., Basel, Switzerland (Global Head of Market & Competitive Intelligence, Marketing & Sales Office, global headquarters)
• CI involvement: development and implementation of global intelligence function for improved marketing and sales excellence, intelligence strategies, sourcing processes, electronic dissemination, intelligence techniques, corporate web site development, Intranets and electronic publications, e-marketing, e-business. Author and presenter in Germany, Switzerland, and US. Founding member and board member of Swiss Competitive Intelligence Association (SCIA)
• SCIP activities: Authored chapter in CIF’s Starting a CI Function, presenter at SCIP events, European Summit Planning Committee (2008).
• Graduated from the Polytechnische Obserschule, East Germany, and has completed business education and apprenticeships in steel engineering, and retail sales.

Jens Thieme’s responses to questions:
1. What are the most important issues that SCIP and its membership face in the next three years? What ideas do you have to address these issues?

A1: Increasing travel cost and expenditure consciousness due to rising prices and economic slowdown will reduce classical networking opportunities. Also CI practitioners continue to struggle with recognition of the discipline within their own organizational environments and outside as clear career paths remain exceptions.

I envision to deploy and nurture modern technologies such as video conferencing and interactive online learning combined with interlinked online collaboration features. SCIP should extend networking facilities to formats that resemble what has been offered successfully during summits and chapter events towards lively online learning and sharing environments.

A SCIP Virtual University would offer professional education programs with certificates for the various CI sub disciplines, partly overlapping to related, classical business disciplines such as Strategy, Business Development, Marketing, R&D could offer the much needed edge in cross discipline recognition for CI practitioners and support their personal career developments.

I feel well suited to kick off such developments based on my professional experiences within a global corporate conglomerate.

2. Please share with SCIP’s members any concrete steps you would undertake to
make SCIP a more global society.

A2: Country champions in locations without SCIP organizations should be accessible for all SCIP members. These champions could assist in any membership and events topics as well as collect country-specific needs and specialties that should be fed back to the global SCIP organization.

In preparation to global summits for instance such a country champion could compile a contribution of that country to the summit as a presentation or catalogue of member requests. Also group tariffs for collective travel to global or other events (e.g. neighboring SCIP organization) could be arranged.

If any of those country specific efforts grows beyond a certain size SCIP should offer active support to create and implement a local chapter or any other suitable form of local SCIP organization to the benefit of its members.

I would feel compelled to establish this concept of country champions throughout the world.

3. Why do you want to be a member of the SCIP board? Which three characteristics or qualifications distinguish you to serve as a board member?

A3: As a member of the board to the Swiss Competitive Intelligence Association, a published CI practitioner and active presenter to CI and marketing events I feel compelled to increase my assistance to the cause of an ever growing profession. Serving at the SCIP board provides the most intense and valuable opportunity to be at the heart of international CI professional's true requirements and support their individual activities and developments.

Characteristics: In my 4 years in sales management at a management assignment in the US I learned that the real challenge only starts after the first NO by a customer. So does the fun! I apply this principle to my daily eagerness to be part of sustainable solutions. Also I have learned throughout my various professional endeavors how to multiply contributions and performance of individuals to a mutual effort that provides strong team results and fun environments to perform in.

Colleagues and friends value my sense of urgency when required and my creative approach to find solutions and ways of fruitful and exciting collaboration.

At this year's European Competitive Intelligence Summit in Rome Joe Goldberg, President of SCIP (Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals) announces the candidates for SCIP's Board of Directors.

It is with great enthusiasm that I can tell my readers and friends today that I am officially nominated to this year's Board of Directors election to SCIP for a three year term.

You can find the slate of candidates at the SCIP web site or directly via this link.

Please check back to my blog under the SCIP category for updates on the election and how you can support SCIP's process to become a truly international organization.