Research vs Intelligence part 1

As a competitive intelligence practitioner, your inbox is undoubtedly filled with "research requests" - everything from the hot topic of the day, to investigations of new competitor products and verifications of the latest rumors.  But how do you know if the research will truly add value to your organization?  Are these strategic requests, or an exercise in futility?  How do you separate the "need to know" from the "nice to know?" (blog) Ken Sawka, "Research vs Intelligence part 1," July 23, 2010

http://outwardinsights.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/research-vs-intelligence-part-1/