What are the steps involved in conducting a competitive analysis?

Competitive analysis plays a crucial role in crisis management. It allows companies to identify their competitors' weaknesses and areas of vulnerability, which they can then exploit to gain a competitive advantage. This could involve making technical changes or altering their brand image or positioning. In a crisis situation, this information can be invaluable in helping a company to pivot and adapt to changing circumstances.

Competitive analysis can help in understanding market trends by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of competitors. This can provide insights into potential opportunities or threats within the market. It can also reveal trends in terms of technical changes or shifts in brand image or positioning. Companies like McDonald's, Apple, Robinhood, and Netflix use competitive analysis to stay at the top of their industries.

Common mistakes to avoid while conducting a competitive analysis include not defining clear objectives, failing to identify the right competitors, not using the right metrics for comparison, ignoring market trends, and not updating the analysis regularly.