Winning Research Strategies
for Case Competitors
Mark Bodnar
[email protected]
Today
1. Resources, with a focus on free
2. Public vs. private (x2)
3. How can I get to the best data, fast?
• What is the “best” data?
• Who might have published it? (Why?)
Case Competition Research Strategies
2
October 2015
Cool stuff
consulting
firms
dashboards
in Passport
free articles and
datagraphics from
private research firms
IBISWorld
globalEDGE
Insights by Industry
SSRN
local governments
Case Competition Research Strategies
NIRA
Google
site
limiting
3
DOAJ
proximity
searching
NetAdvantage
SimplyMap
ORBIS
October 2015
Public vs. private (x2)
Case Competition Research Strategies
4
October 2015
<Ahem…>
Here's how Steve's neighbour describes him:
"Steve is very shy and withdrawn, invariably
helpful but with little interest in people or in
the world of reality. A meek and tidy soul, he
has a need for order and structure, and a
passion for detail."
Is Steve more likely to be a librarian or a
farmer?
Adapted from “Thinking Fast and Slow” by
Nobel prize winner Daniel Kahneman.
Case Competition Research Strategies
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October 2015
More from Kahneman
Two modes of thinking:
System 1
System 2
fast
intuitive
associative
metaphorical
automatic
impressionistic
uncontrolled
slow
deliberate
effortful
Case Competition Research Strategies
simplifies
assumes
tires easily
6
October 2015
Key skill
• Get a solid grounding in the
“thinking” skills needed to do
research. (System 2)
• Practice them until they become
instinctual. (System 1)
Case Competition Research Strategies
7
October 2015
Practice #1
How can I get to the best data, fast?
• What is the “best” data?
• Why would anyone collect and publish
that info?
• Who might have collected/published it?
Case Competition Research Strategies
8
October 2015
Practice #1
Debrief:
• What were your criteria for “best”
data?
• What reasons for collection did you
come up with?
• What organizations did you identify?
• How did you find those orgs?
Case Competition Research Strategies
9
October 2015
Practice #2 (& 3, 4, 5)
How can I get to the best data, fast?
• What is the “best” data?
• Why would anyone collect and publish
that info?
• Who might have collected/published it?
Case Competition Research Strategies
10
October 2015
Practice #2 (& 3, 4, 5)
Debrief:
• What were your criteria for “best”
data?
• What reasons for collection did you
come up with?
• What organizations did you identify?
Case Competition Research Strategies
11
October 2015
Eek! Stop now!
My brain is full.
Where can I find you if I
need help later with all this
stuff?
Case Competition Research Strategies
12
October 2015