Expert Network Intelligence

A discussion about using expert networks like GLG to gain competitive intelligence and industry insights through paid consultations.

Key Benefits of Expert Networks

• Provides direct access to industry insiders and former employees
• Allows gathering of detailed competitive intelligence
• Can save significant research time (8-10 hours) through focused 1-hour consultations
• Particularly valuable for making large investment decisions

Example Use Cases

• Investment Due Diligence

  • Banks use it before taking companies public
  • Investors use it before making large investments
  • Gathering market intelligence before acquisitions

• Competitive Research

  • Understanding competitor operations
  • Learning about pricing strategies
  • Getting insights into internal processes

Cost Structure

• Typical rates range from $2,000-5,000 per hour
• Higher costs justified when:
  • Making large investment decisions
  • Saving significant research time
  • Getting otherwise inaccessible information

Expert Network Companies

• GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group)
• TGIS
• Intro

Best Practices

• Be specific with questions
• Focus on actionable intelligence
• Don't ask for confidential information
• Use for targeted research needs
• Leverage for competitive insights that would be hard to get otherwise

Limitations/Risks

• Need to avoid seeking confidential information
• High costs may not be justified for smaller decisions
• Quality of insights depends on expert selection
• Must verify information from multiple sources