Yvonne Michal Davis

Owner & Principle @ ResearchINC

Cincinnati OH

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As a seasoned information professional with business and legal research experience, I want to continue my work as an independent professional and own an information business. . I have masters degrees in Library Information Systems and Organizational Management and certifications in Competitive Intelligence and Paralegal Studies.  Over 25 years experience in business, market and  competitive analysis.   Member of Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP). information.

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Professional Interests: Studying "disruptive technologies" What is BIG legal data?? Will AI change Legal Research forever?

Favorite Professional Books: The secret language of competitive intelligence and Blue ocean strategy

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Research completed includes: Researching US and international patents , Upscale Consignment, InHome Healthcare, Upscale  Beauty Salons, Food Truck Industry and Corporate Family Trees. 

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Reflections:

CI and law firms ?-Where's  the connection?

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Several years ago, I was not certain about an answer to this question.  Before returning to the legal field in 2002; I had been a CI analyst for a local company.  Part of my responsibilities there was to assist in the development of a CI initiative within our business unit.  After several years, the company underwent major structuring in preparation for an eventual merger and all CI functions were eliminated. 

 

As I began to reacquaint myself with lawyers and legal information services, I noticed the changing roles. Law firms are a lot about marketing these days.  Legal information centers are providing more than basic legal research assistance; there is an increasing need for business research and analysis and competitive intelligence. 

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At a time when corporate clients are reducing in house legal staff and consolidating legal work with outside firms; more law firms are using competitive intelligence to get an advantage.  CI in the legal environments is more about finding specific clients and understanding their industries and markets (sometimes before the client knows)  than applying segment and time date analysis. 

 

Sounds very much like life in any US company.   Law firms have been called “mini corporations” for years and about 4-5 US law firms are listed each year in Forbes’ top 500 privately held corporations. 

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Finding a champion

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Over 17 years of my professional work  life has been in US law firms.  Their organization of management committees and "practice group chairmen" is fairly standard in the industry.  How does one make a case for CI?

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The rule of thumb for finding CI champions in corporations is very similar to that in the legal world : cultivate at the highest level if possible – show benefits to senior attorneys and counsel.  Since senior attorneys routinely response directly to clients, having the tools of competitive intelligence can be very useful in understanding the client’s market, intellectual property and/or future mergers and acquisitions targets

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Please check my profile on LinkedIN for more information.