http://www.mikemace.com/stopflyingblind/archives/19 This is a book in progress, on the art and science of using external information (competitive info, market research, and advanced technology) to drive business strategy. Most companies do it wrong, or don't do it at all. There's a new section every week. Your comments are welcome. If you're new to this weblog and want to read the sections in order, check out the Chapters list at right and start from the top. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:06:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 http://www.mikemace.com/stopflyingblind/archives/19#comment-17 Wed, 07 Jun 2006 02:28:12 +0000 http://www.mikemace.com/stopflyingblind/archives/19#comment-17 Excellent comments, Avi! I agree with you about associative skills, and especially the term "slightly skewed." You want someone who looks at the world a little differently, who won't settle for the conventional explanation. This is starting to sound distressingly like an Apple commercial. <i>>>You called passion, “technolust,” which is the right description for competitive analysis of gadgets, but not so much for food services</i> You're right, it's passion. <i>passion must be mitigated by basic people skills....The ability to maintain objectivity needs to be assessed as well</i> Agreed on both. Between the two, I think objectivity is the most essential. It's possible to work with a brilliant analyst who has poor people skills (lock them up, feed them through a slot in the door). If you've ever watched the cable TV show House you'll know this personality, although in the real world they usually find a way to self-destruct eventually. But an analyst who loses objectivity is just a fanatic.