No business is an island. For success, the business will need to deal with customers, suppliers, employees, and others. In almost all cases there will also be other organisations offering similar products to similar customers. These other organisations are competitors. And their objective is the same - to grow, make money and succeed. Effectively, the businesses are at war - fighting to gain the same resource and territory : the customer. And like in war, it is necessary to understand the enemy:
how he thinks;
what his strengths are;
what his weaknesses are;
where he can be attacked;
where the risk of attack is too great....
and so on. And like in war, the competitor will have secrets that can be the difference between profit and loss, expansion or bankruptcy for the business. Identifying these secrets is thus crucial for business survival. But all this is not new...
Sun Tzu and the Art of War 
Around the year 500 BC, the great Chinese military strategist, Sun Tzu wrote a treatise on the Art of War. From a 21st century perspective, many of Sun Tzu's approaches would be viewed as barbaric today. Nevertheless, his views on strategy are still relevant today - for both military commanders and business leaders looking at how to win against competitors. For instance:
If you are ignorant of both your enemy and yourself,
then you are a fool and certain to be defeated in every battle.
If you know yourself, but not your enemy,
for every battle won, you will suffer a loss.
If you know your enemy and yourself, you will win every battle.
Who is a competitor in business?
Business competitors are:
1. Other organisations offering similar products or services now.
2. Organisations that could offer the same or similar products or services in the future.
3. Organisations that could remove the need for a product or service.
Why monitor competitors?
By knowing our Competitors we may be able to
predict their next moves,
exploit their weaknesses
and undermine their strengths.
Customer's usually know the differences between companies - their good points and bad points. They know that company A is cheaper than company B and that company C has a better after-sales service. For a business to operate in a market and not know the same, and more, is tantamount to giving up the battle without even starting. As Frederick the Great said:
Donovan Craig brings his experience and accomplishments to Find Out Investigations.
· An outstanding and successful financial services professional for the last eight years in Atlanta Ga.
· Proven “ Rainmaker” in sales.
· Highly motivated and hard working.
· Entrepreneurial and innovative personality.
· An effective business leader and teacher, consistently building and training top performing sales teams.
· Possessing a sophisticated understanding of the financial markets and refined expertise in sales technique. Successful in both selling and servicing high net worth retail clients and developing relationships with institutions.
· Highly articulate. Communicates effectively and persuasively both verbally and in written form.
Donvan Craig has had a number of Key Accomplishments in his business career. He is managing editor of the highly respected Fight tm magazine.
· Within one year of joining JP Turner recorded the highest monthly gross commission in the firms history to that date, the top annual gross commission production and won “ Broker of the Year” award.
· Constantly acquiring new business and striving for ever greater success was also awarded the national firm award for “ Most New Accounts” in 1999
· Awarded over 25 firm wide sales awards over eight years.
· Had integral role in recruiting many of the firms other premiere employees and top producing brokers.
· Built and maintained a broker book of almost 2000 clients.
· Experienced building superstar sales teams. Recruited and trained many beginning brokers preparing them for success. Created two of the three top producing teams in firm history.
LICENSES AND PROFESIONAL ACCREDIDATIONS
NASD Series 7, 6, 63, 66 securities licenses as well as Life Insurance and fixed and variable annuities licenses. Bachelor's degree from Mercer University in Finance and Economics.
Education
Mercer University
1991-1996
Majored in Finance and Economics
Minors English and Philosophy
