Comparing Training and Certification in Competitive Intelligence
They say imitation is a form of flattery. We are very flattered. Since we pioneered the certification in the CI field, several other organizations moved into this space.
The variety of offerings may confuse managers who are looking to get certified by an externally accredited organization. We are the only organization authorized to carry the IACET logo on our site. IACET is the leading continuing education accreditation agency on a global scale.
People often ask us, so what is your difference? We thought we would make it easy for you to see the difference. So here is a simple comparison:
Alumni Discussion with Dr. Ben Gilad
FGH Academy of Competitive Intelligence | Other programs | |
---|---|---|
Accreditation | International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), the world’s leading standards setter in education and the only one to issue CEUs. | Either no external accreditation or “self-accreditation” or ISO 29990, Approved by German Federal Armed Forces. |
Alumni network | Longest running alumni network with a global base. 9,000-plus graduates, over 50% of the Fortune 500, alumni from 71 countries. | No data available |
Excellence of faculty | Creators of the CI field. Authors of 11 seminal books, founders all winners of SCIP’s Meritorious Award (highest award in the profession). | Assorted faculty, many not widely known, with few published materials directly in global CI theory and practice. |
Certified (CIP-I and II) alumni | 2,000+ | No data available |
Graduates apply knowledge immediately | Yes* | No statistics available |
Graduates receive promotion based on new expertise | Yes* | No statistics available |
Job retention rates resulting from certification | 89% | No statistics available |
Summary of differences
The FGH Academy of Competitive Intelligence is the foremost dedicated education and training establishment in the field of CI. Our founders, Leonard Fuld, Dr. Ben Gilad and Jan Herring started the field in the late 70s early 80s and since then shaped it and its Body of Knowledge. ACI is the undisputed thought leader in the field. As a group, ACI’s faculty introduced war gaming, strategic early warning and KITS to Corporate America and Europe. Its instructors have been continuously teaching CI for over three decades, and published some of the most important books in the discipline: Leonard Fuld’s book, Competitor Intelligence: How to Get It – How to Use It (Wiley, 1985) was the first to set the standard on collection and sources. Ben Gilad’s Early Warning (AMACOM, 2004) created the first model of strategic early warning for companies, and Business War Games (Career Press, 2009) brought war gaming to commercial enterprises. Our program is simple, straight forward, doesn’t waste your time on irrelevant topics or slide shows. Instead we build you a career. It is intense and rigorous. Our certificate, the CIP™ is the most widely recognized globally by both employers and recruiters. Just ask any of our alumni (you can find them on LinkedIn).In other words, you can study with the real masters.