Spying on my Competition

[Successful Selling]

I know there was a similar thread about this issue a few weeks ago, but I'm having problems finding conclusive information.

I have worked in sales for many years. When ever i start working for a new company I regularly phone and visit their competitors to learn about them. (Their prices, products, service, knowledge and (where possible) their future business plans).

Obviously, they have no idea who I am or who I work for.

There are rumours that this isn't allowed and I am breaking the law. However I am having a hard job confirming this information.

Does anyone know if this is the case?
Any links to the specific place where this is discussed would also be appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[altyfc]

I'm not aware of it being against the law (that doesn't necessarily mean that it is, of course).

However, how would anyone prove it? You could be a genuine prospective customer, even if you are working for a competitor.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

These are tough times you have to do what you have to do .I would not worry too much about.As far as your business is concerned you are doing the right thing
Nobody even knows that you do it

Untill this morning

 

[Ashley_Price]

I would have thought if this isn't allowed then half the major businesses would be shut down and the directors, etc. thrown in jail.

After all, a major part of your business should be keeping up with what your competitors are doing.

 

[PI Guy]

it depends on the scope of the investigation. If you start bugging their offices then obviously that's unlawful. Other stuff isn't.

 

[i234i]

I do this all the time, they have no idea who i am!
Especially when checking out new areas.

Check there Studio (as these things are harder to view as its not a public shop etc), Check prices, Space & all that etc!

 

[MarkHallett]

I'm not sure whether this helps....

We are direct competitors with Kashflow (Hi, Duane ) and of course we did our homework before entering the market.
However, we also made it our task to actually go and meet with many of our competitors. Some were very friendly (Kashflow included) and others not so.
This enabled us to understand the market better and also have a good working relationship with our competitors...

Just food for thought really....

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

BAT and the other one, send out reps to most of the retail outlets to do specifically this.

Cabbury's, Nestle & Mars reps are almost knocking eachother over in the rush to do the same.

 

[DuaneJackson]

I'm not sure whether this helps....

We are direct competitors with Kashflow (Hi, Duane ) and of course we did our homework before entering the market.
However, we also made it our task to actually go and meet with many of our competitors. Some were very friendly (Kashflow included) and others not so.
This enabled us to understand the market better and also have a good working relationship with our competitors...

Just food for thought really....

Hi Mark : )

It's well worth the effort. If we'd never met you guys then you'd be just another faceless competiitor. We've had plenty of opportunities to take snipe shots at you guys (and no doubt vice versa) but havent because we're all on friendly terms taking on the giants. Once we've got the majority of the UK over to SaaS then we can turn on each other!

Although over SaaS vendors that have acted like twats can go stuff themselves - they'd be fair game if they had any customers left for us to take!

 

[DuaneJackson]

There are rumours that this isn't allowed and I am breaking the law. However I am having a hard job confirming this information.

Sounds like you're talking about industrial espionage, which is a bit different from what you're doing.

Most businesses do what you do - I know my sales guys do.

 

[Martin P]

Hi Mark : )

It's well worth the effort. If we'd never met you guys then you'd be just another faceless competiitor. We've had plenty of opportunities to take snipe shots at you guys (and no doubt vice versa) but havent because we're all on friendly terms taking on the giants. Once we've got the majority of the UK over to SaaS then we can turn on each other!

Although over SaaS vendors that have acted like twats can go stuff themselves - they'd be fair game if they had any customers left for us to take!

Just out of interest, how many SaaS accounting companies are there now?
I know of you, and Mark,
Liquid Accounts,
and there is another one..

I should really change to SaaS soon

 

[DuaneJackson]

Just out of interest, how many SaaS accounting companies are there now?
I know of you, and Mark,
Liquid Accounts,
and there is another one..

I should really change to SaaS soon

There are loads, a new one every month atleast. But if they've not been able to get their name out there, I'm not going to list them!

 

[MarkHallett]

There are loads, a new one every month atleast. But if they've not been able to get their name out there, I'm not going to list them!

Here, Here Duane

Seriously though Martin, there are good SaaS accounting software on the market and well worth the time to research... As Duane would agree, installed software is so 1990's.....

 

[kajdan]

This is free market. I'm not a lawyer but I think it's not something illegal... You're only gathering information from the marker. Information which is available for any customer

 

[Martin P]

Here, Here Duane

Seriously though Martin, there are good SaaS accounting software on the market and well worth the time to research... As Duane would agree, installed software is so 1990's.....

I had a trial of Kashflow, and it is good.

But it would be good if one login could manage 3 businesses, but thats just asking wayy too much

 

[DuaneJackson]

I had a trial of Kashflow, and it is good.

But it would be good if one login could manage 3 businesses, but thats just asking wayy too much

We have that. But it'll cost you. www.partners.kashflow.co.uk (designed for accountants to look after multiple businesses)

If you want additional accounts, just drop support a line from your first paid-for account and they'll sort a discount for you on additional accounts.

 

[Martin P]

Cheers Duane, that's interesting, I didn't know that was available

 

[UKSBD]

Although over SaaS vendors that have acted like t***s can go stuff themselves - they'd be fair game if they had any customers left for us to take!

Strike 1

 

[DuaneJackson]

Strike 1

Good point. I was going to give myself a strike but the forum software doesn't let me. I'm sure one of the other mods will oblige. : )

 

[UKSBD]

Do I get one for quoting the post?

 

[DuaneJackson]

Do I get one for quoting the post?

I'm not sure. It's indecipherable. I think it might be acceptable for me to call you a ******* **** with a **** that is shaped like a **** and that you regularly ****** giraffes with your ****.

But when it's obvious what's intended, then it's strikeable. That's my take on it anyway.

For the pedants that want to refer back to this post (yes, that means you, ************) when they get a strike, ****** ***, it's a joke you **************!

 

[asonda]

I'm not sure. It's indecipherable. I think it might be acceptable for me to call you a ******* **** with a **** that is shaped like a **** and that you regularly ****** giraffes with your ****.

But when it's obvious what's intended, then it's strikeable. That's my take on it anyway.

For the pedants that want to refer back to this post (yes, that means you, ************) when they get a strike, ****** ***, it's a joke you **************!

he means me