Notre Dame College & Society for Competitive Intelligence Professionals NE Ohio Launch New Certificate in Competitive Intelligence

SOUTH EUCLID, OH-19 July 2006-Notre Dame College announced today a new Certificate in Competitive Intelligence (CI) to begin this fall 2006 through its Center for Professional Development. Notre Dame College continues to expand its Certificate in Intelligence Analysis , which was a first in Ohio with a Homeland Security emphasis. The CI Certificate is aimed at the business sector to help companies compete in the new global economy. The global marketplace has changed the landscape for many business and marketing individuals. The need to understand the world of competitive business and gather information in an ethical manner is essential. Large and small businesses, local, national, and international, are asking their marketing staffs to research, analyze, and predict the future competition to their product.

Notre Dame College’s Certificate in Competitive Intelligence is cutting edge. “The National Society for Competitive Intelligence Professionals is beginning work on a national certification. Our certificate program here at Notre Dame will be model for the national society to follow”, said John Petrunak, Director for the Center for Professional Development.

Competitive Intelligence analysts provide knowledge to pilot a company towards competitive success while maintaining the highest ethical standards. Awareness of the latest developments in information gathering, analysis, and dissemination as well as networking is a vital component of the CI field. “While some decision makers may attempt to sail blindly through the global marketplace, it is the duty of the trained CI professional to show them alternative courses that will avoid potential dangers, and to take advantage of the tactics and strategies that lead to bottom-line success. “ (Society for Competitive Intelligence)

The CI courses at Notre Dame College will blend some of the Intelligence Analysis Certificate for homeland security courses with new offerings specifically developed for the business sector. Working with business professionals and members of the Society for Competitive Intelligence Professionals of North East Ohio (Brad Raum, Dale Veres, Michele Settecase, Geary Soska, and Brian Holley), the certificate will consist of five courses offered on weekends. The certificate can be completed within one year.

Just as the college was first in the Certificate in Intelligence Analysis for Homeland Security in Ohio, NDC is meeting the challenge for today’s businesses, by offering this unique program for research, finance, marketing and other business personnel. The program is timely, flexible, tuition friendly, and is taught by local competitive intelligence professionals.

For more information on this new fall certificate, call 216-373-5286 or email jpetrunak@ndc.edu Registration for fall is open and space is limited.