Supporting the Development of Business Intelligence Functions for Leading Companies

Introduction

ICHINOYA, a forward-thinking company led by CEO Daiki Fukuda, has recently commenced a new service aimed at assisting organizations in establishing robust business intelligence functions. In the past six years, ICHINOYA has collaborated with over 20 of the top 200 companies in the prime market, helping them with business development and strategic planning across various industries, including automotive, shipping, aviation, metals, chemicals, and energy. Through more than 1,000 research and analysis projects, ICHINOYA has built a reputation for supporting businesses at every stage of their intelligence lifecycle—from ideas to operational implementation.

The Need for Business Intelligence

The term "business intelligence" encompasses a range of meanings and lacks rigid definitions. ICHINOYA defines this concept as the process of transforming collected data and text into actionable insights tailored to the unique goals and constraints of the organization or department, making it usable within internal decision-making processes.

Due to the complexities inherent in modern business environments, many companies have found themselves struggling to establish effective intelligence frameworks. Surveys and interviews with clients reveal several pressing challenges:

1. Increased Opportunities and Risks: The unpredictable nature of international affairs, shifting policies, and the expansion into new business areas has heightened the need for precise assessments of market opportunities and risks. Business leaders require both quantitative and qualitative evaluations to make informed investment decisions.

2. Information Overload and Quality Issues: The advent of digital information, DX, and advancements in AI technologies have proliferated methods for data gathering and organization. However, this has also led to difficulties in assessing the reliability and quality of the information, necessitating new strategies for information management.

3. Lack of Dedicated Analysts: As business conditions and strategic decisions become more intricate, the need for specialist information analysts grows. Unfortunately, many companies lack these experts, leaving employees in sales and planning to tackle complex issues without adequate support.

Improperly constructed intelligence frameworks hinder effective data analysis and insight generation, resulting in delayed decision-making during critical business planning moments.

The New Service Offering

To address these challenges, ICHINOYA is rolling out a service designed to strengthen the intelligence frameworks of businesses. This offering is structured into three key phases:

Step 1: Assessment

ICHINOYA leverages its experience to create a comprehensive overview of data sources utilized and analytical objectives through a structured "Data Source Database" alongside a consolidated "Project Knowledge" report. Utilizing these resources, ICHINOYA has developed an evaluation metric for the maturity of a client's intelligence framework, providing a dual perspective—subjective insights from company representatives combined with ICHINOYA's objective analysis.

Step 2: Proposal

Based on the findings from the assessment, ICHINOYA will suggest tailored strategies that align with the unique characteristics of the organization, whether it involves designing data utilization strategies, providing specialized analysts, or automating data collection and distribution processes.

Step 3: Implementation

ICHINOYA supports clients by embedding themselves into the client’s team, effectively operating as an extended arm through an OEM model. Their analysts possess a wealth of academic research methodologies, ensuring that each project is led by seasoned professionals with relevant industry knowledge.

Conclusion

As the business landscape continues to evolve and the demand for intelligence grows, now is the time to strategically design and implement an intelligence framework that meets your organization's specific needs. ICHINOYA's approach balances in-house capabilities and outsourcing, integrating AI and digital tools while maintaining necessary human oversight. The goal is to maximize the potential of business strategy development and create transformative value through effective intelligence systems.

Contact us today for more information on how ICHINOYA can support your business in navigating this complex environment with confidence.