"For most (95%  or more) of your intelligence needs, all the information you will need to make crucial business decisions is available and readily accessible … provided you know where  to look ."  (Fuld, L.M. Competitor intelligence, N.Y. Wiley, 1985, p. 14)

Information is  needed on companies  prior to meetings with new business contacts, or for risk management, marketing, due diligence or for competitive intelligence.  Information needed therefore varies and may include: