Introduction and Welcome

Die Sitzung beginnt um 9:00 Uhr MEZ mit einer Begrüßung durch Rainer Michaeli, Direktor des Institute for Competitive Intelligence (ICI). Es wird darauf hingewiesen, dass die Sitzung aufgezeichnet wird, um allen Teilnehmern – auch jenen in anderen Zeitzonen – den späteren Zugriff zu ermöglichen. Diese Einführung dient dazu, Erwartungen abzugleichen und markiert den offiziellen Startschuss für die FCCI-Zertifizierung.

Overview: Education at ICI

The presentation outlines the ICI’s comprehensive educational framework, which is structured as a four-step career path designed to take professionals from novice to expert levels in market and competitive intelligence.

• Step 1: The entry point usually involves standalone Workshops and Webinars. These are short-term engagements designed to introduce specific concepts or refine particular skills without a long-term commitment.
• Step 2: This is the core systematic education phase, offering the FCCI (Fundamental Certificate) for analysts and managers, or the SCIE (Strategic Competitive Intelligence) program for executives.
• Step 3: For those seeking mastery, the institute offers specialized certificates. These include the CCIR (Research), CCIA (Analysis), CCIM (Management), and CCS (Strategy). These allow graduates of the fundamental program to deepen their expertise in specific verticals.
• Step 4: The pinnacle of the educational path is the CPCI (Certificate of Proficiency in Competitive Intelligence), representing the highest level of comprehensive certification.

Underpinning all these steps is NEXUS, the ICI’s lifelong learning community. NEXUS provides a platform for continuous professional development and networking, ensuring that learning does not stop once a certificate is awarded.

Highlights of the FCCI Program

The FCCI program is detailed as a rigorous, accredited "University Certificate of Advanced Studies," tailor-made for working professionals who need to balance education with a demanding career.

• Workload: The program encompasses approximately 450 learning hours. This is not just classroom time; it includes preparation, post-processing, and project work.
• Blended Format: The curriculum utilizes a flexible blended learning approach. It combines self-paced study modules, which can be done on the student's own schedule, with about 10 scheduled live teaching days.
• Flexibility: Participants can choose a fully remote learning path or a hybrid model that includes in-person attendance at workshops.
• Core Value: The objective is to equip participants with proven tools and techniques to understand and analyze competitors and markets. The program promises to elevate a company’s CI/MI activities by moving beyond basic data collection to strategic analysis.

Program Organization

Organizing one's study schedule is described as a manageable task that requires discipline rather than "rocket science." The learning methodology is cyclical, consisting of four distinct phases that repeat for each module:

1. Preparation (Self-paced): Before any live event, students must log in to Moodle to access readings and introductory materials. This ensures everyone starts the workshop with a baseline level of knowledge.
2. Live Events: These are the fixed points in the calendar—interactive workshops (remote or in-person) where active participation is required.
3. Deep-dive (Self-paced): After the live session, students return to Moodle to consolidate what they have learned through further reading or exercises.
4. Application: The cycle culminates in the application of knowledge through the two major projects and the final exam.

Students are strongly advised to check the ICI website or newsletter for live event dates and block them out in their calendars well in advance to avoid conflicts.

Webinars and Workshops

This section clarifies the distinction between the two primary types of live instruction offered:

• Webinars: These are generally shorter, topic-specific sessions often focusing on emerging trends or niche skills. Examples include "The AI-Literate Analyst," which focuses on turning regulation into competitive advantage, or sessions on "Optimizing Your Company's Intelligence Collection Practice." These serve as excellent supplements to the main curriculum.
• Workshops: These represent the core "building blocks" of the certification. Specific modules mentioned include ICI-1 (Competitive/Market Intelligence Basics), ICI-3 (Reporting and Communication), and ICI-6 (Fundamental Analysis Methods). Each workshop is an intensive training unit that forms a mandatory part of the credit requirements for the certificate.

Certificates

The FCCI is contextualized within the broader portfolio of ICI certificates. The presentation displays a schedule of upcoming certificate intakes (e.g., starting January 19, 2026). It highlights that the FCCI is not a standalone product but part of an accredited system that allows for credit transfer and accumulation towards the University Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS). The structure allows participants to see how the FCCI relates to other offerings like the Strategic Competitive Intelligence (SCIE) certificate or the Certificate of Proficiency (CPCI), providing a clear roadmap for future educational investments.

Conferences

The annual International Competitive & Market Intelligence Conference is introduced as a critical element of the ICI ecosystem. Scheduled for June (e.g., June 23-25, 2026), this event is branded as a "Learning Journey." It is distinguished from standard industry conferences by its focus on education and interactivity. The conference includes "Intensives," workshops, and "Conference Days" filled with expert speakers. It serves as a vital venue for networking with peers, discussing real-world challenges, and gaining exposure to the broader CI community beyond the classroom setting.

Scheduling Your Certificate

A detailed visual timeline (Gantt chart style) is presented to help students visualize their year (e.g., 2026).

• Phase 1 (Jan-Feb): The year begins with the Orientation Module, followed immediately by the "Fundamentals" track, covering efficiency, reporting, and basic analysis.
• Phase 2 (Feb-Mar): The curriculum advances to specialized skills, including "Advanced Research (Web Intelligence/OSINT)" and "Elicitation Skills."
• Phase 3 (Self-Paced): As the live workshops conclude, the schedule transitions to a self-paced mode. This period is dedicated to the "Capstone Assignment" and the two major application projects (Project I and Project II).
• Phase 4 (Review & Exam): The timeline culminates with a review period followed by the final exam. Throughout this entire timeline, "Individual Coaching" and "Knowledge Hub Support" are available as continuous layers of support.

Your Support Team

To ensure participants never feel lost, the dedicated support team is introduced with contact details and roles:

• Program Director: Rainer Michaeli is the primary contact for all curriculum-related questions, academic guidance, and content queries.
• Technical Support: Thorsten Bill is the go-to person for any IT issues, specifically regarding Zoom access, Moodle login problems, or technical glitches during sessions.
• Administrative Support: Nadja Wachsmann handles all logistical aspects, including enrollment, billing, scheduling changes, and general program administration.

Moodle – The Knowledge Hub

Moodle is described as the central nervous system of the program, referred to as the "Knowledge Hub." It is divided into two distinct sections:

• Workshop Access: For every specific workshop (e.g., ICI-1), there is a dedicated page containing faculty instructions, "Pre-readings" (what to study before class), handouts for the session, the Zoom manual, and a "Miro practice parkour." It also includes post-workshop assignments and a forum for interacting with peers and faculty.
• Certificate Access: This restricted area is exclusively for FCCI candidates. It contains high-level administrative briefings from the Program Director, the specific "Battle Card" or "Strategy" project guidelines, and all necessary information regarding the remote proctored exam.

Digital Tools: Miro and Zoom

The session outlines the technical toolkit required for successful remote participation:

• Miro (Whiteboarding Tool): Miro is the digital alternative to physical flipcharts. It allows for real-time collaboration during group exercises. Participants are reassured that they do not need a paid account; "guest access" is sufficient. They are strongly encouraged to use the "training parkour" link provided to get comfortable with the interface before the first workshop.
• Zoom: As the delivery platform for live sessions, technical hygiene is paramount. Participants are urged to download the latest version of the Zoom client to ensure all features (like breakout rooms and polls) work correctly. The "30-minute rule" is emphasized: log in 30 minutes before the session starts to troubleshoot any camera or microphone issues, ensuring the workshop can begin on time.

Methodology: Case Studies

The pedagogical approach of the ICI heavily utilizes Case Studies, with the "Volocopter" case cited as a prime example. The rationale for this method is threefold:

1. Shared Context: It creates a unified business scenario that all participants can discuss, regardless of their actual industry background.
2. Safe Environment: It allows students to practice methodologies (like War Gaming or Four Corners Analysis) without the risk of revealing confidential data from their own employers.
3. Broadening Horizons: It forces analysts out of their comfort zones by exposing them to new business models, varying depths of data, and unfamiliar competitive dynamics, thereby sharpening their general analytical skills.

Projects and Examination

The session details the two critical hurdles for graduation:

• Application Projects: Participants must complete two individual projects. These are not theoretical essays but practical applications of CI skills (e.g., creating a Battle Card or a Market Entry Study) ideally based on real challenges within their own organization. These projects are mentored, meaning students receive feedback during the process.
• Final Examination: The program concludes with a comprehensive online exam. It is remotely proctored and covers the full curriculum. It tests not just memory, but the ability to apply strategic concepts.
• Objectives: The ultimate goal of these assessments is to certify that the graduate can professionalize their CI toolbox, use AI-driven tools efficiently, and master the art of generating "actionable insights" that drive actual business decisions.

Q&A

The orientation wraps up with an open Q&A segment. This is an opportunity for participants to ask specific questions about the duration of the exam (2.5 hours), the submission format for projects, or how to handle scheduling conflicts for specific workshop dates. The facilitator ensures all immediate concerns are addressed before the participants embark on their first module.