It can be challenging for executives to gain this perspective, though, since much of their information comes from employees within their companies. Even the most fair-minded and knowledgeable employees are likely to filter their information through their own company's biases. A knowledgeable outsider's perspective can be an invaluable resource.

Semiconductor industry executives often ask BDTI to provide advice or insight into big-picture technical and business issues. For example, executives at a leading processor company recently asked BDTI to help them understand the company's competitive standing. BDTI analysts prepared a one-hour briefing on the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This assessment was informed by BDTI's extensive reservoir of processor analyses and by the perspective gained from tracking the industry for over a decade. Jeff Bier, BDTI's president, delivered the presentation to the company's executive team and conducted a Q-and-A session with help from other BDTI experts.

Several of the executives felt that the seminar revealed competitive challenges and opportunities that they hadn't considered. Others commented that it confirmed their hunches or challenged their assumptions. Each executive, and the group as a whole, found it helpful to see their company—and its competitors—through the eyes of an independent, knowledgeable team of analysts. The company later engaged BDTI's services for an in-depth evaluation of its processors.