- Analytical (obviously)
- Good writer
- Able to craft narratives and communicate them in various channels and modalities
- Can see context and provide it for others
- Able to frame issues that actually matter vs hype or what some term, shiny objects
- Know how to collect quality and useful data
- Networking demon
- Capable of grasping nuance
- Critical thinking skills
- Understands the revenue side of things for markets as well as your own firm
- Can identify what is market ready vs vaporware or a science project
- Willing to grind, because sometimes that is the job
- Some aptitude for technology, more so in some sectors
- Can identify the real value proposition (if it exists) in what is being presented them
- Guards professional integrity like gold
- Knows the appropriate things to say depending on the forum or medium
Thinking About a Career in Industry Analysis?
Considering a career or at least a stop in market research or industry analysis? There are several reasons why someone would want to enter the field. The job requires being able to call upon a diverse skill set to address problems that need solving or questions that need answering. The results produced, at times, can have a tremendous impact on business decisions, both tactical and strategic and with wide reaching impact. Or perhaps the contribution may be less earth shaking but nonetheless, still important to the clients you will serve.
Here is a list of necessary attributes that I have observed. Can certainly add more but as a starting point: