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360-degree decision support for global executives: Economist Intelligence Unit.

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In the September 2008 issue of Searcher, I reviewed Business Monitor International, a respected source of political risk information ["Tools for Cross-Border Business Decisions: Business Monitor International," pp. 16-21]. In this issue, we'll take a look at another source of political risk analysis--the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

The most interesting lecture on the economy I have ever sat through was given by a 30-something Brit sporting a pink tie and a Sting-like haircut. That fellow was Robin Bew, chief economist of the Economist Intelligence Unit, and the venue was the 2005 SLA conference in Toronto. While I felt a bit of a disconnect between the stylish young economist and the venerable Economist magazine, it was clear that Bew knew what he was talking about. His 1-hour presentation on the global economy in terms of changing social, political, and business models was compelling. He actually made the subject interesting for me.

At the time, I thought the EIU just published the Economist. I didn't know that, as the business-to-business arm of the Economist Group, it provided a comprehensive suite of global research and advisory services with analysis and forecasts used by inquiring minds all over the world. In fact, for more than 60 years, hundreds of companies, governments, and universities around the globe have depended on the EIU for country, industry, and management analysis.

Because changing politics and economies in every country produce risk and complexity to business performance, companies need data and analysis to operate effectively overseas. As a part of its "360-degree decision support for global executives," EIU helps its clients make better decisions by providing electronic services and...

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