Whose Job Is AR Doing?

Analyst relations (AR) is just one of a number of vendor professions that uses analyst research; if poorly positioned, however, AR winds up helping others fulfill their research needs while diminishing its own corporate value. AR professionals must recognize that they carry primary responsibility for influencing analysts, and, if they become sidetracked, their influence and effectiveness will suffer. AR professionals should clarify and limit their responsibilities for gathering research on behalf of others and free themselves up to study research for those insights about the analysts that will drive deep and influential AR programs.