It’s not easy to get detailed, updated information about your competitors: their strengths, weaknesses, and current practices; or about organizations that are engaging in certain endeavors that are relevant to what you think you may be doing in the future.

You can speak to their former employees and pore over every comment about the firms in the press and online, but still, you’re just getting a map.

Maps, as you know, are somewhat handy, but they aren’t the territory.

How can you get into organizations to learn about them?

One way is by proposing a joint venture and another is by applying for one of their advertised positions, says Dr. Gary S. Goodman, popular keynote speaker & seminar producer, best-selling author, and consultant to the Fortune 1000.