Choosing the right expert network is a decision that directly impacts the timeliness, relevance, and ultimate value of the intelligence you acquire. For any organization, whether a consulting firm, investment firm, or a corporation, having the right information with the aforementioned traits is extremely critical. 

This article will compare two approaches to help you select the expert network best suited to your strategic needs. These approaches are either choosing a large expert network or newer players in the market. For years, the answer seemed obvious: you’d turn to the global giants of the expert network industry. Names like GLG, AlphaSights, and Third Bridge are the gold standard, promising you a world of knowledge.

But the more niche your request is or the more local it is, you need to ask if that’s still the best approach due to the fact that the landscape of knowledge consulting is changing. This guide will walk you through the global vs. regional debate to help you decide which type of expert network will give you the competitive edge you need.

The Big Question You Face

Global Expert Networks Reach or Local Depth?

The expert network industry is a massive force, pulling in over $2.28 billion annually. The global players built this market on the promise of scale, which included vast databases with millions of profiles. It’s an impressive model, and it works when you need a broad, international perspective for your projects, for what could be information that is somewhat readily available. 

However, when your work requires granular knowledge of a specific market like the UAE or Saudi Arabia, you’ll find that a massive database can feel more like an ocean than a well-stocked lake. This is where you should consider regional specialists. An expert network like Infoquest, which lives and breathes the MENA region, won’t just hand you a list of names; it offers you a curated connection to the right expert who isn’t found in any database. 

Speed is Your Advantage

Get Answers in Hours, Not Days

In your world, time is the one resource you can’t get back. You may have experienced waiting the better part of a week for a global network to source a specialist tailored to the request. By the time they do, the conversation in your organization has already moved on, and the opportunity may have shrunk.

This is where you’ll see a stark difference. With a specialized network like Infoquest, the new standard is that the first list of experts are delivered within 2 hours of submitting your brief. Moreover, these would be custom sourced and vetted experts and not ones from large databases.

How is this done? Using a powerful combination of AI-driven matching and hands-on human sourcing. While you wait for traditional networks to manually sift through lists, this hybrid model can cut your connection time in half. You’re not just finding an expert; you’re finding the right expert, right when you need them.

Demand Quality Over Quantity

The Myth of the Million-Profile Database

Don’t let the sheer size of a database be the only thing that impresses you. Global networks might boast of 600,000 experts or 400 million profiles, but you should always ask: is it quality or just quantity? What good is a million profiles if most are outdated or only tangentially related to your specific niche query?

You’ll get more value from a focused network of 10,000+ deeply vetted, relevant specialists than from a sprawling list of unverified contacts. The proof is in the results. When you see a client satisfaction rate of 98% over 800+ projects in a short timeframe, as Infoquest has, you know it comes from making the right connections for clients like you.

What You Should Look For

Modern Tech and Local Compliance

Behind every great expert network is a technology platform, and you should ensure it’s up to the task. Many legacy platforms are clunky and struggle with modern security and compliance demands.

This is especially critical for you in the GCC. With new data privacy laws like Saudi Arabia’s 2023 regulations and the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 45, you need a partner who has built compliance from the ground up. You’ll have more peace of mind working with a platform designed specifically for the GCC’s rules rather than one trying to adapt a global system.

Your Final Verdict

A Hybrid Strategy for Expert Insights

So, which expert network should you choose? It’s no longer an either/or question. To be most effective, you should build a smarter, more strategic approach to sourcing knowledge.

Your best strategy will likely be a hybrid one. Use the global networks when you need a high-level view of international trends. But when your project demands deep, nuanced, and timely expertise in the MENA region, you should turn to a regional specialist like Infoquest. They will provide you with the local know-how, cultural fluency, and speed that global networks often can’t match.

By understanding these differences, you can move beyond simply finding experts and start building a true strategic advantage for your organization. 

Reach out to us here to build your strategic advantage with expert-powered insights.

References

https://www.growthmentor.com/blog/expert-networks/
https://cleverx.com/blog/the-rise-of-expert-networks-a-billion-dollar-industry-you-should-know-about
https://cleverx.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-expert-network-for-your-business
https://www.consultancy-me.com/news/9525/from-an-idea-to-a-leading-expert-network-infoquests-growth-journey
https://www.iqnetwork.co/the-power-of-custom-sourcing-experts-for-niche-strategic-projects/

https://www.iqnetwork.co/tech-shaping-the-future-of-middle-east-expert-networks/
https://cleverx.com/blog/traditional-vs-digital-expert-networks-the-changing-landscape-of-professional-insights
https://www.consultancy-me.com/news/8566/middle-east-expert-network-industry-to-see-strong-growth
https://inex.one/blog/expert-network-compliance
https://www.consultancy-me.com/news/7385/qa-with-omar-yamak-ceo-of-homegrown-expert-network-infoquest