“Applying Intelligence to Business Strategy” with Jonathan B. Smith

Summary
Jonathan B. Smith (X (x.com/chiefoptimizer?lang=en); LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/o4g)) joins Andrew (X (twitter.com/spyhistorian); LinkedIn) (linkedin.com/in/andrew-hammond-09344936) to discuss the application of intelligence to entrepreneurship. Jonathan is an entrepreneur, author, and business strategist.

What You’ll Learn
Intelligence

• Building high-performance teams

• Case officers vs. entrepreneurs

• Networking and overcoming operational challenges

• Curiosity as a key trait for success

Reflections

• The will to succeed

• The power of listening and empathy

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week
“I often switch languages …I'll speak from a medical CEO's perspective versus a financial services CEO perspective. And people, when you use their language, they tend to lean in. They're like, “Oh, you understand me.” It's fascinating – People don't want to know how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Jonathan B. Smith.

Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*

•
The Cyber Behavioral Profiler (thecyberwire.com/podcasts/spycast/656/notes) with Cameron Malin (2024)

•
The FBI Hostage Negotiator (thecyberwire.com/podcasts/spycast/655/notes) with Chris Voss (2024)

•
Spying and Start-Ups (thecyberwire.com/podcasts/spycast/568/notes) with former Assistant Director of the CIA John Mullen (2022)

•
From the CIA to Strategic Cyber (thecyberwire.com/podcasts/spycast/529/transcript) with Hans Holmer (2022)

*Beginner Resources*

•
What Do Entrepreneurs Actually Do? (youtube.com/watch?v=rdG0x8uDEGc) Foundation for Economic Education, YouTube (2019) [3 min. video]

•
What is EOS? (eosworldwide.com/what-is-eos) Entrepreneurial Operating System (n.d.) [Fact sheet]

•
Case Officer (cia.gov/careers/jobs/case-officer), Central Intelligence Agency (n.d.) [Job description]

DEEPER DIVE
Books

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Sell Like A Spy: The Art of Persuasion from the World of Espionage, J. Hurewitz (Diversion Books, 2024)

•
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, C. Voss & T. Raz (Harper Business, 2016)

•
Optimize for Growth: How to Scale Up Your Business, Your Network and You, J. B. Smith (Chief Optimizer, 2015)