Harnessing the Power of Intelligence, Counterintelligence & Surprise Events

This book covers the organization, leadership, tools, practices and culture of intelligence. It reveals a powerful framework comprising new instruments, platforms and breakthrough concepts to address intelligence issues facing professionals and decision-makers, at the national and corporate levels, post September 11. Armed with a wide variety of real-life examples and road maps from business, government and the military, the author demonstrates how the framework can be applied to win customers and allies, seize opportunities, anticipate threats, shield assets from adversaries, and gain insights into the mindset of stakeholders, by legal and ethical means. The content is based on Harvard University Global System™ management road maps pioneered by the author Alain Paul Martin.

The failure to act on valuable intelligence is legion. About half of the book addresses this issue with new instruments for intelligence analysis and interpretation. A full chapter focuses on anticipating and managing surprise events, and another covers the application of the issue-incubation cycle, as an early warning system. Neglecting this cycle can result in undue risk exposure and flawed decisions. In addition, acting on valuable intelligence requires the commitment of a team, with members playing complementary roles. Otherwise, too many important ideas, intelligent trails and even great goals and missions are abandoned. The book examines the power, status and role of the catalysts of intelligence-led change. It also introduces new intelligence tools used to analyze the perceptions and behavior of consumers and other stakeholders.

The book is suitable for general audiences. Learning about intelligence can help each of us make wiser choices, work better and be a more informed and accountable citizen. Technical terms are explained thoroughly. Real-life examples about people and important issues will be fun to read, talk about, both at work and to stimulate discussions and give your staff or students a primer on intelligence.

All in all, this is an excellent, timely and easy to read book with entertaining, vivid examples and breakthrough instruments, most of which are not available elsewhere. As illustrated by the following testimonies, this book is highly recommended for managers, professionals, educators and students in business, government and the military.