My Secret and Personal Strategic Source of Information Revealed
#26 - Journaling + Analysis = Journalysis or how a simple habit turned into strategic added value to my business
Welcome to the #26 edition of “Intelligence in Business” 👋🏻
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In this edition…
The origin of Journalysis
The Strategic Value of Journalysis
How Journalysis Transformed My Business Approach
Implementing Journalysis
The Origin of “Journalysis”
A few years ago, I had a conversation with an old retired businessman.
He shared a habit that he had maintained for over 30 years: spending 30 minutes every day writing down everything that happened in his business life.
He documented meetings, feelings, conversations, and events.
As he was working on writing a book, his “memoirs”, we talked about this habit that he had, and I realized that this practice had not only therapeutic benefits but also significant strategic advantages.
I decided I will implement it, but add to it my “intelligence” shift to it.
The Strategic Value of Journalysis
At first, it sounded like a quaint old habit. He did not invent anything, journaling is known for being a great therapeutic tool, a catharsis.
However, as an expert in human intelligence, I quickly saw its potential.
“Journalysis” as I call it is about journaling and analysing.
It is more than just a daily diary; it's a strategic goldmine.
By meticulously recording every detail of my business interactions, I found that I could improve negotiations, profiling, and overall strategic planning.
Imagine: being able to revisit notes from meetings and observe patterns and details that you might have otherwise forgotten. These insights can be incredibly valuable.
For example, before an important meeting, I review my notes to remind myself of the stories, interests, and subtle cues shared by the other person. This not only shows a genuine interest but also strengthens trust and builds deeper connections, and this is the basis of HUMINT (human intelligence).
Some of my old journals in my library
How Journalysis Transformed My Business Approach
Since adopting this habit, I’ve noticed remarkable improvements in my business dealings.
I approach this habit with an “intelligence officer state of mind”, like at the end of a meeting with a source, I’d deliver an operational report (how things happened, where did we meet, what did we order etc) and an information report (the content I got out of the meeting, the information delivered by the source)
Here are a few ways it has benefited me:
Enhanced Negotiations
One of the most significant advantages is the impact on negotiations. When you note feelings, emotions, words, facts that you observed, and get back to it later on, you can observe and analyze patterns, things that were left unsaid but that are important.
Here's an example: I once had to renegotiate a contract with a long-term supplier. By reviewing my notes, I recalled that the supplier had mentioned their interest in expanding into a new specific market. I used this information to offer a mutually beneficial arrangement, where we would support their expansion efforts in exchange for more favorable contract terms. This secured a better deal and reinforced our partnership.
Better Profiling
Continuous documentation helps in building comprehensive profiles of your contacts. I had a client who was notoriously difficult to read in meetings. By reviewing my journal entries, I identified subtle patterns in their behavior and preferences. This allowed me to adapt, align with their body language and communication, tailor my presentations and proposals to better fit their expectations. This allows me to connect more deeply with my interlocutors (be a partner, client, investor), create a genuine form of friendship, ultimately resulting in winning more successful business together.
Improved Relationship Building
Journalysis is a powerful tool for relationship building. Consider the case of a potential investor who was initially hesitant about a project I was pitching. By reviewing my notes, I recalled a personal story they had shared about their early career struggles. I referenced this story in our next meeting, which created a moment of genuine connection. This approach broke the ice and led to a successful investment.
Building From Past Experiences
Lastly, by writing down everything that happens to you businesswise: success, failures, doubts, challenges… you learn from your own past and experiences.
“Duh?” You’d think. That’s obvious?
Not that much.
You’d be surprised of the number of people that I personally know, successful in business, reiterating the same mistakes and being unable to detect them because they’re unaware of the patterns of these problems. By writing down your business (ad)ventures and daily challenges, you are actually able to observe them, and then implement processes and systems to improve your business.
Implementing Journalysis
You might think this sounds a bit obsessive, and maybe it is, who cares?
The brilliance of “journalysis” lies in its simplicity and effectiveness.
All you need is 30 minutes a day and a willingness to document your experiences.
Here’s how you can start:
Set aside time daily: I personally chose the end of the day. I need at least an hour to disconnect and relax, and journaling is a perfect activity for that. So I dedicate thirty minutes at the end of my day, with a cup of tea, to write. Make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
Document everything: Write down meetings, conversations, your feelings, and any other relevant details. No detail is too small, you’ll realize this later on.
Review regularly: Before key meetings or events, review your notes. Look for patterns, interests, and details that can give you an edge. This is a source of information that you can transform into intelligence that will enhance your decision making process.
I invite you to try it and see how it can transform your business strategy and relationships. It’s a small daily commitment with the potential for huge returns.
About OC Strategic Advisory
With a decade of expertise in strategic intelligence and communication, I specialize in human intelligence. Using intelligence set of tools in business, OCSA helped +30 companies to implement disruptive strategies to secure their business, discretly.
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