The Businessman's CIA

An interesting story in Tablet Magazine about a former government consultant who has cobbled together some ex-cia intel folks and puts out a subscription newsletter offering information on countries around the world for businessman who conduct business overseas. The writer dubs it the private CIA. But that's not accurate, what it is though is a information library that comes to you. Kind of like the old mobile libraries that we had access to as kids. But instead of an old bus, the information delivery is accomplished via email. Pick a topic, such as the business climate in Poland, and anytime information breaks that might impact your business dealings in Poland you get the info in an email.

What really is interesting about this is that the service is going like gangbusters. The subscription costs $349 per year paid up front. You get regular email blasts of information cobbled together from news stories and government research reports from around the world. You get something else too-- the ability to show that you are on top of things without having to do anything other than read an email. I think that's why its so successful. Instant expertise.

There is enough interest in the business world that he maintains a staff of intel gatherers, analysts and writers to put it all together. According to the article, there are even subscribers from the government who want to make sure that their own staff are doing their jobs.

The article's author describes it as the McDonald's of the intel world. A one stop quick in and out of information about how different governments are challenging the business world. Not deeply satisfying, but filling enough to allow you to keep going.

As an investigator and op-researcher, my work world is about targeted information that is specific to an individual or business. I find it really interesting that people will pay for generalized information gathering. On one level though it truly makes sense. People are showing that information is critical to making decisions. The businessman use the information to decide how best to structure their overseas work. Is this country safe as a long term market or not. Plus they get to show off to their bosses!

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