Standard Deviations with Dr. Daniel Crosby John Nolan - Business Lessons From a Spy: Unconventional Wisdom for Leaders
Jan 24, 2019
In this intriguing discussion, John Nolan, a Vietnam veteran and former CIA operative with 22 years of experience, shares unconventional business wisdom drawn from his espionage background. He reveals the key skill that differentiates great spies from the rest and discusses surprising tactics employed by companies to steal secrets. Nolan emphasizes the art of elicitation, enabling strangers to divulge information comfortably. He also delves into philanthropy, advocating for self-sufficiency through entrepreneurial initiatives, showcasing the power of conversation and positive assumptions in building rapport.
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Pivot From Spying To Business Intelligence
- John Nolan followed his wife's advice to get an MBA and pivot from government intelligence to business intelligence.
- That change positioned him at the forefront of competitive intelligence in the early 1990s.
State-Backed Corporate Espionage Is Systemic
- Many nations integrate state intelligence with commercial firms to harvest economic information.
- China and post-Soviet Russia use government-linked companies to collect and return business intelligence for national advantage.
Honda's Suitcases Of Motorcycle Parts
- Nolan recounts Mr. Honda bringing motorcycle parts home from Italy after WWII to learn manufacturing secrets.
- That hands-on copying helped Japan become the world's largest motorcycle producer.
