Task: To develop a system whereby we can develop a paid source network so
   that we can have a reliable group of people in key parts of the world who
   can provide us with constant stream of insight.

    

   Current Situation: At present we have very few paid sources and the bulk
   of our insight comes from sources who offer us information because of
   their relationships with individual analysts and because of our
   reputation. Obviously there are limits to the quantity and quality of
   intelligence we can obtain through people who share information in
   exchange for access to our reports. In order to become a global
   intelligence company that is ahead of everyone else in the analysis and
   forecasting business we need to build our proprietary source network.

    

   Problem: Such a network is a function of financial bandwidth, which means
   it will be a slow process and what has happened is that it has been ad hoc
   in nature. There is no system by which we determine where we need/or will
   need a source in a given country/region. The few paid people we have were
   developed as the need arose and as we happen to bump into someone.

    

   Solution: I am working with Stick (we have had a preliminary meeting
   before the last excomm session) to come up with a system by which we can
   build out our paid source network. Stick will be working with Jeff to get
   a budget for this purpose which will then be allocated based on the needs
   of each aor and its urgency. The envisioned system will allow each aor
   working through its respective field analyst to relay its need for a paid
   source to the VP of Tactical Intelligence who will then work with the
   field analyst to address the need as quickly as possible within the
   budgetary constraints. In this way we can uniformly develop our network
   and move away from the current randomness.

    

   Timeline:  I will have the first cut on a proposed system ready so that
   everyone can read it over and then come prepared at the next meeting to
   discuss it.