Brainforge Knowledge

QUICK_REFERENCE

5 min read

Agency Research System - Quick Reference

Created: 2026-02-12
For: Luke and GTM team
Purpose: Quick navigation and workflow reference

📁 Folder Structure

/knowledge/research/agencies/
├── README.md                           ← Start here (overview)
├── CONVERSATION_TEMPLATE.md            ← Use for new conversations
├── conversations/                      ← Raw conversation notes
│   └── YYYY-MM-DD_firstname-lastname_company.md
├── insights/                          ← Synthesized patterns
│   ├── painpoints-database.md         ← All painpoints (P001, P002...)
│   ├── personas.md                     ← Agency archetypes
│   └── themes.md                       ← Emerging patterns
└── applications/                      ← How we use insights
    ├── content-ideas.md               ← Content from research
    ├── case-study-opportunities.md    ← Case study pipeline
    └── sow-patterns.md                ← Painpoint→solution patterns

🔄 Workflow: Capturing a New Conversation

Step 1: During/After Conversation

  • Take notes (raw, bullet points OK)
  • Capture exact quotes
  • Note painpoints and opportunities

Step 2: File the Conversation

  1. Copy CONVERSATION_TEMPLATE.md
  2. Save as: /conversations/YYYY-MM-DD_firstname-lastname_company.md
  3. Fill in all sections
  4. Save and commit

Step 3: Extract Insights (Within 24 Hours)

  1. Painpoints: Add to /insights/painpoints-database.md
    • Assign P### codes
    • Categorize and prioritize
  2. Persona: Update or create in /insights/personas.md
  3. Themes: Add to /insights/themes.md if new patterns emerge

Step 4: Identify Applications

  1. Content: Add ideas to /applications/content-ideas.md
  2. Case Studies: Add to /applications/case-study-opportunities.md if relevant
  3. SOWs: Add patterns to /applications/sow-patterns.md

Step 5: Connect to Active Work

  • Link to content series (e.g., agency-ai-integration-series)
  • Create sales lead folder if opportunity (→ knowledge/sales/leads/)
  • Update GTM campaign plans if insights inform targeting

🎯 5 Use Cases (As You Requested)

1. Identify Top Agency Painpoints

→ Go to: /insights/painpoints-database.md

  • See “Top 5 Painpoints” section
  • Review priority matrix
  • Use painpoint codes (P001, P002) for reference

2. Write Content Based on Painpoints

→ Go to: /applications/content-ideas.md

  • See high-priority ideas (marked 🔴 🟡 🟢)
  • Each idea maps to painpoint codes
  • Connect to existing content series

3. Develop Case Studies Around Painpoints

→ Go to: /applications/case-study-opportunities.md

  • See case study pipeline
  • Each case study addresses specific painpoints
  • Track from opportunity → published

4. Write SOWs Using Painpoints

→ Go to: /applications/sow-patterns.md

  • See painpoint → solution patterns
  • Pricing guidance included
  • Maps to SOW framework templates

5. Plan Campaigns & GTM Around Painpoints

→ Go to: /insights/personas.md + /insights/themes.md

  • Use personas for targeting
  • Use themes for messaging
  • Reference painpoints for campaign focus

📊 Current State (as of 2026-02-12)

Conversations: 1 (Jocelyn Swift Harjes - Ayzenberg)

Insights:

  • 7 Painpoints identified (P001-P007)
  • 1 Persona defined (Mid-Maturity Agency)
  • 5 Themes documented

Applications:

  • 8 Content Ideas (1 urgent, 2 high-priority)
  • 3 Case Study Opportunities (1 urgent, 1 pending, 1 long-shot)
  • 4 SOW Patterns documented

Top Priorities Right Now:

  1. 🔴 Create Brainforge Internal Tools case study (this week)
  2. 🟡 Follow up with Jocelyn/Ayzenberg (Michael conversation)
  3. 🟡 Reach out to Ashley Owen (Walmart)
  4. 🟢 Write “How to Measure AI ROI” content

🔗 Key Connections

To Existing Vault Locations

  • Content Series: /knowledge/sales/content/cc-content-system/luke-gpt/projects/agency-ai-integration-series/

    • Feed painpoints into post outlines
    • Use personas for messaging

  • SOW Framework: /knowledge/sales/sow-framework/

    • Use patterns from applications/sow-patterns.md
    • Create SOW templates based on patterns

  • Sales Leads: /knowledge/sales/leads/

    • When conversation → opportunity, create lead folder
    • Reference original conversation in lead notes

  • GTM Content: /knowledge/sales/content/

    • Publish case studies here
    • Reference painpoints in positioning

💡 Quick Tips

For Capturing Conversations

  • ✅ Use exact quotes (especially impactful ones)
  • ✅ Assign painpoint codes immediately
  • ✅ Note agency archetype (helps with pattern matching)
  • ✅ Capture next actions with dates

For Synthesizing Insights

  • ✅ Update painpoints database after EVERY conversation
  • ✅ Look for patterns across conversations (validate themes)
  • ✅ Track painpoint frequency (how many times mentioned)
  • ✅ Connect insights to existing work (don’t let them sit isolated)

For Using Insights

  • ✅ Reference painpoint codes in content (P002, P003, etc.)
  • ✅ Use personas when drafting messaging
  • ✅ Map case studies to multiple painpoints
  • ✅ Share insights with sales team (HubSpot, standups)

📈 Success Metrics

Track these over time:

Conversation Volume:

  • Conversations per month
  • Persona coverage (are we talking to diverse agencies?)
  • Follow-up conversion rate

Insight Quality:

  • Painpoints identified per conversation
  • Theme validation (how many conversations confirm a theme?)
  • Content → engagement correlation

Business Impact:

  • Case studies published from research
  • Leads generated from research-informed content
  • SOWs created using patterns
  • Campaign performance using persona targeting

🚀 Next Steps

This Week

  • Create Brainforge Internal Tools case study
  • Share case study with Jocelyn
  • Follow up on Ayzenberg/Michael conversation

Ongoing

  • Schedule regular agency conversations (1-2 per week)
  • Review insights weekly (team meeting agenda item?)
  • Update content calendar based on painpoints
  • Share insights in sales standups

❓ Questions?

  • Where do sales leads go? → Start here, move to knowledge/sales/leads/{company}/ when opportunity
  • What about client projects? → Move to clients/{company}/ when engaged
  • Should I use this for non-agency conversations? → No, this is agency-specific. Create similar structure for other segments if needed.
  • How often should I update insights? → Within 24 hours of each conversation

📞 Who Owns What

Luke (GTM Lead):

  • Conducting conversations
  • Content creation from insights
  • Campaign planning

Sales Team:

  • Using insights in pitches
  • Referencing painpoints in discovery
  • Creating SOWs from patterns

Uttam (if applicable):

  • Partnership-related conversations
  • Case study participation

Last Updated: 2026-02-12
Status: ✅ System active and ready to use

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