About the Founder
The Story of SmartWisdom and Jonathan Kemp MSc
The journey of SmartWisdom spans over 40 years. People often ask if I have a background in education, psychology, or neuroscience — and the answer sometimes surprises them.
To see more about my memoir, click here.
Early Education
At school, learning was never easy. Essay grades were poor, exams were a struggle, and by the age of 16 I had lost both confidence and motivation. Punk rock and all-night fishing became my escapes. Unlike most of my peers, I didn’t apply to university, knowing it would have been a waste of time back then.
Career and the Metropolitan Police
Before joining the police, I worked in restaurants, on building sites, and even spent just under a year as a Jackeroo (cowboy) in Australia. Whatever the job, I always looked for better, easier, more effective ways to do things the next time.
In the Metropolitan Police, I developed a question-and-answer method that helped me process and remember new information. It worked — I excelled in my police exams. I also discovered two strengths that would stay with me:
Working with complexity — I enjoyed navigating detailed paperwork, finding connections, and creating solutions.
Training others — I loved sharing new, more effective ways of working with younger officers.
Postgraduate Studies
After nearly 12 years in the force, I returned to study — first a postgraduate diploma in management, then a Master’s in Shipping, Trade and Finance.
During this time, I discovered an information mapping technique from a colleague. It helped me focus, listen, concentrate, and improve recall. I refined it constantly, turning it into what would become SmartWisdom.
Later, I learned I also had clinical depression, bipolar disorder, and dyslexia — all of which make study more challenging. Even so, SmartWisdom helped me succeed: I earned a distinction in my diploma and nearly another in my Master’s.
A Journey of Innovation
In 1998, after two years in shipping, I began training others in SmartWisdom. A friend at a Swiss bank invited me to help his team, and it worked so well I was asked back to train more groups.
After every course I refined the method, leading to a unique set of innovations for both work and learning, including:
Concentric-circle template: for improved ‘glance access’
Twelve thinking codes: six for catching independent thinking while listening
Four-colour time coding: for use before, during, after a meeting, interview, lecture…
Integrated questioning techniques: to dig deeper and wider
Structured process: for generating more ideas, better plans, and creative thinking
Fast preparation and planning system: for meetings, coaching, and interviews
New terminology: to describe how SmartWisdom works
Improving: learning effectiveness
Scientific Studies
By 2007, I had many testimonials from professionals and students, but wanted to give SmartWisdom scientific credibility. Two independent peer-reviewed studies followed, led by a cognitive neuroscientist and their team.
2009: British Journal of Educational Technology – Eight benefits, including a 20% increase in comprehension and enhanced confidence, productivity, and real-time note use.
View Study >
2011: Benefits include boosted self-esteem, increased accuracy, and improved comprehension by 23% in dyslexic users.
View Study >
60 Video Testimonials
In 2015 I began interviewing SmartWisdom users. With no filming experience, I taught myself, bought equipment, and captured over 60 interviews with professionals and students. Some are available here
Adapting for Tablets and Online
During the COVID pandemic, I trained a colleague who used only iPads. This led me to adapt SmartWisdom for tablets, using darker templates an idea developed by my colleague, for better visibility and easy online sharing.
SmartWisdom and Mindfulness
Like many, COVID lockdowns challenged my mental health. To my surprise, SmartWisdom itself helped. Focusing on writing, breathing, and structure gave me a mindful clarity — a hidden benefit I hadn’t recognised until then.
The Journey Continues
SmartWisdom keeps evolving. My next step is to make parts of it freely available — including templates, knowledge books, and tip sheets [Link].
I’ll also be sharing more insights in blogs [Link] and offering competitively-priced online courses for students and professionals [Link].
Knowing how much SmartWisdom has transformed my own life, I find real joy in sharing it with others.