SUN TZU – THE ART OF WARLet’s strategize

WH

O IS

SU

N T

ZU

?

He is a Chinese Military General

Before hiring Sun Tzu, the King of Wu tested Sun Tzu's skills by commanding him to train 180 of concubines (King’s mistress) into soldiers.

Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, appointing the two concubines most favored by the king as the company commanders.

When Sun Tzu first ordered the concubines to face right, they giggled.

WH

O IS

SU

N T

ZU

?

In response, Sun Tzu said that the general, in this case himself, was responsible for ensuring that soldiers understood the commands given to them.

Then, he reiterated the command, and again the concubines giggled.

Sun Tzu then ordered the execution of the king's two favored concubines, to the king's protests.

WH

O IS

SU

N T

ZU

?

He explained that if the general's soldiers understood their commands but did not obey, it was the fault of the officers.

Sun Tzu also said that, once a general was appointed, it was his duty to carry out his mission, even if the king protested.

After both concubines were killed, new officers were chosen to replace them. Afterwards, both companies, now well aware of the costs of further frivolity, performed their maneuvers flawlessly.

HIS STRATEGY HAS THEN BEEN PUBLISHED AND SOLD MILLIONS OF COPIES AND MANY AUTHORS KEPT WRITING ABOUT HIS STRATEGY

SO WHY IS ART OF WAR

IMPORTANT?

Business – Strategic planning tips to help you prevail against competitors.

Sports – Advice on the right tactics in a given situation.

Relationships – Ways to plan and accommodate for the people around you.

Leadership – Important guidance on what to do and, just as importantly, what not to do when you are in charge.

THE MORAL LAW• Follow the ruler regardless

of their lives or dangers

HEAVEN• Day & night, cold & Heat,

times and season

EARTH• Great & Small, danger &

security, the chances of life & Death

THE COMMANDER• Wisdom, courage and

strictness

Method & Discipline• Direction and marshalling

of army into right direction

MORALLAW

HEAVEN

EARTHTHE COMMANDER

METHOD & DISCIPLINE

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SUN TZU’s 6 PRINCIPLES

• Achieving objective without destroying it.

“ Generally in war it is best to take the state intact to ruin it is inferior to this” SUN TZU

WIN ALL WITHOUT FIGHTING

• Since the goal of your business is to survive & prosper, you must capture the market but you must do in a way that your market is not destroy in the process. A company could do this in several ways; subtle, in direct and low-key approach that will not draw competitor’s attention.

• Do not do a price war. Eg: TM & Wimax, what happened now? WIMAX went quieter these days? No more catchy ads?

WIN ALL WITHOUT FIGHTING

• Focus on competitor’s weakness which maximizes your gains while minimizing the use of resources, this will then yield profits.

• Do not over confident with your strength.

AVOID STRENGTH & ATTACK THE WEAKNESS

• Determine the enemy’s plan first then you will know which strategy will be successful

• To find and exploit your competitor’s weakness requires a deep understanding of their executive strategies, understand overall competitive & industry trends occurring around you in which you will battle.

• Conceal your strategy and keep your plans secret

DECEPTION & FOREKNOWLEDGE

• Take advantage of your competitors un-preparedness, travel by unexpected routes to strike them.

• Reducing the time it takes for decision making. Servicing customers are critical.

• Think through to understand potential competitive reaction to your attacks

SPEED & PREPARATION

• Shaping your competition means changing the rules of the game and making the competition conform to your desire and your action.

• But how? By controlling the key strategic points in your industry where you will be able to call the tune to which your competitor dance.

Eg: Airasia

SHAPING THE OPPONENTS

• A Leader should be wise, sincere, humane, courageous and strict.

• Leaders must also always be first in the toils & fatigues of the army

• Treat them well they will produce results.

CHARACTER BASED LEADERSHIP

4 STEPS OF ADVANCE CYCLE

Advance cycle

INFORMATION

Focus

Action

Position

4 STEPS OF ADVANCE CYCLE - INFORMATIONListen to uncover new opportunitiesFill In the map of your situation and focus to study the map to discover the best opportunity for changing your position

Advance cycle

INFORMATION

4 STEPS OF ADVANCE CYCLE – FOCUSTarget a specific way to advance your position by filtering the unnecessary activities

Advance cycle

Focus

4 STEPS OF ADVANCE CYCLEAction is like driving out to that destination, every action is unique. You must proceed with your own risk

Advance cycleAction

4 STEPS OF ADVANCE CYCLEEverytime you advance in your position, you change your position.Success means making your advance pay off, This requires the final step of claiming your new position.

Advance cycle

Position