How does strategic planning aid my success? (Sun Tze Chapter 1:Laying Plans 3/3
April 13th, 2007 by ALVIN SOONG
In business and management it is akin to going to war. Decisions determine success. By assessing these 8 factors, I can forecast which side will be victorious and which will be defeated - quoted from Sun Tze art of Management. This portion covers more on the management in a team.
Ranging from micro to macro, analysis invovles examining individuals(HRM, leadership and motivation) to company (corporate structure and organisation), nation and the environment. These includes both human and non-human elements to account on the competitive edges; the static and moving nature of the unknown; tangible and intangible factors.
A decision on success is encouraged based on Sun Tze on the following conditions:
1) are there some definite advantages to be gained?
2) Is there a strong assurance of success?
3) is there other alternatives to safeguard one’s own position instead?
4) is one’s defense invulnerable?
Sun Tze explained in the text that a ruler should not wage war out of anger and a general not wage war out of resentment. Enrage only in interest of the state and cease when it is to its detriment. While anger restored to happiness and resentment can become pleasantness, a state perished cannot be restored and a man dead cannot be resurrected. Thus an enlightened ruler should be cautious against war and a general alert always in war. This is the way yo secure the state and preserve the army. (refer to the context of ruler and general in earlier texts in response to investments). One should not rely on the enemy’s failure to come but on one’s readiness to engage him; not rely on enemy’s failure to attack but on one’s ability to build invincible defence.
These indepth analysis goes regard to oneself, the enemy and the environment.
This tranforms to marketing by management/company is very important indeed. According to Chow, a company cannot take the competitors head on. Instead of competiting on prices, it should be focus on service and quality.. The need to be “combat fit” should be aim of every company. Some Fortune 500 companies have been wiped out of listing over years of complacency and inability to remain combat fit.
