Strategic Thinking: Sun Tzu’s Legacy and the Modern Business (Part 3)

Sun Tzu’s strategies of war also include an opportunity oriented approach. Such approach helps the managers better use their innovative thinking ability, than going into the battle with blind eyes. The creativity and strategically approach the market is the key to success.

Sun Tzu says:

Sun Tzu’s priority is always to avoid the battle when there is possibility to win without fighting. Thinking strategically instead of using your power is the major priority that causes less harm to you. The modern business also follows the same path. The concept of blue ocean strategy in which the company creates a totally new market and demand has already been discussed. Such actions require strategic planning and innovative thinking. Disruptive innovation is the way to leapfrog the competing market by creating a totally new demand. Thus, Sun Tzu adds:

Opportunity orientation is the base of strategic thinking. In a competitive market you always have some losses as you have costs and expenses caused by the rivalry in the market you are operating. Therefore, thinking strategically should be opportunity oriented and every single step should have a good calculations behind. So you should always look before you leap, as Sun Tzu says:

During the early growth, the Sun Tzu’s strategies should be more taken into consideration. Some entrepreneurs might think that they are in a safe place after passing the survival period and decide to develop their activities. They might choose aggressively to attack the market by growing their activities and attacking new markets, but such actions require careful planning and good decision. During my early startup in Sweden I have done such mistakes which could be avoided by following the Sun Tzu’s strategies. I have been in opportunity trap, and I have also leaped before looking carefully in some cases. Having an Opportunity orientation approach is tricky and should be handled in a wise manner in order to avoid the opportunity trap.

Sun Tzu also suggests having a vast home range as he says:

Having multiple plans for different situations, and being flexible is what sun Tzu suggests. Managers should have a plan for their crisis management too. A wise manager does not rely only on one part of the company’s operation or one strategy, but he/she plans for the crisis time, trying to avoid it and have a walkaway plan from crisis when it occurs. Scenario planning is a way for planning the future and making the company prepared for different conditions that might happen during the operations.

Sun Tzu’s legacy is still in use in many industries and organizations. It is one of the oldest books available on strategy and still is one of the most relevant topics when it comes to strategy. The truth behind the book is that every time you read it, it gives you new ideas.