Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers

by Michaelson, Gerald A.

• ISBN13: 9781605500300
• ISBN10: 1605500305
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-05-18
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

In today's competitive business world, you must capture the high ground and defend it against your rivals. The secret lies in mastering the strategic arts taught by the ancient Chinese military theorist Sun Tzu. Gerald A. Michaelson's classic book breaks down Sun Tzu's lessons to help you move from manager to leader and vanquish your competition. In this fully updated edition, Steven Michaelson offers new examples drawn from companies ranging from Amazon to Toyota to Google, putting Sun Tzu at your side for today's business challenges.Here is the wisdom--tested for twenty-five centuries--that will help you seize the advantage, storm your competitors' gates, and conquer the marketplace!

Author Biography

Gerald A. Michaelson lectured on Sun Tzu in China at the invitation of the Chinese government. He traveled extensively throughout Asia as a management coach and delivered workshops on five continents. Steven Michaelson is the coauthor of several books on Sun Tzu, including Sun Tzu for Success and Sun Tzu for Execution. He is president of FreshDirect, the fast-growing New York-area online retailer. Michaelson's thirty-year career includes marketing, merchandising, sales, and other leadership roles. Previously, he was a senior vice president at Wegmans Food Markets, perennially named one of the best companies to work for in America. He lives in Rye, NY.

Table of Contents

Foreword to the Second Edition	p. x
The Lesson of the Concubines	p. xii
Introduction	p. xv
New Translation of The Art of War with Manager's Commentary
Laying Plans	p. 3
Thoroughly Assess Conditions	p. 4
Compare Attribute	p. 7
Look for Strategic Turns	p. 9
Waging War	p. 13
Marshal Adequate Resources
Make Time Your Ally	p. 16
Everyone Must Profit from Victories	p. 18
Know Your Craft	p. 21
Attack by Stratagem	p. 24
Win Without Fighting	p. 25
Strength Against Weakness-Always	p. 27
Beware of "High-Level Dumb"	p. 30
Obey Fundamental Principles	p. 32
Disposition of Military Strength	p. 36
Be Invincible	p. 37
Attain Strategic Superiority	p. 39
Use Information to Focus Resources	p. 42
Use of Energy	p. 45
Build a Sound Organization Structure	p. 46
Apply Extraordinary Force	p. 48
Coordinate Momentum and Timing	p. 51
Weakness and Strength	p. 54
Take the Initiative	p. 55
Plan Surprise	p. 58
Gain Relative Superiority	p. 60
Seek Knowledge	p. 63
Be Flexible	p. 65
Maneuvering	p. 68
Maneuver to Gain the Advantage	p. 69
Achieve the Critical Mass	p. 71
Deceive Your Competitor	p. 74
Develop Effective Internal Communications	p. 76
Gain the Mental Advantage	p. 79
Variation of Tactics	p. 82
Consider Tactical Options	p. 83
Prepare Adequate Defenses	p. 86
Avoid the Faults of Leadership	p. 89
On the March	p. 92
Occupy Strong Natural Positions	p. 93
Always Seek the High Ground	p. 95
Make an Estimate of the Situation	p. 97
Discipline Can Build Allegiance	p. 102
Terrain	p. 105
Know Your Battlefield	p. 106
Obey the Laws of Leadership	p. 109
Fight Only the Battles You Can Win	p. 111
Know Yourself; Know Your Opponent	p. 114
The Nine Varieties of Ground	p. 117
Choose a Favorable Battleground	p. 118
Shape Your Opponent's Strategy	p. 121
Make Victory the Only Option	p. 123
Plan Coordinated Efforts	p. 125
Press the Attack	p. 128
Learn Winning Ways	p. 130
Attack by Fire	p. 134
Be Disruptive and Intrusive	p. 135
Consolidate Your Gains	p. 138
Exercise Restraint	p. 140
Employment of Secret Agents	p. 143
Invest in Intelligence Resources	p. 144
Establish an Active Intelligence System	p. 147
Practice Counterintelligence	p. 149
Applying Sun Tzu's Wisdom
Practical Applications	p. 155
Outline of Key Concepts	p. 179
Notes	p. 191
Bibliography	p. 195
Translator's Bibliography	p. 196
Index	p. 198
About the Authors	p. 203
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