Sun Tzu and the Art of Business Six Strategic Principles for Managers

by McNeilly, Mark R.

• ISBN13: 9780195137897
• ISBN10: 0195137892
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-13
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

More than two millennia ago the famous Chinese general Sun Tzu wrote the classic work on military strategy, The Art of War. Now, in Sun Tzu and the Art of Business, Mark R. McNeilly shows how Sun Tzu's strategic principles can be successfully applied to modern business situations. Here arereally two books in one: McNeilly's synthesis of Sun Tzu's ideas into six strategic principles for the business executive, plus the entire text of Samuel B. Griffith's popular translation of The Art of War. Within, McNeilly explains how to gain market share without inciting competitive retaliation,how to attack a competitor's weak points, and how to maximize the power of market information for competitive advantage. He also demonstrates the value of speed, preparation, and secrecy in throwing the competition off-balance, employing strategy to beat the competition, and the need for characterin successful leaders. In his final chapter, McNeilly presents a practical method to put Sun Tzu and The Art of Business into practice. By using modern examples throughout the book from GE, Microsoft, ATandT, BMW, Southwest Airlines, FedEx, and many others, he illustrates how, by following thewisdom of history's most respected strategist, executives can avoid the pitfalls of management fads and achieve lasting competitive advantage.

Author Biography

Mark R. McNeilly is a strategist for IBM as well as an amateur military historian and former infantry and artillery officer. He lives in Apex, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Introduction	3	(9)
Win All Without Fighting: Capturing Your Market Without Destroying It	9	(14)
Avoid Strength, Attack Weakness: Striking Where They Least Expect It	23	(17)
Deception and Foreknowledge: Maximizing the Power of Market Information	40	(19)
Speed and Preparation: Moving Swiftly To Overcome Your Competitors	59	(31)
Shape Your Opponent: Employing Strategy To Master the Competition	90	(27)
Character-Based Leadership: Providing Effective Leadership in Turbulent Times	117	(24)
Putting The Art of Business into Practice	141	(14)
Notes	155	(10)
Suggested Readings of The Art of War	165	(2)
Original Translation	167	(84)
Samuel B. Griffith
Bibliography	251	(6)
Index	257