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Sun Tzu, Boxing and Leadership: weathering economic down-turn with momentum and timing.
| Guest post by: Shawn Frost |
Article Overview: Sun Tzu, renowned general and author of "The Art of War" provides guidance on how to be competitive in times of economic turmoil and scarcity. He explains the role of momentum and timing and how to employ them to the advantage of the modern leader and entrepreneur. Understanding these principles not only informs marketing, but gaining market-share and weathering tough economic times but how China has risen and how we can thrive.
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Free Download - Sun Tzu, Boxing and Leadership: weathering economic down-turn with momentum and timing. By Shawn Frost |
Sun Tzu, Boxing and Leadership: weathering economic down-turn with momentum and timing.
Boxing, war, and modern business... what do these three activities have in common? The obvious answer is that all three take place in competitive environments in which there will be clear winners. Sun Tzu's treatise "The Art of War" not only describes these environments, but also asserts a way to win and analytical method to predict a winner. Once one understands these predictable outcomes, then positioning oneself to be the winner becomes easy. Among these elements, one must include an analysis and implementation of Momentum and Timing.
The best way to describe these elements is to present an example. Boxing's "greatest of all time" (self-professed and seldom refuted) competitor Muhammad Ali, understood Sun Tzu's concept of momentum perfectly.
Sun Tzu said:
"You fight with momentum. There are only a few types of surprises and direct actions. Yet you can always vary the ones you use. There is no limit to the ways you can win."
In boxing, there are four basic punches, but how you put them together can vary. But this is tactical, Sun Tzu deals with Strategic Intent and concepts. Tactics vary by round, but a 15 round fight requires strategy. Ali was a master. His fight against George Foreman exemplifies numerous strategic principles. Foreman was much larger and much stronger than Ali. But Sun Tzu points out that every strength contains a weakness. Foreman's size was his strength but also his undoing.
In Sun Tzu's description, we know that we need BOTH direct action (the standard way of doing things) and surprises. Foreman and Ali, met on a very hot evening and Ali put up a good fight in the early rounds as was his standard. But, then, Ali started taking rounds off, as is also custom practice of some flamboyant fighters when they get ahead on the scorecards. Ali, understood Sun Tzu's principle of"defending until you see the opportunity to attack". Ali put his back to the ropes and slipped and partially absorbed George Foreman's onslaught. Ali did this for several rounds. He knew that "a large enemy is difficult to overturn, but a small enemy is impossible to catch.". Foreman mistook Ali's "rope a dope" strategy to mean that he was close to winning by knock-out so he pushed his huge muscles to continue punching, expending all his resources.
Ali also understood Sun Tzu's principle of timing.
"A hawk suddenly strikes a bird. Its contact alone kills the prey. This is timing."
As Foreman stood with his massive arms hanging at his sides, Ali switched from his standard methods of defending and unleashed his surprise. With a blinding flurry of hard, well-timed and placed punches he leveled the man who had battered him for several rounds. Ali's strategic approach astounded not only Foreman but the announcers and the entire audience.
Related ArticlesAli didn't reveal his intent until his opponent was unable counter it. Further supporting Sun Tzu's guidance that "you must fight only winning battles. Your momentum must be overwhelming. Your timing must be exact."
How does this translate to business or leading an organization? Dear reader certainly you are smart enough to connect the parallels, but I'll provide a few key messages.
1.Momentum is the utilization of non-standard (surprises)AS WELL ASstandard practices. Westerners are so indiividualized and want to "get their own way" and "think outside the box". Sun Tzu and I would be very nervous for any organization that wanted to "break all the rules". The success comes when a well-timed innovation is employed within a standard model. Innovation for the sake of innovation is a waste of resources and will likely be poorly received over the long term. Look at "New Coke"... or "Pepsi Clear" or the "Segway". Each created a massive buzz, but ultimately cost their organizations millions of dollars.
Instead, embrace the power of AND.
Such as a great coffee shop with an off-leash dog park just outside! Brilliant! Finding a way to offer complimentary services AT LOW COST to the organization is an appropriate way to innovate in a competitive marketplace.
andonly reveal your innovation when your competitors can't defend against it.Too often we over-advertise a "coming attraction". Sun Tzu believes that this form of marketing would only give your opponents time to plan against it.
Alwaysuse your opponent's strengths as a weakness by leading them into unfavorable terrain.Foreman's size meant he couldn't quickly recover from his expenditure of energy. Ali recognized that his speed meant he could slip punches until he saw the opportunity to advance his position. Ask yourself: "what is my competitor's primary strength or core competency?" How does my position and core competency make me better positioned? Remember, that parachute that kept you alive on the way down from the airplane turns into an anchor when you land in the water. Positions change and dictate a response. Figure out how to draw your parachute-wearing competitors into the water. but don't do it until you are wearing a life-vest.
Defend until you see the opportunity to advance.Ali stayed in the fight long enough to see his opportunity to advance. This comes back to timing. IF Ali felt he was taking too much punishment, he would have sure pressed back, and did, but only up to the point where he felt safe and kept George Foreman punching. In business, this could mean scaling back on un-profitable activities that don't advance your long-term position. Don't waste your energy directly battling competitors by engaging in a price war to maintain market-share in un-profitable segments. Slip those punches until you see a way to grow in a profitable direction. Only take on high-ROI projects or products. If NPV is negative, WALK away... don't be dragged into their water with your parachute on. Let your competitors expend energy on these projects until their arms are hanging at their proverbial sides as the gasp for air.
Then you strike like the Hawk!
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Re: Hi from OpenAFranchise
- Welcome to the forum... are you seeing big changes in franchise start-ups during this economic downturn?
surviving an economic crisis
- I'm moving to Idaho then I'm building a bunker and stockpiling 2 years worth of supplies. I'm buying a fishing rod, a hunting rifle and bunch of chickens to produce eggs... I like chickens because they don't care about recessions or depressions.
OK... that may be Plan C - let's hope it doesn't get to that.
So far, our business is doing well, we often target affluent markets and from our experience in the early 90's recession this worked well. BUT - what we're seeing this time around is not a simple recession. I think it could get bumpy.
What type of businesses thrive in an economic downturn?
Re: Alternative Divorce Franchise?
- There are many ways of making money at this time of economic depression. There are many ebooks out now on how to manage the economic disasters that are happening now. If you think very well you can come out with an idea that will be a best seller
Re: Alexa Ranking Goals
- Thanks Evan and Trent,
Congrats to Trent for achieving his goal and to everybody whose site is gaining momentum. I notice Alan Mater's site is steaming along well.
Wow, I did it! It turned out that it hardly needed a final push at all but got across the finish line on its own momentum!
Re: Alexa Ranking Goals
- Congratulations, Anelly, for also achieving your goal!
Also congrats to those who've gained momentum. Keep up the hard work!
To those losing momentum - Stay focused and do at least one sort of promotion every day.
You can do it, Trent!
I hadn't done much marketing myself last month, either. Hopefully this month will be more productive.
My new goal for April will be 125,000.
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