Strategic management principles and organizational applications

¶ … Sun Tzu's the Art of War with Niccolo Machiavelli's the Prince. Although the two works of art were intended for different aspects of leadership, they both have withstood the tests of time because they are timeless strategic guides for the ultimate success. These strategic guides are well-known for their appeal to military and political leaders. But our twenty-first century highly competitive global business and economic spectrum continue to draw business leaders into the realm of practitioners.

Today the majority of the principles still apply although some of the suggested killings, assassinations and the like are left to the spies and soldiers. In the business world, some aspects of these works are not to be held literally but certainly can be applied in less dramatic fashions. Consider the suggestion to eliminate whole opposing families in order to reduce the threat of revenge. This philosophy has many applications in the business world without the literally executions. Killing a person or an opposing group's career can be just as effective in a sense.

The same applies to Sun Tzu's work -- removing the head of an insubordinate conscript to prove a point or to increase discipline may have been acceptable in ancient China, but other interpretations will be needed today. All in all, with an open mind, these works of art can certainly be applied successfully in the modern business setting.

Sun Tzu

Very little is known about the author of the Art of War but there has been much supposition and speculation. The book was thought to have been an instructional manual for potential generals in ancient China. The Art of War could also be considered as an instructional science of strategy document. The basic philosophy has become a Chinese mental martial art called bing-fa which because of the ambiguous nature of Chinese Hanja can be translated into literally 'competitive skills' or 'martial art'.

The manual is a series of nine chapters which provide insights into how to address the challenges and how to mentally prepare for both leading others or a methodology for one's personal success. Because of the title and the militarily-based examples, most believe that the sole purpose of the work was to teach how to fight battles. Modern interpretations and adaptations of the principles continue to help individuals create an internal and powerful system for success.

The principles are founded in a no holds barred philosophy of creating winning situations for oneself. It is believed in ancient Japan that those who practiced the art of Ninjitsu for example continually overcame battles with Feudal Samurai because of the differences in success strategy. The Samurai were found of the Code of Bushido were straight ahead battles of with and honor could be compared to the red coats of old England marching to the beat of a drum and lining up in neat rows.

On the other hand, Ninja were thought to follow the philosophies associated with the Art of War and therefore were more in line with guerilla warfare, spying for advantage and cheating if necessary. "All warfare is based on deception." (Tzu) in a business setting, this entails that the end justifies the means. "Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge." (Tzu) if advance knowledge of ones competitor can be obtained to gain an advantage, so be it. Consider that whole nations and all levels of business find it necessary to obtain trade secrets, patents and more through systematic espionage. How does Ninjitsu apply to modern business? There is the basic tenet that be prepared for any situation thrown before hand knowledge and never give away your plans. "Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand." (Tzu)

But the true wisdom in this book is that it suggests constant preparation for all situations. "Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose." (Tzu)

Niccolo Machiavelli

There is a great deal known about Machiavelli and his famous work the Prince. The book was actually an attempt by Machiavelli to ingratiate him self with the royal family after he was fired after fourteen years as the Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Signoria. The book, once received by the royal family was, was instantly thought of as a great work of political strategy and it altered many royal and political lives into a state of punditry in order for them to fully grasp the inherent knowledge offered. "Such dominions thus acquired are either accustomed to live under a prince, or to live in freedom; and are acquired either by the arms of the prince himself, or of others, or else by fortune or by ability." (Machiavelli)

The Prince indirectly altered the state of all political movements once the work was distributed to other royal leaders. Machiavelli basically asserted that politics and the political arena should be separated from the theological and moral imperatives of leadership. Although this is a very accepted philosophy today, it was a radically new idea during his time. "It must be understood that a prince... cannot observe all of those virtues for which men are reputed good, because it is often necessary to act against mercy, against faith, against humanity, against frankness, against religion, in order to preserve the state." (Machiavelli) Consider that the United States would never have had a president if it were not for Machiavelli and his unique concepts of politics. There are many similarities between the sixteenth century principality and our twentieth century presidents.

The prince has many applications to modern day business philosophies. The book offers a message of moral relativism and political expediency. This expediency can lead one to become a leader in a business organization. But the Prince goes one step further and also explains the acquired skill of staying in power. The basic thinking behind the work was that a knowledgeable prince or leader could better maintain and stabilize one's nation. Machiavelli was not shy about suggesting that a good leader had to apply certain tactics albeit cruel tactics to enforce his will on the masses, opponents and subordinates.