Major highlights of business stratagems

There is quite bandying about strategy and tactics. Many do not know there is an intermediary, one that was celebrated in the folklore of Ancient China. It is stratagem or in its popular name “36 Stratagem”. These are proverbs originating from the history, culture, rulers and finally from lively literature of China during last few millenniums.

These stratagems have broad applications including in military, politics, diplomacy and business. Here are the major highlights of business stratagem:

1. Business stratagem combines both strategy and tactics and often dubbed as hybrid. Nearly one –third of its adoption is in relation to strategy while the balance tow-third relates to tactics. Put it other way the intention is strategic whereas its operation is tactical.

2. Play of the stratagem is conditioned by the position the initiator is in and how the situation unfolds for him. For example, when the field commander observes the current situ surrounding him and his men he envisages how the situ could play out. He therefore, charts a course of action drawing from his own experience and the gist of 36 stratagems and chooses the one that has the best line of fit.

3. It is quite possible when a marketer looking at the competition might cherry- pick one business stratagem or a combination of two or more so that he can achieve the objectives he set for short term and the goals that were already set for the longer term.

4. The main purpose of adopting any of the business stratagems is to have optimum result for the initiator to obtain competitive advantage over an opponent. Later on this optimum result must be extended to bring about long term solution in the field of product development and product marketing.

5. Right business stratagem effectively covers and conceals the intention of the user giving rise to intrigue and manoeuvre so that he can perform the specific task set at a particular moment of the time and the prevailing situation.

6. Most writers give jaundiced view of business stratagems by painting it negatively. True business stratagem hinges on deception, cunning, secrecy, surprise and a great degree of stealth. Yet these are permissible in love and war. Today competition has replaced war as a result managers are at perfect liberty to use business stratagems, unless these are proscribed by law and customs in a particular country where such competition takes place. 

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail:   cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist