Four ways how weak can beat strong

Can this be ever done, weak defeating strong in the market where competition is raging as business warfare? Yes it is, to believe master strategist Sun Tzu. From his celebrated book “Art of War” I have gleaned just four ways in getting the better of your fiercest competitor:

1. Arrive early into the market where competition is taking place, but do not open any front. Sun Tzu says: “Those who arrive in the battle field early will have the time to rest and get ready for the coming battle”. It is not just simple arrival but with a purpose of knowing the terrain, how nature works in the terrain and the right time to engage with opponent. By extension, firms that wish to enter market should do thorough preparation before getting in so that the position is defensible. 

2. Encourage competitor to waste his time and resources in futile ventures before he finds your niche market where you have grown remarkably well un-noticed by competitors in general and the strongest amongst them in particular. When it dawns on the strong you are placed snugly, he rushes. Intervenes Sun Tzu ‘Those who arrive into battle late do so after exhaustion”.  An exhausted opponent is easy to beat should he try to come head-on with your firm. 

3.  Run the opponent around; wear his patience thin. Keep your front line ready but in relaxed manner whereas competitor is in high degree of tension at the same time with depleted energy. Opines Sun Tzu “The one who is skilled in warfare, forces his enemy to encounter much hardship before coming for him; while he awaits in ease”.

4.  Bring pressure on your competitor by using the techniques of random attack, sniffing attack by capturing network or data, signalling major hostility that fizzles out in no time. These measures erode mental power of the competitor who rambles all over in irritation. Sun Tzu says: “Attack the enemy when he is in low spirit, exhausted, confused and in chaotic moment”. Even Atlas in Greek Mythology can become tired if he is placed in such a situation.

Put it in lighter manner these four ways can be summed up tersely by one of the Chinese “36 stratagem” that goes as “Await for the exhausted enemy at your ease"!  

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail:   cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist