Strategy of providing an exit ramp: how it is applied in war, politics and business?

Master strategists are mindful of successful outcome not unending war, crisis or competition. It was Sun Tzu who counselled that “when you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard”. Providing an exit ramp as strategy is applied in war, politics and business. Here is my take:

War is a serious business to be left with Generals so it is in politics and in business as well. If you allow the generals free hand they would not tolerate an enemy escaping in the midst of war. They prefer to close all avenues with the idea of annihilating them wholescale. This is counterproductive in that the opponent opts to go down in glaze of glory fighting till the last soldier standing. By this process they would inflict maximum damages to the other side in terms of men, machinery and materials. 

In the Ukraine war, Russia offered exit ramps for Ukr army in two occasions. First when Russian army decided to withdraw from Kiev expedition hinting a cue that Russia is ready for negotiated settlement. The second time it was on the Kharkiv front.  Sadly, neither Zelensky nor Joe Biden got the hint. Instead of it they took these signals as signs of defeat or failure. Result: Russians went on to consolidate Kherson and now on the move towards Zaphorizhia almost 253 km away. 

In politics, exit ramp is offered when a ruling autocrat is befuddled with unending revolts by the public, of course instigated from interested parties domestically or abroad. A recent example of exit ramp offering was in Sri Lanka when the embattled President of the country was asked to peacefully step down and allow the Parliament to take control. The president refused and the conflict goes unabated.

To my knowledge the provision of exit ramp works more effectively in the case of business. When Google introduced Analytics, Microsoft does want to give it an edge and immediately got Bing webmaster online. Both know for sure they are engaged in tit for tat measure leading to unnecessary heating up. Good counsel prevailed! Google console offered the exit ramp strategy where both Google Analytics and Bing Webmaster Tool could be integrated where a seamless inter-operability is facilitated and the customers get value added services from both parties.

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail:   cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist