The Formulation Of Strategies
There are several important considerations when forming a business strategy
, personal strategy, or any strategy for competition and in this article we'll cover the primary things one must consider.
1. Choice of battleground
First mover advantage is about the choice of battleground--the area of competition. While "terrain" is fixed and not alterable, "battleground" is variable and controllable.
There are two main factors in choosing the battleground:
a. Areas that have distinct advantages
b. Areas ignored by the enemy
a. Being the first to occupy the battleground:
Generally, those who reach and occupy the battleground early will have time to rest and wait for the enemy. Those who arrive at the battleground late will have to rush into action when they are already tired and exhausted.
--The Art of War
b. Choosing a battleground that is more advantageous to you than your competitor:
Those who are skilled in warfare will always bring the enemy to where they want to fight, and they are not brought there by the enemy.
--The Art of War
Being the first one to occupy a key battleground allows you to be better prepared than the enemy. It will allow you to obtain advantages accorded by the terrain. In addition, it allows you to consolidate resources before the arrival of the enemy.
A battleground that is more advantageous is one in which the terrain fits your resources better than it fits the competition's resources. It is a ground that magnifies your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses. By first occupying this type of ground yourself, then bringing your
enemy to that ground for battle, you obtain a higher assurance of victory.
Do not rely on their not coming, but depend upon having the means to await them. Do not rely on their not attacking, but depend on having an unassailable position.
--The Art of War
Concentration of forces
Another leverage point is the principle of concentration of forces. In terms of warfare, the economy of forces means finding a way to concentrate your "many" against the enemy's "few."
If I determine the enemy's disposition of force while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. If we are concentrated into a single force while he is fragmented into ten, then we attack him with ten times his strength. Thus we are many and the enemy few.
--The Art of War
"Many" and "few" are relative terms. The principle of concentration of forces recognizes relative strength, not absolute strength. Ultimately, the point of contact dictates the outcome of the battle.
The strength of an army does not depend on large forces. Do not advance relying on sheer numbers. Rather, one must concentrate the forces and anticipate correctly the enemy's movements in order to capture him.
--The Art of War
How is this possible? How can you concentrate all of your force at the point of contact and assure that your enemy cannot do the same? This is one place where deception and unpredictability factor in.
The enemy must not know where I intend to attack. For if he does not know where I intend to attack, he must defend in many places. The more places he defends, the more scattered are his forces, and the weaker is his force at any one point.
If the enemy prepares to the front, his rear will be weak; if he defends the rear, his front will be fragile. If he strengthens his left, he will weaken his right; if he strengthens his right, he will weaken his left. If he tries to prepare everywhere, he will be weak all over.
--The Art of War
by: Jonathan Semenick
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