Sun Tzu’s Seven Questions
“According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one’s plans.” – Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu based his predictions for success and failure on seven basic questions. He can clearly picture who the obvious victor and who the obvious loser will be according to the following wisdom:
“Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:
1. Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?
2. Which of the two generals has most ability?
3. With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
4. On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
5. Which army is stronger?
6. On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
7. In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
Internal Assessment
These questions are not to be taken at face value. The first question, for example, is not simply asking which of the two nations carries their morals into battle. It is also asking which of the nations is in harmony with its subjects. In the business world, this question is asking whether a business is in opposition with its workers or whether its workforce uniformly feels supported and works to support the business. Without a harmonious balance between the business’ leadership and its workforce, a business will never succeed in competition.
External Analysis
Additionally, between two businesses, the one that will come out on top of the competition is the one with the best leadership. Its leaders must be decisive, benevolent, creative, and cunning. They must bring experience, competitive intelligence, and authority to the battle, or they will surely lose. Without the ability to maneuver his troops, a general would fail; in the business world, a leader without the ability to coordinate their workforce and adapt their plans will lose in every competition.
Holistic Strategy Development
A business with the natural advantage in the market will succeed just as surely as the general with the high ground on an equal battlefield. No matter the workforce, a business with connections in the market, a wealth of competitive intelligence, and years of experience will always trump a business with minimal connections, some intelligence, and some experience. If a business has public opinion on their side, they will succeed against a newer business with an unknown track record.
Conclusion
Planning as the ultimate weapon involves a thorough assessment of both internal and external factors. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening organizational structures, and understanding the competition, businesses can create robust strategies that lead to sustained success. Sun Tzu’s principles provide a timeless framework for effective planning and strategic execution in the modern business world.
By following these 6 blog posts and incorporating the principles from Sun Tzu’s “Art of War,” businesses can gain valuable insights and strategies for navigating the complexities of the modern competitive landscape.
This article is the sixth in a series of 6 articles related to Mastering Business Warfare with Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”. The Art of War is available free at The internet classics archive.