Strategy, 500 BC

Many of the basic principles of business strategy find their origin from military and war. The key principles behind all successful wars were enunciated by Sun Tzu around 500 B.C.

Some of the Principles are :

• Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting
• The best defensive strategy is the courage to attack yourself
• Attack the enemy’s weakness
• Strong enemy moves must be blocked
• If you know the enemy, and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or ruin
• In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace