January - March 2012
2012 Suggestions for the Strategically Minded
By M.E. Hom, Compass360Consulting.com
Here is an updated New Year's list of books for those who are looking to start the year out with a mindset towards strategy and leadership. We believe that these books should be in the library of everyone who is interested in the Asian strategic mind.

Sunzi Art of War

Let's start with the premier book on Chinese strategic mindset—Sunzi (or Sun Tzu) Art of War.
According to Amazon.com:

"The Art of War is the Swiss army knife of military theory—a different tool for any situation. Folded into this small package are compact views on resourcefulness, momentum, cunning, the profit motive, flexibility, integrity, secrecy, speed, positioning, surprise, deception, manipulation, responsibility, and practicality. Most passages, however, are the pinnacle of succinct clarity: Lure them in with the prospect of gain, take them by confusion” or Invincibility is in one's self; vulnerability is in the opponent. Sun Tzu's maxims are widely applicable beyond the military because they speak directly to the exigencies of survival. Your new tools will serve you well, but don't flaunt them. Remember Sun Tzu's advice: Though effective, appear to be ineffective."
                                                           – Brian Bruya, Amazon.com
One of our favorite suggestions to new readers is The Complete Art of War. The first book is Sun Tzu: The Art of War. Millions of copies of this book have been sold in many languages around the world. Lost for more than 2,000 years and only recently recovered, Sun Pin: Military Methods (History & Warfare)Sun Pin: Military Methods (History & Warfare) (by Sun Tzu's great-grandson) is a brilliant elaboration on his ancestor's work.

   
The Complete Art of War brings the wisdom of these two ancient sages into a single volume and gives the reader a unique opportunity to master the essentials of Chinese thought on strategy, organization, and leadership.

Our other favorite interpretations of Sunzi's The Art of War are shown below:
   

Sun Tzu and the Art of Business: Six Strategic Principles for Managers

For those who are business-inclined, we recommended Sun Tzu and the Art of Business: Six Strategic Principles for Managers. This book has been updated with new strategic case studies.

"If you've ever felt that business is like war, [this] new business book based on the teachings of an ancient Chinese warrior has much to offer." – Entrepreneur Magazine

"K-Mart, AT&T, Xerox, and General Motors would have saved themselves billions of dollars if their past CEOs had read this book." – Dr. Philip Kotler, Northwestern University

Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare

For those interested in modern warfare, we recommend Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare.

"When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing." So wrote the Chinese strategist Sun Tzu more than two millennia ago in the text that has come to be known as The Art of War, one that guides military planners to this day.
Former infantry officer Mark McNeilly examines the lessons of Sun Tzu's book not metaphorically, as he did for the boardroom in his Sun Tzu and the Art of Business: Six Strategic Principles for Managers, but literally, considering its dicta on such matters as the necessity of speedy action and solid leadership in the light of real battles and campaigns throughout history—and those yet to be fought.
For instance, McNeilly looks at the Allied victory over Iraq in the light of Sun Tzu's pronouncement, "Just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness. Matching intelligent commentary with a complete text of Sun Tzu's classic, McNeilly's book is of much interest to students of military history and current events alike." – Gregory McNamee, Amazon.com

Sawyer’s Seven Military Classics of Ancient China

For the serious strategy newbie, we recommend Sawyer’s The Seven Military Classics Of Ancient China (History and Warfare).

Sawyer’s Ancient Chinese Warfare

For the hardcore armchair strategists, we recommended Sawyer‘s latest gem, Ancient Chinese Warfare.

Recommended Reference Books on Strategy

The following is an abridged listing of reference books on strategy that the author recommends:

Suggestions Before a Campaign or a Competition

Here are some of my usual suggestions on the topic of best practices to our clients and friends.

"Before the engagement, those who determine in the ancestral temple that they will be victories have found that the majority of factors are in their favor. Before the engagement, those who determine in the ancestral temple that they will not be victories have found few factors are in their favor. If those who find that the majority of factors favor them will be victorious while those who have found few factors favor them will be defeated, what about someone who finds no factors in his favors? When observed from this perspective, victory and defeat will be apparent." – The Art Of War, Chapter 1
We recommend reading  The Art Of War and other strategy classics many days or hours before entering any serious competition. Sometimes it puts the mind in proper "competitor" perspective. We also recommend The Art of War [CD-ROM] from Denma's translation and Ralph D. Sawyer, as a very good substitute.

One of our favorite reading material is  The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China (History and Warfare).
Whenever one encounters overwhelming odds, some recommend the reading of  Dao Te Ching, the Yi-Jing book (Oracle of Change) or the Spirit Tokens of the Ling Qi Jing. The reading might present the reader with a different view of life.

Final Suggestions

During the winter season, you should take a "chaotic climate" weekend to re-read the various classics in a quiet setting. We also recommend the reading of the various translations of The Art of War and different strategic classics for the purpose of getting a different viewpoint.
  • Always assess your competition and your grand settings before anything else
  • Be aware of the various faces of deception
Good luck and have a successful New Year. If you have any questions, you can find us at compass360consulting.com.
Previous M.E.H. Writings on Strategy
M.E. Hom is the strategy principal at Compass360consulting.com. He and his team recently developed a strategic assessment and analysis process that is based on the principles found in Sun Tzu's Art of War and other Chinese strategy classics. The principles are as pertinent today in the business world as they were on the battlefield ages ago. This strategic process enables the project teams to achieve a scaleable state of strategic effectiveness. It is based on their understanding of the Big Tangible Picture. This approach also allows them to gain a competitive edge by identifying the objective of their competition, their tactics and their means of execution.  In summary, they are able to make proper decisions that are based on strategic principles, not emotions or hunches.


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