Brilliant Manoeuvre
To win in war and in business requires seizing and maintaining the initiative; going on the defensive only buys time to consolidate a position, withdraw, reorient or reconstitute one’s forces.
Example
The legal battle that is currently unfolding between Apple and Samsung over Apple’s allegations that Samsung has violated its intellectual property in designing its smart phones is an example of a defensive move by Apple. It can therefore only be viewed as a temporary measure to buy time so it can maintain the initiative in the smart phone wars. Apple can’t rely on this type of manoeuvre to protect itself from long-term competition.
Tip
Strategy is the art of generalship and command in the widest sense. In a business, this means identifying what the business is about, its mission, raison d’être, vision, and major objectives for the next 3 to 5 years max. Strategy also requires the identification and planning of the ultimate ends, ways, and means for the organization.
Richard Martin is a consultant, speaker, and executive coach. He brings his military and business leadership and management experience to bear for executives and organizations seeking to exploit change, maximize opportunity, and minimize risk.
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© 2012 Richard Martin. Reproduction and quotes are permitted with proper attribution.