Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers: 50 Strategic Rules Updated for Today's Business

by Gerald A. Michaelson and Sun Tzu

Book Overview

Seize the advantage from your competitors and conquer today's competitive business world with these 50 strategic business rules from the tried-and-tested wisdom of Sun Tzu.

In today's competitive business world, you must capture the high ground and defend it against your rivals. The secret lies in mastering the strategic arts taught by the ancient Chinese military theorist Sun Tzu. Gerald A. Michaelson's classic book breaks down Sun...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1605500305
• ISBN13: 9781605500300
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Adams Media Corporation
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 3.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Even More Relevant and Valuable Today

The review which follows is of a book which I read when it was first published in 1999. I recently re-read it. Here are my reactions to it seven years later. Many of those who read my reviews are owners/CEOs of small businesses. Whenever I receive an e-mail from one of them asking me to recommend books which will be of greatest practical value, I always include a choice of R.L. Wing's or Samuel B. Griffith's translation of Sun Tzu's The Art of War on the list. Occasionally, someone who has read The Art of War asks for a recommendation of related sources. There are several to select from, notably The Art of Business: In the Footsteps of Giants written by Raymond T. Yeh and Stephanie H. Yeh; two books by Mark R. McNeilly, Sun Tzu and the Art of Business and Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare; and this one, which I read when it was first published and only now am I reviewing. Here are a few of the reasons for my rating of Michaelson's book. First, Michaelson has selected and then discusses 50 "strategic rules" suggested by Sun Tzu's classic. To facilitate and support periodic review, the key concepts are summarized on pages 169-190 and range from" Thoroughly Assess Conditions" to "Practice Counterintelligence." Don't expect any head-snappers. The greatest value of The Art of War is that it helps, indeed insists that its reader think strategically. (Please keep in mind that it was written 2,500 years ago.) Michaelson fully understands that. His purpose is to apply ancient concepts to major perils and opportunities in the contemporary. I also appreciate Michaelson's provision of several reader-friendly sections such as those in which he quotes a passage from The Art of War and then offers a "translation" of its relevance, followed by a "Manager's Commentary" in which he recommends appropriate application of Sun Tzu's insight. Throughout his rigorous and eloquent narrative, Michaelson also includes checklists such as the one found on page 114 when he identifies "key ingredients" which are common to all growing organizations: customer focus by creating systems that deliver perceived value; selection (i.e. hiring) of decent as well as competent people; and then training them with highly-interactive learning sessions which are both formal and on-the-job. Finally, I hold this book in high regard because Michaelson also includes 13 brief but insightful commentaries by senior-level executives who share their own real-world experiences. Fort example, Domminick Attanosio (senior advisor, Young and Partners, LLC) explains how a public pharmaceutical company developed a new delivery system to adjustable dosing of oral medications by following each of several of Sun Tzu's basic principles: "Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight 100 battles with no danger of defeat." "Travel where there is no enemy." "Pursue one's strategic designs to overawe the enemy." "An army can be raised only when there is money at hand." "The general whose only i

Sun Tzu for today

If you liked the Art of War you will like this. I really liked the summary of all the rules at the end of the book.

Very relevant modern adaptation

I will try to to keep this short. All the other 5 stars point out the merits for this book. In short it gives modern insights to a very important book on strategy. Shows that true wisdom rings true for thousands of years. The criticisms that I have read on this book are true but are not really fair. This book is not designed to be a play by play guide for managers that have no insights of their own. If this book doesn't generate ideas for you without spoon-feeding examples and how to's then you will never lead a winning organization. You are a sheep not a shepherd. If one understands Sun Tzu, if not a master as no one really is, they would realize that any example given automatically is rendered useless. A widely publicized tactic lacks the element of surprise, rule #19. My criticism of it is that he doesn't understand history that well, at least the Revolutionary War. He cites things that are common misperceptions about that war to support his arguments. The rebels always employed unconventional tactics not just towards the end. Also almost all of the battles were fought conventionally and on open fields. This is contrary to what the author writes. Stick to business examples. Also citing Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski does little to advance his point. Who could have known and I'm sure any future editions will strike this reference. This book isn't perfect but if you are a shepherd and can generate ideas on your own then this book is for you. It will help give fire to the sparks you already have. Quit wasting time and order it. Assume your competitor has already read it and is using its insights against you.

Effective strategies for handling a multitude of conflicts

"Make an estimate of the situation" and "fight only the battles you can win," are but two of the strategic rules outlined in Gerald A. Michaelson's translation of "The Art of War". Chinese strategist, Sun Tzu wrote the original 7000-word treatise 2500 years ago, and today his view of military strategy continues to be studied worldwide, not only by military commanders but also by others who seek to develop a winning strategy. "The Art of War for Managers" is an excellent book, easy to read with translations of the ancient text boiled down to fifty short simple rules that can be used by managers in a variety of career fields. Each of the thirteen chapters serves to group the strategic rules for easy reference and study while providing a "Manager's Commentary" which serves as a contemporary example of Sun Tzu's strategic points. Michaelson also provides his readers with a section of detailed examples from managers who have adopted one or more of Sun Tzu's strategies, as well as an outline of the key concepts detailed in each chapter. In the West, we tend to have the attitude that we must win all of the time, or win at any cost. Michaelson's translation and interpretation of Sun Tzu provides insight that suggests that we must choose our battles rather than fight every battle, and that there are ways to win without fighting at all. Each of the fifty strategic rules in this book will provide the reader the opportunity to develop effective strategies to handle a multitude of conflicts, and is well worth the time investment.

Many Questions Answered

If you work for a Japanese company, this book is required reading. After you read and fully understand the content, the daily logic "or lack there of" you experience while working with or for the Japanese will be answered. I also recommend Winning the Marketing War. Author (Gerald A. Michaelson)A Mitsubishi Employee