The Art of War for Executives: Ancient Knowledge for Today's Business Professional

by Donald G. Krause

Book Overview

Success is an art form that few can master. Here, Sun Tzu's ancient principles of war, reinterpreted for the modern businessperson, offer the skills to gain an advantage and achieve success on the corporate battlefield...and the strategies to win at work when conflicts arise.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399534105
• ISBN13: 9780399534102
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Tarcherperigee
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.2" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Strategies of Competition Based on the Writings of Sun Tzu

One of the growing methodologies of business books is to take the writings of some long-ago sage, and to apply the wisdom shown to modern conditions. This is one of the more useful examples of such a book. Sun Tzu, a Chinese general of 2500 years ago, was able to unify China by skillful use of limited power. The author takes the writings themselves, and then applied the ideas of modern business thinkers (Tom Peters, Peter Drucker, Warren Bennis, and others) and military strategists (Helmuth von Moltke, George S. Patton, J.F.C. Fuller) to them. The result is an interesting mixture of a translated Sun Tzu with provocative aphorisms and analysis. Aimed at business readers, this book is also valuable in wider contexts such as volunteer organizations, non-profits, sports, government, competitive activities of all kinds--and of course modern day military ventures. No one has unlimited resources to pursue all desirable objectives, and the advice of this book, while unlikely to be startingly new to most readers, is fresh and well stated. The basic analogy here is between war as practiced by Sun Tzu and every day competive activities for rewards large and small, individual, organizational, and societal. "Sun Tzu's central idea is that battles or competition are won by the organization or person who, first, has the greatest competitive advantage and who, second, makes the fewest mistakes. Competitive advantage can be provided by many factors including superior manpower, superior position, superior execution, and innovation....But competitive advantage is not the determining factor in success. It is people who fight and win battles. And the most important person in the battle is the general. "According to Sun Tzu, the ideal general wins the war before the fighting begins. He does this in two ways: first, he develops his character over time; second, he creates a critical strategic advantage....A general gains a critical strategic advantage by placing his organization in a position where it cannot be defeated and waiting for the enemy to give him an opportunity to win.... "Sun Tzu's army is modeled on what can be termed a "natural organization" model. Natural organizations have three characteristics. First, they exist to serve a defined purpose....Second, they are information centered....They avoid unwarranted opinion and conjecture, choosing to deal with uncertainty by estimating reasonable probabilities. Third, natural organizations are completely flexible and totally adaptable. They respond quickly and effectively to changes in their environment that affect their ability to serve their defined purpose." The author defines Sun Tzu's principles in modern jargon as (1) Learn to fight; (2) show the way; (3) do it right; (4) know the facts; (5) expect the worst; (6) sieze the day; (7) burn the bridges; (8) do it better; (9) pull together; (10) keep them guessing. "Competition should occur when we have something important to gain or when we ar

Very good for executives with limited exposure to Sun Tzu

This book is excellent for businessmen who have had little or no exposure to Sun Tzu or the Art of War. In very plain, simple and easy to read language it makes a clear bridge between the art of business and the art of warfare. Some will say that this book is too simplistic, but the real question is why would this book have to be difficult or too involved? The Art of War is a simply written book, but it is the lessons that are hard to grasp and understand. Plain language does not automatically denote simple thoughts. The best authors and teachers in the world are the ones who can simplify the most difficult theories and make them accessible to everyone.I think this book does just that and is an excellent beginning point for businessmen and their introduction to The Art of War and Chinese philosophy.

A Simple, Useful Guide

What I liked about Krause's book was the way he explains the teachings of Sun Tzu for the simple folk. He wrote the book to help the business man or woman. It helped me see the deeper lessons Sun Tzu has to offer as well--lessons about life.

Rich with meaning

Krause translates each paragraph of each chapter of the Art of War into simple and easy to read business language. On the first read, it may seem almost too simple. But on the second and third reads, the deeper meaning began to shine through. I suspect I will uncover some new insight with every reading.

The foundation of good business thought

This book has earned my highest offer, I often cart it around my house and I always know where it is. It serves me as being a "Owner's Manual" for every aspect of business. The author does an excellent job in applying the words of an ancient warrior to today's business operations. I have never found any other book that simply spells out success in competition like this does. This book has become the basis of the way that I think about my business transactions. Don't let the name fool you, one of the primary points of this book is if a battle is fought and won correctly, you will never have to shed any blood on the battle field. It teaches you that skill, not size, is the most important factor in doing business