More Notes on the Seven Military Classics of Ancient China (Sunzi Art of War and More)

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Reflections of the Seven Classics Plus One

While the Sunzi essay delineates the philosophical side of strategy, the Sun Bin book delineates the operational groundwork behind a competitive campaign. In other words. one uses Sunzi principles to understand the configuration of a situation while using the principles of Sun Bin, Wuzi and Wei Liaozi to delineate the configuration of the logistics that is behind the situation.

Serious strategic thinkers of all sorts have always preferred to read Jiang Tai Gong (JTG) essay due to its emphasis on understanding a strategic side of campaign from top-down viewpoint. 

The Wuzi classic has become the relevant guide for those who need a solid view on the subject of strategic preparation.

Applying the Crux of the Seven Classics and Sun Bin to a Competitive Scenario
Unlike the "amateurish" Art of War cult who thrived on inspiring the masses through the action of a quote a minute, we have always believed in the active model of staying ahead of the curve through the action of assessing, positioning and influencing. 

Some of them are focused on the goal of getting to their destination first without understanding the configuration of the Big Tangible Picture. 

When competing in our global economy, the timeline is short while the quantity of resources is limited. Concurrently the quantity of the quality competitors has increased by five -fold. Changes are coming so fast. 

To adjust to those mentioned factors, what would a budding strategist's next move?

Do you really understand the configuration of your  Big Tangible Picture?

Utilizing the Foundation Eight Military Classics (Seven Classics + Sun Bin) as a Competitive Foundation
By reading these eight classics, you will be able to comprehend the configuration of your situation by connecting points from these five macro categories (the civil fundamentals, the martial fundamentals, the leadership fundamental, the tactical essentials and the tactical specifics.)

The Dao of Assessing the Situation
Seeing the causation and the effect from one relevant categories of specifics to another, is one of the numerous keys to good strategic assessment.  The challenge is to identify the appropriate factors and connecting those factors for certain situations.

Comments From the Compass Desk
"Instead of conquering through combat or achieving the fabled hundred victories in a hundred clashes, Li’s aim was victory without combat so as to preserve the state rather than debilitate it in warfare. " - Sawyer's translation of Strategies for the Human Realm: Crux of the T'ai-pai Yin-ching

Do you want to grind your way toward their target without ever understanding the Big Tangible Picture (BTP)? Each negative step would increase the amount of labor while decreasing your threshold of resources.  Most who do, regularly faltered in their campaign. Who wants to join them? Do you?

Understanding the Big Tangible Picture is a good skill to have. especially if one is dealing in a situation with minimum time line and limited resources. It also allows you to comprehend the following:

• the connectivity of the significant particulars from a top down perspective; 
• the possible opportunities; and 
• the approach for capitalizing on it 

Would you consider that skill as a strategic advantage? 

Utilizing it as a process model will be discussed in a future post or in our future book project.
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