The Big Tangible Picture: Gaming the System (1)

Introduction

The Chinese strategy classics emphasized that the successful strategist is one who comprehends the configuration of their terrain (and beyond). Thenfore he or she is able to connect the prevalent dots and then reap the rewards. ... Connecting the dots means that he or she will be able to neutralize the prowess of their current competition and the other future competitors by using the scope of their terrain as the starting point. ... (We will touch on these specifics behind this approach in our book.) ... Retrospectively, this concept is quite superior to the usual approach of direct confrontation that is favored by the many amateurs.

Gaming the System

出空擊虛，避其所守，擊其不意

"Enter the gap, attack the voids, evade the defended area and

strike the competition where he/she does not expect you." -Cao Cao.

To compete properly in our semi-transparent information economy, one has to understand the PESTO configuration of their terrain.

Rick Perry, the Texas Governor and Republican presidential candidate was able to find someone who understood the rules of the U.S. political game. This talented person discovered the gap that enabled Governor Perry to quickly fill his coffers.

Money is the mother's milk of politics." - Jesse Marvin Unruh

Having coffers of money does not always guaranteed the immediate victory to the favored.

In 2008, McCain defeated Romney for the GOP presidential nomination despite that he was outspent 10 to 1 . McCain won by focusing on a common message that connected to the masses of voters.

Side note: To gain the consensus of the masses, one focuses on fulfilling their basic needs.

Summary

The successful strategist focuses on knowing how the grand system works before ever thinking about how to beat the actual competition.

Compass Rule: Know how the system works before identifying why it works.

Questions From the Compass Desk

1. What strategic attributes are in your Big Tangible Picture?
2. How do you see your Big Tangible Picture?
3. Can you see the tangible connections between the various political factors and the economic factors?
4. Are you able to prioritize the collected intelligence?
5. Do you know the quality specifics behind your collected intelligence?
6. If one cannot see the connections, how can he or she assessed the Big Tangible Picture?
7. Without a good assessment of your Big Tangible Picture, what is the probability of you prevailing over your competition?