The Wu Xing Wu Ying Bk Prjt!

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Lets begin this post with the question. It is an interesting question for those who are competitive.  Now, click here for part one of the answer (This post offers the perspective from the Art of War).  If it does not make sense, then click here for part two of the answer (This post offers another viewpoint from the game of Go (Weiqi).)

The Next to the Final Stage of the Answer
This is not a game theory situation, where there is a direct contest between two principals and everything is near-obvious.  In a competitive situation where there are many involving strategic factors.  Depending on the quality of information,  the situation could be quite complex.

The clues to this approach can be found in the first two sections of Jiang Tai Gong (JTG's) Six Secret Teachings and chapter one of the Art of War.

Step One: Understand the scope of the situation.  
By being two steps ahead of the game,  the successful strategists can play the Jiang Tai Gong approach of pre-positioning and luring.  You can find a good example in the 2010's Samurai movie classic "The 13 Assassins" where the protagonists knew the route, the strategic power and the tendencies of their target. Then, they altered their target's grand setting for the purpose of influencing him toward their lethal trap while transforming other portions of their own setting for the purpose of gaining a higher state of strategic power.

Sun Bin at Mai Ling is a good historical example.  ...  We will post the additional steps in the future.

Minor Jottings
Unlike what the Cult of the Art of War tells their followers, one cannot learn this skill from reading the Art of War.  It offers to the novices a mere glimmer of hope.   As many of us know, that hope is not a strategy or a destination.  

You need a methodology.  ... Good strategic assessment begins by knowing the Big Tangible Picture of each principal in terms of their objectives, their approaches, the means and the modes.  ... Understanding the complexity, the connectivity, the consistency and the continuity of a Big Tangible Picture are some of the key points to a good strategic assessment.  

Those who are competitively ambitious, could build this exotic skill through the game of Go (weiqi) where misdirecting and luring are the norms.   He or she might get lucky in understanding the mechanics of these grand concepts after playing a minimum of 10 thousand games.  

So, how did we learned this unique concept?  

We spent numerous hours talking to the various "no-name" experts who indirectly revealed their views to us.   ...  Humorously, those who know, don't really say.  ... They have only offered their hints to us through their stories and their actions.

So do you think the possession of  this unique skill, will assist you in a chaotic competitive situation?

Sun Bin 
What happens to those who are two moves behind?
They can be gamed into
Depended on their They can "game" their competition into a very quick downfall.

Sun Bin was a student of Wang Xu (aka Master Ghost Valley).   

In his school, he and his classmates were first instructed to the concepts of Jiang Tai Gong's Six Secret Teachings .  (Sun Bin was later given a copy of Sunzi by his instructor.)  We have surmising that he re-learned the approach of "baiting and luring" from reading chapter one and two of that essay and practiced it a few times before ever implementing it in a macro situation. 

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One of the many objectives of a successful strategist is to become two moves ahead of the the competition.

Side note: This is is an oldie but goody subject matter with a few technical updates.

Minor Jottings 

For specific strategic modeling, we utilized an exotic process model that integrates the concepts and the principles from Jiang Tai Gong, (the Father of Chinese Strategic Studies and the writer of Six Secret Teachings), Sunzi's AoW and other strategic essays. 

The Jiang Tai Gong approach of strategic development is quite different from Sunzi's Art of War. It emphasizes that proper intelligence gathering begins by observing the projection of the chief decision makers while profiling their motives and their methods.  

This approach enables the successful strategist to understand how the configuration of his strategic situation operates from a top down perspective while maneuvering from the ground level. 

We will touch on that topic one day.

The Cult of the Art of War

The Fantasy of the Sunzi Cult   The Fantasy of the Sunzi Cult  
In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy ís country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.
--- Lionel Giles

Sunzi cult have always preferred to talk about the philosophical 

In most  conflicts, there are body counts.  People like to  

I have met those 
The more in

Today is your day.  .. 

A Near Summation of Zhang Liang's History

One of our favorite strategists is Zhang Liang. 

Click here on his  role on the battle of  Gaixia,

Click here on his wikipedia profile


One can see him in the Last Supper and The White Vengeance.

/// Applying the Bill Walsh's 25 Opening Plays (Starter) Script to Competitive Business Situations ///

One of the most shared traditions in the sport of football is scripting the first 15 to 25 plays against the opposing defense.  

As mentioned previously, it is designed to perform the following objectives:

• Reveal the general intent of the competitor;
• 
  

   

In business, one

Global TRIZ Day

On October 15, some idea generators (engineers, strategists, etc.) celebrate the birthday of Genriсh Altshuller (inventor of TRIZ) and Global TRIZ Day. His methodology could be beneficial to the problem solvers who deal with problems relating to technology, scientific, social, environmental, political, etc.  The Triz methodology only works effectively when or if the implementers can properly assess the Dao of their object.

Culture is Strategy (Thoughts From The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China)

(updated on 10.03.17)

 To establish a positive strategic culture, it begins with quality leadership.

Following is a listing of those components that establishes this category of leadership:

• the strategic direction (from the senior executives);
• the power and authority;
• the quality of Command and Control;
• the quality of Unity;
• the Dao of Field Managers;
• the quality of strategic organization, administration and discipline;
• the proper evaluation of  people;
• the proper employment of people;
• the motivation of the field expeditors;
• the psychology of competition;
• rewards and punishments; and 
• instruction and training.

 More to come.  ... 

Some Notes From Sawyer's Lever of Power

Following is the text from the back cover

Despite being disparaged as the refuge of the weak and pernicious, the chosen mode of Asiatic and other duplicitous peoples, ever since antiquity deceptive measures have enabled dramatic battlefield success by acting as a “lever or power.” Historical records unequivocally show both China and the West have virtually unbroken traditions of innovating deceit and employing deception. Western tacticians theorized less, but they well recognized the advantages of deceit, maneuver, betrayal, and false treaties.

            Lever of Power comprehensively examines deception’s historical evolution in China and the West; provides extensive translations of important Chinese, Greek, and Latin military writings on the concept; and characterizes the chief measures in terms of method, dynamics, and objective. Numerous important, commonly recognized historical exemplifications – many still assiduously studied in PRC think tanks -- are provided for each category, resulting in a fundamental study of deception that synthesizes theory and illustrative case studies.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Ralph Sawyer, a leading student of intelligence and strategy, is the world’s authority on Chinese theory and practice about these matters. The research is phenomenal and the book summarizes his ideas with power and elegance. No one interested in deception and strategy can afford to miss it.”

Dr. John Ferris, Authorized Historian, GCHQ

Professor of History, University of Calgary

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ralph D. Sawyer is a historical scholar and strategic consultant who has specialized in Chinese military and intelligence issues for five decades. His well reviewed analytical writings include the companion volume, The Tao of Deception: Unorthodox Warfare in Historic and Modern China, The Tao of Spycraft, Ancient Chinese Warfare, Conquest and Domination, and Fire and Water. His highly praised translations, all of which feature extensive historical introductions, range from the groundbreaking Seven Military Classics of Ancient China through Sun-tzu’s Art of War, Sun Pin’s Military Methods, the Hundred Unorthodox Strategies, Strategies for the Human Realm, The Tao of War, and Zhuge Liang: Strategy, Achievements, and Writings. A long term Fellow of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies and a visiting scholar at numerous institutions, he continues to be a Senior Research Fellow with the Warring States Project.

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Click here if you are interested in purchasing this book.

Some News on Dr. Ralph Sawyer's "Latest" Book: Lever of Power

An associate sent me the covers of Dr. Sawyer's latest book. 

Those who are interested in implementing a higher grade of deception strategies should be interested in this book.

Remembering the Inventor of Triz

(updated on 09.15.17)

Click here on a quick summation on the life of Genrich Altshuller.

Click here on a quick summation on what is Triz.

The Dao of the Amateur Spycraft

(updated on 090717 at 12:12 hrs)

Securing sound and solid intelligence is the first step to establishing an efficient strategic position.  

The Boston Red Sox took that strategic pointer to a different level through technological means.  However, they got caught by their favorite rival.  Now the Red Sox is forced to admit that they have cheated.

Regardless of the outcome, one must contemplate about the lesson that is learned.  ...  Those who pursue this practice, must properly master the projected informational gathering technique before ever executing it in the field.  Being exposed for using it is usually embarrassing.  ...  

The Pragmatic Practice
This situation could have been avoided if the Red Sox had carefully utilize more than one signaler in each game and switched them during each inning for each individual games. 

Training each signalers properly in terms of initial signals and contingency signals, would have been helpful too. Therefore the Yankees would not have caught them.  

Problem: If the receiver of the signal does not possess the "emotional-intellectual" capacity to absorb the information, then he will be confused and lose track of what to do next.

The better strategic move was to expose the Yankees for the same action first.   

Conclusively, this exposure is more about gamesmanship than anything else.  In spite of this situation, both teams has to play the actual game.  

The Theory of Strategic Positioning
The "strategic positioning" concept is about gaining a position that gives the field team the advantage of anticipating a minimum of two steps ahead while moving a minimum of half a move ahead.

Depending on the timeline factor and the resources factors, the next step is determining the most efficient strategic approach.  (That is another topic)

The Compass View 
In the information economy,  most of our public actions are always being monitored and recorded.  It is important to always contemplate carefully on implementing the right strategic moves while be mindfully aware of establishing the strategic position.

When deciding on the type of strategic position, knowing the timeline and the efficiency rate of the available resources for the current situation and its prioritization to the Big Tangible Picture always help.


Minor Update
Click here on the latest update on Red Sox's Spy Gate.

Side note: A ballplayer using a mouthguard as a listening device is moderately possible because of the constant evolution of technology.  However, would that person be perceived as insane for doing so? 

Happy Labor Day

 

Drink some beer.  ... How about a root beer float? 

Eat a burger or two.

In some instances, there will be people drinking some tea.

and other food of their choice.  

While consuming your meal, quietly reflect on the past and the present achievements of the laborers. 

Review on the tangibility of their achievements.  . . . Salute to them for their contributions with your positive thoughts and your favorite beverage.

Happy Labor Day!

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Questions That Smart Strategists Usually Ask When Assessing a Strategic Situation

(updated 09.06.17)

Following is an abridged list of questions for those who know how to recognize the tectonic specifics behind a complex strategic situation: 

• When assessing the complete configuration of the strategic situation, are the strategic components operating efficiently at 100% rate? 
• Based on the complete assessment of the strategic situation, do the conduit components currently exist?
• Based on the complete assessment of the strategic situation, where is the extreme opportunity scenario?
• Based on the complete assessment of the strategic situation, where is the strategic inflection position (SIP)?
• Based on the tactical qualities of those assessed components, is there a "most significant denominator" that could become a strategic multiplier?
• Based on the choice of the strategic multiplier, how scalable is it?
• Based on the choice of the strategic multiplier, how does the invariance factor of the current situation affects it?
• Based on the framework of the strategic multiplier, is it symmetrically enough to adjust to the criteria of the current strategic situation and/or to the criteria of the next strategic situation?
• Based on the choice of the strategic multiplier, does it possesses the strategic potential to influence other similar components to revolve around it?
• Based on the assessment of the situation, can the projected end-results become synchronized to other external strategic factors? 

These questions are for those operate with incomplete information.  

More to come

copyright 2017  Compass360 Consulting Group

The Opening Plays Script Book Project Is Still In Play

Source: publicdomainpictures.net

While we have been busy with our own personal projects, the opening plays book project is still in motion.  

We originally wrote the book with an assortment of principles from the Chinese strategic classics. 

That section was removed because we believed that it might confuse the "non-strategic" neophytes.

At some point of time, we might release it through this blog.

The new and improved book includes a section that compares the process of calling opening plays script to the analogy of the game of chess and the game of poker.   

So much to do.  ...

The Big Tangible Picture of Global Innovation from the Economist.com

Source: Wikipedia 

(updated 08/03/17)

Here is a post that we have forgotten to publish many months ago.  ..

Since you are reading this blog, we are presuming that you are a strategic thinker/implementer who could be "innovatively" focused.

Click here, click here and click here for the Economist magazine's viewpoint on global innovation.

Happy Independence Day.

Enjoy this glorious Day!

Can you have your cake and eat it?

Food For Thought: What Game Board Are You Operating From?

(updated on 07.01.17)

Most competitive people who usually assess their situation, almost always do not know what is the configuration of their situation (gameboard) that they are operating from.  

Is it from a western chess board perspective?  

Or is it from a poker game table perspective?

Better yet, is it from a go (weiqi) gameboard perspective?

Before you decide on your tactical approach, assess the configuration of your strategic terrain in terms of pathways, possible resources-decaying scenarios, possible time-delay scenarios and possible incline-based scenarios.

Playing From the Chessboard
Are you a knight on a chess board who is being pushed to the middle of the board to solve the problems of the employer?   Jumping from one position to another while avoiding the obstacles is your daily modis operandi.
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Or are you an isolated pawn who pushes yourself forward with some minor support from someone in the back ranks?   

Do you offer advice like a bishop?  If so, does the boss listens to you?  

Or, do you offer technical insights like a rook while protecting the boss from external chaos?

Playing From the Poker Table 
In some tactical scenario, do you know when to start the game with an conservative "open"?  Better yet, do you know when to check and raise?  

Conclusively, it is all about knowing when to hold them.  Knowing when to fold them.   Knowing when to walk away. Knowing when to run.

Playing From the Go Game Board
If it is a long and sequential scenario, are you able to play one position while being mindful of the other relevant positions that connects to it?

Summary
One must know what is the configuration of the situation (game board) that he is playing on before deciding on the tactical approach.

More to Come
   

Another Interesting Translation of Sunzi's Art of War

If you are a project manager, this book offers an interesting perspective in managing complex projects through the principles of  Sunzi.   It uses the Lionel Giles translation.

Read and enjoy.  ...  Whenever there is time, we will review this book. 

I Have Been Busy. Gone Fishing.

Going fishing is easy.  Deciding on the type of fish is the challenge.

The Questions of the Day: 36 Strategies Vs. 100 Unorthodox Strategies

The members of the Art of War cult should know the answers for these following questions:

• What are the circumstances for using 36 Stratagems?
• What are the circumstances for using unorthodox strategies?

Thinking Unorthodox in Strategic Competition

Following is a abridged listing of our favorite books on this topic 

• The Tao of Spycraft;
• 100 Unorthodox Strategies;
• Tao of Deception; and 
• Li Quan's Crux of Strategy

More to come.  ...