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Page 30 Obey Fundamental Principles Sun Tzu continues: Thus, there are five points in which victory may be predicted: 1. He who knows when to fight and when not to fight will win. 2. He who understands how to handle both superior and inferior forces will win. 3. He whose ranks are united in purpose will win. 4. He who is well prepared and lies in wait for an enemy who is not well prepared will win. 5. He whose generals are able and not interfered with by the sovereign will win. It is in these five points that the way to victory is known. Therefore, I say: Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat. When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning and losing are equal. If ignorant both of your enemy and of yourself, you are sure to be defeated in every battle. Sun Tzu's Fundamental Principles Adapted for Business 1. Understand when to launch the offensive. Good information sources will help you know when to take offensive action and when to withhold it. 2. Allocate resources. Use different strategies when inferior and superior. 3. Plan a united effort. Secure a common belief at all levels in a common vision. 4. Take advantage of opportunities. Be prepared to act when others are unprepared. 5. Decentralize. Each unit leader must know his or her area and be empowered with authority.
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