Hide a Dagger Behind a Smile: Use the 36 Ancient Chinese Strategies to Seize the Competitive Edge [Paperback]

Kaihan Krippendorf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008

Business is warfare. Western business has been inculcated in the belief that business is about win/win solutions. However, in today's global marketplace there isn't fairness - there are winners and losers. Today's competitive terrain calls for new tactics as well as an understanding of how your opponents approach the world.Using ancient Eastern philosophy and military tactics from "The 36 Stratagems", "Hide a Dagger Behind a Smile" shows how to create unpredictable corporate strategies. Weaving the story of each strategy with contemporary case studies from top business and strategic management schools, each chapter analyses a company's situation, options, decisions and results.The book is divided into four parts: Polarity - explores the balance of opposing forces; Yielding - illustrates alternatives to confrontations; Continuous Change - shows how to thrive in fluid situations; and, Indirect Action - proposes alternatives to head-on conflict."Hide a Dagger Behind a Smile" is a timely and timeless resource for executives and corporate strategists looking to win their most contentious battles.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kaihan Krippendorff is a former consultant with McKinsey & Company and the author of The Art of the Advantage: 36 Strategies to Seize the Competitive Edge (Thomson/TEXERE 2003). He is the President of The Strategy Learning Center, a business education firm that helps large companies worldwide including Microsoft, Ryder, Pfizer, and DHL outthink their competition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Platinum Press (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598693808
• ISBN-13: 978-1598693805
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > History > Ancient > China
  • #99 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Teams

More About the Author

Kaihan is the author of "The Art of the Advantage: 36 Strategies to Seize the Competitive Edge" and President of The Strategy Learning Center. He helps large and small companies beat their competition and helps executives develop strategic thinking skills.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant guide to strategic thinking!!, March 28, 2008

By 

D. Wittenburg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hide a Dagger Behind a Smile: Use the 36 Ancient Chinese Strategies to Seize the Competitive Edge (Paperback)

At first the title made me think this was another Sun Tzu kill-your-competition but, but it actually is a more profound and sophisticated explanation of ancient Taoist concepts and how they apply to business and creativity in the modern world of business. The book is a good read straight through, or if you prefer, read it more slowly and really contemplate the application of the stratagems as part of your daily life. I found the material to be profound enough to really make in impact in the way that I see the playing field in my business. This is a must read for people with a keen interest in developing their strategic thinking capacity. I'm ready for the next book by the author!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mind full of stratagems is an unstoppable mind, November 22, 2009

By 

Jorge Barba "MaNcHiLd" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hide a Dagger Behind a Smile: Use the 36 Ancient Chinese Strategies to Seize the Competitive Edge (Paperback)

As a business strategist I recognize that The 36 Chinese Strategies are a set of patterns that when used in conjunction give you endless options in any competitive situation. I advise you to read this book and keep it by your side as a reference, it will give you the feeling that you have an endless array of stratagems at your disposal.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure for both the academic scholars and business executives, April 22, 2008

By 

Michael (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hide a Dagger Behind a Smile: Use the 36 Ancient Chinese Strategies to Seize the Competitive Edge (Paperback)

An excellent and profound work! The author takes the interpretation of ancient Chinese wisdom on strategy to an unprecedented, in my opinion, level and makes it immediately relevant to western management. The abundance of cases studies with real companies sets the book apart from other works in this area. The author masterfully applies the abstract language of the 36 Stratagems in the context of modern business strategy and illustrates it with what it seems like hundreds of specific examples. As a business professional myself I can attest that this certainly adds tremendous credibility and real value. I think this book is a treasure for both the academic scholars and business executives, as it offers a body of sound research, as well as a specific guidance to action. I highly recommend this book!