23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Even More Relevant and Valuable Today, February 6, 2006
The review which follows is of a book which I read when it was first published in 1999. I recently re-read it. Here are my reactions to it seven years later.
Many of those who read my reviews are owners/CEOs of small businesses. Whenever I receive an e-mail from one of them asking me to recommend books which will be of greatest practical value, I always include a choice of R.L. Wing's or Samuel B. Griffith's translation of Sun Tzu's The Art of War on the list. Occasionally, someone who has read The Art of War asks for a recommendation of related sources. There are several to select from, notably The Art of Business: In the Footsteps of Giants written by Raymond T. Yeh and Stephanie H. Yeh; two books by Mark R. McNeilly, Sun Tzu and the Art of Business and Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare; and this one, which I read when it was first published and only now am I reviewing. Here are a few of the reasons for my rating of Michaelson's book.
First, Michaelson has selected and then discusses 50 "strategic rules" suggested by Sun Tzu's classic. To facilitate and support periodic review, the key concepts are summarized on pages 169-190 and range from" Thoroughly Assess Conditions" to "Practice Counterintelligence." Don't expect any head-snappers. The greatest value of The Art of War is that it helps, indeed insists that its reader think strategically. (Please keep in mind that it was written 2,500 years ago.) Michaelson fully understands that. His purpose is to apply ancient concepts to major perils and opportunities in the contemporary.
I also appreciate Michaelson's provision of several reader-friendly sections such as those in which he quotes a passage from The Art of War and then offers a "translation" of its relevance, followed by a "Manager's Commentary" in which he recommends appropriate application of Sun Tzu's insight. Throughout his rigorous and eloquent narrative, Michaelson also includes checklists such as the one found on page 114 when he identifies "key ingredients" which are common to all growing organizations: customer focus by creating systems that deliver perceived value; selection (i.e. hiring) of decent as well as competent people; and then training them with highly-interactive learning sessions which are both formal and on-the-job.
Finally, I hold this book in high regard because Michaelson also includes 13 brief but insightful commentaries by senior-level executives who share their own real-world experiences. Fort example, Domminick Attanosio (senior advisor, Young and Partners, LLC) explains how a public pharmaceutical company developed a new delivery system to adjustable dosing of oral medications by following each of several of Sun Tzu's basic principles:
"Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight 100 battles with no danger of defeat."
"Travel where there is no enemy."
"Pursue one's strategic designs to overawe the enemy."
"An army can be raised only when there is money at hand."
"The general whose only interest is to protect his people and promote the best interests of his sovereign is the precious jewel of the state."
"The enlightened rulers must deliberate upon the plans to go to battle, and good generals generally execute them,."
"To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence."
Obviously, it would be a fool's errand to manage by slogans but even more foolish to ignore what can be learned from sources such as Sun Tzu's The Art of War. The knowledge these sources provide can -- and should -- guide and inform the careful selection and then effective execution of appropriate strategies and tactics. Credit Michaelson with a thorough understanding and brilliant interpretation of what can be learned from arguably the world's first management consultant.
Bravo!
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27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Effective strategies for handling a multitude of conflicts, December 2, 2003
This review is from: Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers; 50 Strategic Rules (Paperback)
"Make an estimate of the situation" and "fight only the battles you can win," are but two of the strategic rules outlined in Gerald A. Michaelson's translation of "The Art of War". Chinese strategist, Sun Tzu wrote the original 7000-word treatise 2500 years ago, and today his view of military strategy continues to be studied worldwide, not only by military commanders but also by others who seek to develop a winning strategy. "The Art of War for Managers" is an excellent book, easy to read with translations of the ancient text boiled down to fifty short simple rules that can be used by managers in a variety of career fields. Each of the thirteen chapters serves to group the strategic rules for easy reference and study while providing a "Manager's Commentary" which serves as a contemporary example of Sun Tzu's strategic points. Michaelson also provides his readers with a section of detailed examples from managers who have adopted one or more of Sun Tzu's strategies, as well as an outline of the key concepts detailed in each chapter. In the West, we tend to have the attitude that we must win all of the time, or win at any cost. Michaelson's translation and interpretation of Sun Tzu provides insight that suggests that we must choose our battles rather than fight every battle, and that there are ways to win without fighting at all. Each of the fifty strategic rules in this book will provide the reader the opportunity to develop effective strategies to handle a multitude of conflicts, and is well worth the time investment.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Many Questions Answered, April 1, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers; 50 Strategic Rules (Paperback)
If you work for a Japanese company, this book is required reading. After you read and fully understand the content, the daily logic "or lack there of" you experience while working with or for the Japanese will be answered.
I also recommend Winning the Marketing War. Author (Gerald A. Michaelson)
A Mitsubishi Employee
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