The small business environment is now more challenging than it has been in many years. Gone are the days of growing your business with hard work alone, as in today’s new business climate, entrepreneurs must think strategically about innovative and unique ways to grow their business. Margins are tight, so that fighting it out head-to-head with your competition can result in a blood bath in which nobody wins. Small business leaders must simply work smarter, not harder.
While enduring the highs and lows of the economic changes over the past 15 years, I have sought inspiration from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War for guidance on how to best win market share over my stiff competition. Written more than 2500 years ago, The Art of War is regarded as a go-to for military leaders on warfare strategy. What’s amazing is that Sun Tzu’s teachings can also be adapted for business leaders to outsmart their competition.
Sun Tzu’s ancient text may provide clarity of strategy for small business owners on how to outsmart their competition without engaging them in a direct, profitless, nature. Here are some valuable lessons gleaned from The Art of War to help you best your competition:
