Sweeping Across the World Business Strategy Sun Tzu's Art of War

Author: Dongfang Ji Bai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-09
Features: The Art of War is a classic military treatise hailed as the "Crown of Military Classics." It is a shining gem of traditional Chinese culture, not only a treasure trove for strategic planning and military campaigns but also an excellent guide for navigating the business world and personal interactions. The original The Art of War consists of thirteen chapters with over 6,000 characters, yet its language is ancient and powerful, and its content is profound and extensive. It is the art of war, but not limited to war. Its principles have been extended to fields such as business management, strategy, geography, leadership, and psychology, influencing every aspect of modern society. We hope this book, The Art of War: A Business Strategy to Conquer the World, will help readers excel in today's fierce business competition.
"Understanding the terrain" is one of the "Five Matters" that a general must know according to Sun Tzu, and the subsequent Terrain Chapter further states: "Terrain is a helper to the army." "Know the heaven and the earth, and victory will be boundless." Zhang Yu, a commentator, noted: "In warfare, it is crucial to first understand the terrain." In business activities, opening a store, and conducting business, knowing the terrain is essential. Businesspeople often say, "To open a successful store, first secure the terrain." This refers to how to choose a store location. As Mencius wisely said, "Heavenly timing is no match for geographical advantage." Here, let's compare the global retail giants Walmart (U.S.) and Carrefour (France) in their China strategies. In 2003, Walmart's global sales reached $256.329 billion (approximately 2.12 trillion yuan), while Carrefour's were $79.69 billion (approximately 659.6 billion yuan), a difference of over three times. However, in the Chinese market, their positions were completely reversed. Carrefour's sales in China were 7.761 billion yuan (January–June 2004, data from the Ministry of Commerce), while Walmart's sales were less than half of that, only 3.723 billion yuan.
The Art of War is a classic of war but not limited to it. Its application has been widely extended to various aspects of modern life, including economics, foreign trade, and social interactions. It is the most revered military treatise since the Warring States period. The core of The Art of War is to strive for victory through wisdom. It contains universal truths applicable to all forms and levels of competition and conflict, making it the art of defeating enemies and the science of creating miracles. To fully grasp the essence of this monumental work and better serve the challenges and competition of modern life, with the full support of China Textile Publishing House, we have compiled this book that combines Sun Wu's biography, the classic The Art of War, its historical proofs and case studies, and modern business strategies based on The Art of War: The Art of War: A Business Strategy to Conquer the World.