故用兵之法十則圍之五則攻之倍則分之
Sun Tzu
The size of an army should dictate the strategy used against an enemy. If a military force is significantly larger than the enemy, it is best to surround the enemy, effectively cutting off their supplies and support. If the force is only slightly larger, it is better to attack the enemy head-on. If the two forces are evenly matched in numbers, it is wise to divide the army into two, allowing for more flexibility and the ability to respond to different threats. Overall, Sun Tzu is emphasizing the importance of considering the size of the armies in determining the best course of action.
In business, if our advantage are ten to one over our competitor, surround him. If our advantage is five to one, compete aggressively. If two to one, divide our resources and focus on multiple fronts.
In business, it is important to consider the advantages we have over our competitors in order to determine the best strategy for success. If our advantage over our competitor is ten to one, it may be wise to surround them in order to completely overwhelm and outmaneuver them. This could mean expanding our product or service offerings to dwarf their offering. It could could also involve increasing our presence in the market by aggressively investing in advertising and marketing. Ultimately, we want to overwhelm and surround them in the market and make them seem insignificant.
If our advantage is five to one, we may choose to compete aggressively in order to maintain our dominant position in the market. This could involve implementing aggressive pricing strategies, promoting our superior products or services, and leveraging our strengths to gain a competitive edge.
However, if our advantage is only two to one, it may be more beneficial to divide our resources and focus on multiple fronts. This could involve diversifying our product or service offerings, entering new markets, and investing in research and development in order to maintain our competitive edge. By focusing on multiple fronts, we can ensure that we are not relying too heavily on a single advantage and are better able to adapt to changing market conditions.