守則不足攻則有餘
Sun Tzu
If a military force is on the defensive, it indicates that they do not have enough strength to take the fight to the enemy, and therefore they are at a disadvantage. On the other hand, if a military force is on the offensive, it suggests that they have an abundance of strength and are able to take the fight to the enemy, giving them an advantage in battle. In other words, Sun Tzu is saying that being on the offensive is a sign of strength, while being on the defensive is a sign of weakness.
A business on the defensive is weak; one on the offensive is strong and actively taking decisive action to gain a competitive advantage.
When a business is on the defensive, it means that it is not taking an active approach to pursuing opportunities in the market. This can be a sign of weakness, as the business may lack the necessary resources or ability to compete with other companies. On the other hand, if a business is on the offensive, it means that it is actively seeking out opportunities and taking decisive action to gain a competitive advantage. This can be seen as a sign of strength, as the business is taking an assertive approach and demonstrating that it has the ability to compete and succeed in the market. In this way, the quote is suggesting that a business that is on the offensive is likely to be stronger and more successful than one that is on the defensive.