Sun Tzu

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Even More Relevant and Valuable Today - Rated
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 in 2001 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!

Easy to understand & read - Rated
Gerald Michaelson has done an excellent job of summarising different translations & extracting business lessons from AoW.

Very easy to read & allows the reader to draw their own interpretations as well.

Recommended to anyone who wants some tips on war in the corporate world without delving into complex translations.

Very dynamic for businessmen that are committed to success - Rated
Mr. Michaelson displayed a rare ability to explain the Chinese version into a understandable text. Success in todays manufacturing world is hard to come by. The knowledge gained regarding marketing strategy and process improvement techniques has become very valuable in my personal career as a Materials Manager.

A required field manual for marketing war competitors. - Rated
Michaelson's subject, predicate,and direct object style of writing in "Sun Tzu:The Art of War for Managers" makes this reading a professional must for all hands who would venture into the marketing wars. Michaelson applies Sun Tzu's ancient theories on the strategy (Doing the right thing!) and tactics (Doing things right!)to the dynamics of corporate business today.Michaelson has condensed much of the previous good information he passed in his earlier book, "Winning the Marketing War".I would recommend this latest effort by Gerald Michaelson to all young Americans entering the competitive world of business. As a former Marine, I would place it at the same level as our "Small Wars Manual" and the "Landing Party Manual", and these manuals equated to the Bible as far as I was concerned. The truth is out there, and Gerald Michaelson will help to show you the way. Semper Fidelis, Bruce M. Mac Laren Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (ret)

Great application of the Sun Tzu classic to business. - Rated
If you want to get a clear understanding of how this Sun Tzu classic applies to todays business situations, this is the best book to read. Michaelson has done his homework, and provides excellent and clear examples of how these time proven principles can help the modern businessman.

Michaelson's pragmatic writing style gets right to the point and his examples are useful. I strongly recommend the book to anyone interested in business strategy.