Strategic Thinking Tool

Designed & Developed by : Wong Yew Yip ~ 17 July 2021
2
WHAT IS STRATEGIC THINKING?
Strategic thinking:
Strategic thinking involves stepping back
from your original organization so that you
can view it in a way that helps you to
understand what is important today, and
what you need to do to make it successful
in future.
Strategic thinking simply requires that you
collect different data and use the right
methods to help you understand what
really happens in your organization, and
where the possibilities reside. It is a
viewpoint that you will develop as you learn
it in this course.
Strategic Thinking precedes Strategic
Planning
Taking a step back
so that you can view it in a way
that helps you to understand
what is important today, and
what you need to do to make it successful in future
STRATEGIC THINKING is

What is Strategic Thinking?
In Strategic Thinking, you simply
need to collect data and information
from internal and external sources,
and use the right tools to help you
understand:
STRATEGIC THINKING
what really happens in your
organization and environment
what are the possibilities, and
what you need to focus on

 From a focus on the past to a
focus on the future
 From information to
transformation
 Make the most of limited
resources
 Enhance chances of success
 Get people on board
 Increase job satisfaction
Why Strategic Thinking?

Secrets of Strategic Thinking

It is widely accepted that
the best Strategic Thinking tool is . . .
Best Strategic Thinking Tool

SUN TZU ART OF WAR
To shift from“ defensive" to
"offensive“ mode, to
strategically think and lead
the organization to gain
competitive advantage by
employing Art of War
Strategies
Purpose of Sun Tzu Art of War

 Born in BC 535, in the Kingdom of Qi,
China
 Military family background, during a period
of military upheavals
 Hired as a General by Kingdom of Wu
 Invented the Science of Strategy which
were written in “equations”
 Cannot be simply translated, thus there are
some variations
 Strategic rules apply to any challenge in the
present although more than 2,500 years old
Who is Sun Tzu?

 Sun Tzu Art of War has been studied
by military leaders, politicians,
businessmen and others all over the
world for hundreds of years
 It is not just about war only
 It is a set of strategic thinking skills
designed to help you achieve your
objective in the most efficient way
possible
What is Sun Tzu Art of War?

☺ Compulsory text in USA West Point Military
College
☺ If I have read Sun Tzu Art of War before hand, I
will not be defeated - Napoleon
☺ The preferred and well studied text by Japanese
CEOs
☺ Used by USA military in the Gulf War
☺ Use Sun Tzu Art of War for business and
individual to put the company and individual
beyond defeat
☺ In recent years, "The Art of War" has become a
cult book for business leaders and is regarded
as essential reading for global entrepreneurs
seeking to master strategy
The Importance of Sun Tzu Art of War

Numerous Sun Tzu Art of War Books Written

Even Paris
Hilton, one of
USA’s most
recognizable
celebrity,
entrepreneur
and
international
influencer also
believes in Sun
Tzu Art of War

Strategy & Negotiation Expert
Gifted Motivational Speaker
Success Strategy & Sun Tzu Art of War Video
Osama El-Kadi on Sun Tzu Art of War

Sun Tzu Art of War is an universal tool like
life's Swiss Army Knife - applicable to all
situations to resolve all conflicts in your life
3 important words :
Strategy - a systematic process for
achieving long term goals
Skill - that can be learned for survival,
winning and success
Study - because natural reactions to
challenges are inappropriate

 Sun Tzu deals with 2 Basic Issues :
 What is my position? (5 strategic
elements)
 How can I advance that position?
 Listening is the most important skill
 Attack when the opponent is unprepared -
Disruptive Technology
 What is common in all great leaders? - Sun
Tzu

Sun Tzu’s Strategic Principles

The 2 Basic Principles of
Sun Tzu Art of War strategies
 What is my strategic position?
 How do I advance that position?
Sun Tzu’s Strategic Principles

The Art of War is governed by
5 Constant Facts/Strategic Elements:
道
dao
Moral
Law
Mission
天
tian
Heaven
Business
Climate
(Time)
地
di
Earth
Ground
(Place)
将
jiang
Commander
Leader
法
fa
Method
Process/
Systems
5 Constant Facts/Elements

The Moral Law / Mission
The Moral Law causes the people
to be in complete accord
with their ruler,
so that they will follow him
regardless of their lives,
undismayed by any danger

 The Organization’s Direction
 The Organization’s Strategies
 The Divisions’ Strategies
 Alignment of Actions
 The Moral Obligation

Company Assessment
 Does your Company have The Moral Law?
 What is your Company’s mission?
 Is the mission permeating throughout the
Company’s rank and file?
 Is the Company marching towards this mission?
 Are the rank and file willing to die (to sacrifice)
for the Company in pursuit of this mission?
Application of The Moral Law / Mission

Individual Assessment
 Do you have a mission in life?
 Is your mission in line with the Company’s
mission and your family’s mission?
 Is this mission always on your mind and your
heart is always burning with this mission?
 Are you spending your time in pursuit of this
mission?
 Are you enjoying yourself, helping yourself
and others in pursuit of your mission?
Application of The Moral Law / Mission

Heaven signifies night and day,
cold and heat, times and seasons
Company Assessment
 Assess changes in the Business Climate
 Future Forecast & Trends
Heaven / Business Climate (Time)
Heaven / Business Climate (Time)

Individual Assessment
1) How many times have you miss out on timing?
- Investment on stock + share
- Investment in property
- Business opportunity
- Social relationship
- Job promotion
2) How can I take cognizance of my present opportunity
and threat, in line with my mission and goals, to take
advantage of the Timing
3) Reflect on the missed Timing and how to sharpen
your skills to take advantage of Timing
Application of Heaven (Timing)

Earth comprises distances, great and small;
danger and security; open ground and narrow
passes; the chances of life and death
 Alliances & Partnerships
 Customers & Suppliers
Earth / Ground (Place)
Earth / Ground (Place)

1) The application of Ground factor
 Climate - solar energy
 Tourism - beaches, equatorial forest,
shopping, cultural diversity, security,
infra-structure, food
 Bio-tech - lingzhi, organic food, palm
oil, renewable timber resources
Application of Ground Factor

2) How does your company capitalize
on Ground factors?
 Raw material supply
 Cheap & efficient labor
 Capital market
 Supply of machinery & equipment
 Management talents & skill
 Technology, R&D
 Consumer market, local or overseas
- infra-structure services

3) As an individual, how can you capitalize
your Ground advantage?
 Your residence
 Office
 School
 Social activities
 Amenities (market, food stores, shopping
complexes)
 Infra-structure (road, power, water,
telecom, internet)
 Property appreciation
 Having home, then building business
 Geographical position to gain strategic
advantage

The Commander stands
for the virtues of :
 Wisdom (Knowledge, experience,
application)
 Sincerity (Trustworthiness)
 Benevolence
 Courage
 Strictness
The Commander / Leader
The Commander / Leader

Wisdom
- ability to recognize changing circumstances and to act expediently
Sincerity
- ability to have complete trust of subordinates, so that they have no
doubt of the certainty of rewards and punishment
Benevolence
- love of mankind, the ability to sympathize with others and to
appreciate the hard work and labor of his staff
Courage
- being brave and decisive and having the ability to gain victory by
capitalizing on opportunities without hesitation
Strictness
- ability to instill discipline and command respects and his troops
are in awe of him and are afraid of being discipline and
punishment
Application of Commander / Leader

5 Negative Qualities to Avoid
1) Recklessness
- he can be killed
2) Cowardice
- he can be captured
3) Quick-tempered
- he can easily be provoked
4) Sensitive to honor
- he can easily be insulted
5) Over compassionate
- he can easily be harassed
Application of Commander / Leader

 Methodology
- Shared mission and corporate culture
- SOP and control procedure
- Favorable environment factor
 Winning Tactic
- Execute like the swoop of the eagle or
the rush of the torrential waterfall
Method / Process, Systems
Method / Process, Systems

 Organization, control, signals,
procedures, designation of military
ranks, allocation of responsibilities,
logistics for supplies
 Effective policies, programs, operating
system and procedures, channel of
communication, organization structure,
line of authority and responsibility
 The evolving organization structure
Application of Method / Process, Systems

 New ideas - ISO, Internet, Walmart, IKEA,
McDonald, franchise
 What is the situation in your company? List
down areas that require improvement
 How is this applied to increase your personal
effectiveness?
- use of Time manager, notebook,
computer, hand phone
- your support system - secretary, car plus
driver, filing system, support personnel
Application of Method / Process, Systems

The fundamental principle of
Sun Tzu Art of War is DECEPTION
When strong, appear weak
When weak, appear strong
When near, appear to be distant
When distant, appear to be near
Use bait to lure them
Use confusion to take them
Attack where they are unprepared

1. All warfare is based on deception
2. Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's
unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him
where he has taken no precautions
3. To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape
4. Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a
matter of organization
5. Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the
enemy's strategy
6. It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to
conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you.
Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents
are recruited and used
10 Popular Sun Tzu Art of War Quotes

7. A military operation involves deception. Even though you are
competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear
to be ineffective
8. The best victory is when the opponent surrenders on its own
accord before there are any actual hostilities... It is best to win
without fighting
9. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the
acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme
of skill
10.Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his
resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress
10 Popular Sun Tzu Art of War Quotes

5 Strategic
Elements
2 Basic Principles
What is my Branch Strategic Position? How do I advance that Position?
Mission
Business Climate
(Time)
Ground (Place)
Leader
Process & Systems
My 3 Main
Competitors
My Organization’s Strategic Position vs
Competitor
How do I advance that Position?
1.
2.
3.
Applying Sun Tzu Art of War Tool

Thank You
Contact :
yewyip@gmail.com
for PowerPoint file

Strategic Thinking Tool

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