Know the “enemy” and know yourself
The strategies recorded in ancient military treatise The Art of War by Sun Tzu continue to be applicable to many aspects of life today as many of the oft-used quotes are based on pragmatism and practicality. Toda, they remain useful and timely reminders for enterprises, especially small and medium-sized business entities.
With their limited resources, SMEs that are looking to expand their footprint to gain greater market share need to tread more cautiously than established companies. The Sun Tzu axiom that comes to mind is 知己知彼，百戰不殆. Used in context, the maxim urges the SME to know itself well so as to maximise its chances of success, while minimising the potential for failure.
In this bulletin, we feature three SMEs that have successfully worked with UOB-SMU Alliance Enterprise Institute’s Consulting Programme to improve their businesses. Through feasibility studies based on scientific and methodological approaches – the hallmark of our Consulting Programme – the SMEs were able to make more informed decisions based on extensive data and objective findings.
Over 2,500 years ago, Sun Tzu had advocated 知己知彼，百戰不殆 as well as 不知彼，不知己，每战必殆 discerning when to fight and when not to fight otherwise the outcome could be disastrous. Through the Consulting Programme, the SMES better recognised their strengths and weaknesses and the competitive business environment, and also received recommendations on how to bring their business forward.
“In war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak”, said the military treatise. Don’t go into a saturated market dominated by conglomerates with deep pockets. Find out where “the weak” is, because it may well present you with a unique opportunity to launch your niche product, and emerge the winner. Come talk to us – let us arm you for victory.
Charge forward with Learning and Discovery!
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