STRATEGYBy Hannah Rhuelle B. Abellera

The book-published in 1954-revised editionIt has 4 parts:

- Strategy from 5th BC to 20th century AD

- Strategy of World War I- Strategy of World War II- Fundamentals of Strategy and

Grand Strategy

The Author Basil Henry Liddell

Hart British soldier,

military, historian and leading inter war-theorist

What is strategy?

The science or art of combining and employing the means of war in planning and directing large military movements and operations

A plan, method or series of maneuvers strategems obtaining a specific goal or result

(www.dictionary.com)

Indirect Approach Liddell Hart’s principle in war strategizing

“In strategy the longest way round is often the shortest way there; a direct approach to the object exhausts the attacker and hardens the resistance by compression, whereas an indirect approach loosens the defender's hold by upsetting his balance.”

8 Maxims of Strategy1. Adjust your end to your means.2. Keep your object always in mind, while adapting

your plan to circumstances.3. Choose the line (or course) of least expectation. 4. Exploit the lines of least resistance – so long as it

can lead you to any objective that would contribute to your underlying object.

5. Take a line of operation which offers alternative objectives.

6. Ensure that both plans and dispositions are flexible – adaptable to circumstances.

7. Do not throw your weight into a stroke whilst your opponent is on guard – whilst he is well place to parry or evade it.

8. Do not renew an attack along the same line (or in the same form) after it has once failed.

In relation to business… Indirect approach

Make a move that is least expected by the competitors – surprise them by your innovations

Attack on a weak part that would create an imbalance to your competitors

The competitors will be in a state of imbalance by being confused on how to react on a situation

Attacking directly will keep them strong because they already prepared for it

“Keep your object always in mind, while adapting your plan to circumstances.” Think more of the objective

of your business and focus on attaining it, avoid distractions

Learn to produce quality products/services, create specific steps on how to achieve this

Think very well if the moves you’ll be doing is worth taking, like, what products/services to offer; how to sell it; what is the target market; how do we allocate our resources; how could we maximize our earnings; and how to manage the business.

Example: To be the best maker of cell phones as well as be the most innovative in the world or to be the leading service-provider of database software in industries in the country

“Choose the line (or course) of least expectation. “

Think of the competitor’s weakness and put your shoes on them by thinking on how to respond

As for you to make further steps on how to strengthen that weak area

Hear the voice of your customers regularly through surveys and even casual interviews, they may have suggestions and comments on your products/services

Example: Your competitor is not innovative and slow in launching new products/services; add something new to a product

“Exploit the lines of least resistance – so long as it can lead you to any objective that would contribute to your underlying object.”

Once a move or plan is done, take the opportunity to do more, handle and manage your business well so as to be closer to the goal

Make sure to maintain, sustain and support your product/services

Let the customers crave for more of what you offer

Example: When Samsung launched Galaxy S III, customers craved for it, S III received 9million pre-orders

“Ensure that both plans and dispositions are flexible – adaptable to circumstances.”

Back up plan is needed, whether a plan succeeds or fails

Device a plan in continuing success and device also a plan on how to get rid of failure

Example: Apple vs. Samsung

According to Mr. Anshul Gupta, Principal Research Analyst at Gartner, Inc, both companies are dominating smartphone market,

the 2 companies managed to make the customers anticipate for its new apps and features

Company 2Q12Units

2Q12 Market Share

(%)

2Q11Units

2Q11 Market

Share (%)

Samsung 90,432.1 21.6 69,827.6 16.3

Nokia 83,420.1 19.9 97,869.3 22.8

Apple 28,935.0 6.9 19,628.8 4.6

ZTE 17,936.4 4.3 13,070.2 3.0LG Electronics 14,345.4 3.4 24,420.8 5.7

Huawei Device 10,894.2 2.6 9,026.1 2.1TCL Communications 9,355.7 2.2 7,938.9 1.9

HTC 9,301.2 2.2 11,016.1 2.6

Motorola 9,163.2 2.2 10,221.4 2.4Research In Motion 7,991.2 1.9 12,652.3 3.0

Others 137,233.4 32.8152,989.70 35.7

Total419,007.90 100.0

428,661.15 100.0

Table 1Worldwide Mobile Device Sales to End Users by Vendor in 2Q12 (Thousands of Units)

From Gartner report “Market Share: Mobile Devices, Worldwide, 2Q12

“Do not renew an attack along the same line (or in the same form) after it has once failed.”

If the first plan or trial fails, do not start again on that same spot.

The competitors will have an idea on your next move, they can prepare and strengthen their force on that area

Reserve your next best unexpected option in another style

Sourceswww.dictionary.comhttp://www.smallbizu.org/es/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/article/ah20031016ahttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/18/us-samsung-idUSBRE84H00X20120518?irpc=932http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/14/mobile-phone-q2-2012-market-share-sales/