36 Strategies

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Strategy 29 - Deck the Tree With Flowers (树上开花) shu shang kai hua

借局布势，力小势大。
鸿渐于陆，其羽可用为仪也。

解释:

- 借局布势，力小势大 = borrow to dress up one's image/ settings; one might be on e weak side, one's battle can appear strong;

- 鸿渐于陆，其羽可用为仪也 = e flock of wild geese flying across e sky appears to be invincible because of their thick feathered wings.

Examples:

1. Enhancing e product packaging to rejunvinate the brand;

2. Bundling & repackaging services;

3. Private residential properties: use of bold, creative marketing strategies, esp. during recession times.

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Strategy 30 - The Guest Takes Over as Host (反客为主) fan ke wei zhu

乘隙插足，扼其主机，渐之进也。

解释:

- 乘隙插足，扼其主机，渐之进也 = try to put in one's foot when there's a crack & control e enemy's vitals (掌握要害关节之处).

Examples:

1. Foot-in-the-door approach/ strategy to invite a new shareholder (who could be of another company) as a means to increase its financial strength & influence. When e new shareholder holds a substantial # of shares, he's given one or more board seats. Over time, he garners more shares, & mount a complete takeover of e Co.;

2. Profit-sharing & stock-ownership schemes for workers. As such, workers will take an active role & interest in e welfare & progress of e Co..

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>>> stay tuned for e last few chapters, Desperate Strategies #31-36:

Strategy 31 - Beauty Scheme (美人计) mei ren ji

兵强者， 攻其将；
兵智者，伐其情。
将弱兵颓，其势自萎。
利用御寇，顺相保也。

解释:

- 兵强者， 攻其将 = when facing e strong enemy, one shld aim to control e general (对兵力强大的敌人，就攻击他的将帅);
- 兵智者，伐其情 = when facing e intelligent enemy, one shld plot to dampen e morale (对明智的敌人，就打击他的情绪);
- 将弱兵颓，其势自萎 = once e general's fighting spirit is lowered, e army is weakened;
- 利用御寇，顺相保也 = one shld attack e enemy at its weakness, & conserve one's energy.

Examples:

1. Good looks r an asset for competitive advantages for e Co., celebrity endorsement for publicity mileage.

NB: e chinese saying: it's difficult for a hero to overcome a young maiden's trap (英雄难过美人关).

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Strategy 32 - Empty City Scheme (空城计) kong cheng ji

虚者虚之，疑中生疑；
刚柔之际，奇而复奇。

解释:

- 虚者虚之，疑中生疑 = display its weakness to confuse e enemy, make him abandon e attack as he perceived it can be a trickery/ suspicion (空虚的就让它空虚，使疑惑中更加产生疑惑);

- 刚柔之际，奇而复奇 = in situation when enemy is strong, & one's army is weak, this strategy when applied will appear extraordinary.

Examples:

1. A high-risk strategy;

2. Putting up a brave front;

3. Use of Bogus Companies/ Scam, etc.

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Strategy 33 - Double Agent Ploy (反间计) fan jian ji

疑中之疑。
比之自内，不自失也。

解释:

- 疑中之疑 = when e enemy lays traps, one will set up more traps within his traps to create internal chaos (在疑阵中再布疑阵);

- 比之自内，不自失也 = when one has assistance from its spy, one will not lose e battle.

Examples:

1. Use enemy's spy against him to create discord and confusion;

2. Commercial espionage;

3. Research Companies, Agencies to gain access to restrictive data.

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Strategy 34 - Self-inflicted Injury Scheme (苦肉计) ku rou ji

人不自害，受害必真；假真真假，间以得行。
童蒙之吉，顺以巽也。

解释:

- 人不自害，受害必真 = Under normal circumstances, a person would not intentionally harm himself(正常情况下). Thus, if someone is hurt, others would believe that he has been injured by another (as e victim);

- 假真真假，间以得行 = Pretending to be e victim will gain e enemy's trust & sow discord among enemy members;

- 童蒙之吉，顺以巽也 = Similiar to playing w an innocent child, as long as you act according to his wishes, you'll be able to trick him.

Examples:

1. Price cuts & sales promotion;

2. To overcome short-term difficulties;

3. Cutting losses & gaining market share quickly.

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Strategy 35 - Interconnected Ploy (连环计) lian huan ji

将多兵众，不可以敌，
使其自累，以杀其势。
在师中吉，承天宠也。

解释:

- 将多兵众，不可以敌 = if e enemy has a strong army, a head-on confrontation is not advisable;

- 使其自累，以杀其势 = one shld utilise a few connected strategies to decrease e enemy's power;

- 在师中吉，承天宠也 = w good leadership & careful planning, it's easy to win e battle as if heaven is on one's side.

Examples:

1. Corporate strategies that r combined w many other strategies within e Co., e.g. sound financial plan, e marketing plan, R&D plan, production plan, HR plan, etc. Each of these is affected by environmental constraints, political, economic, social & opportunities. The Co. must thoroughly analyse e market & consumer trends, while not ignoring competitive forces. Using a varied strategies allows a Co. to exercise greater flexibility to out-pace (manoeuvre) its competitors;

2. Multiple strategies in business to gain market share;

3. Innovate & create advantages via strategic alliance.

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Strategy 36 - The Escape (Best Scheme) (走为上) zou wei shang

全师避敌。
左次无咎，未失常也。

解释:

- 全师避敌 = in a desperate situation whereby e enemy is obviously strong, a total retreat is e best option (全军退却，避开强敌);

- 左次无咎，未失常也 = there's nothing wrong w a retreat to avoid confrontation w a strong enemy.

NB: this strategy advocates retreating as a means to plan for e next attack.

Examples:

1. Doing business in a severely corrupt environment, e Co. must be prepared to walk away if necessary;

2. Operating in unfamiliar markets, territories;

3. Knowing when to QUIT (be a shrewd investor/ trader).

Ends.

- All paragraphs are adapted from (book ver.) The 36 Strategies of The Chinese - by Wee Chow Hou/ Lan Luh Luh