Choose how to compete before committing

Read conditions, objectives and alliances before choosing a price cut or another feature.

What to compare

Separate resource comparison, the method of reaching an objective and the choice of partners.

1 / 3
Planning: compare before committing
Start with the comparisons made before action, rather than judging a plan only by your strengths.
A question to follow
Which conditions are verified, and which have only been assumed?
2 / 3
Attack by stratagem: objectives and methods
Separate an objective from a direct confrontation before narrowing the options.
A question to follow
Could the objective be reached with less conflict?
3 / 3
The Longzhong plan: direction and conditions
Read the Longzhong plan as a direction dependent on several conditions.
A question to follow
What would need revision if partners or external conditions changed?

Make one page listing compared conditions, alternative methods and triggers for revision.

These military and political texts are not empirical market research. Respect law and others’ rights.

3 readings
Connect learning to understanding and checking
When collecting knowledge stalls, distinguish learning, reflection and checking.
3 readings
Decide what to delegate and how to support it
Read these chapters when delegation keeps turning into more instructions.
3 readings
Review evaluation standards and how to explain them
When an evaluation lacks acceptance, separate judgments about people, procedures and allocation.
3 readings
Choose what to change and what to retain
When initiatives and rules keep growing, read through addition, reduction and sequence.
3 readings
Make decisions while keeping unknowns visible
Consider decisions with incomplete information through known facts, unknowns and postponement.
3 readings
Work on a relationship before conflict escalates
Read when disagreement is turning into judgments about a person or a contest to win.
3 readings
Carry work through to a sustainable finish
Distinguish prolonged work, missing support and gaps in completion.

Sources