The Art o War - Looking out for the Small People

The Importance of the Lower Rankin Personnel
"In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be need in order to secure victory." CHAPTER 5-ENERGY. Verse 5
Never underestimate the importance of the lower ranking staff. They, for instance the clerical staff can let you know when the boss is free or even in a good mood. Most people forget that the secretaries or clerks are an important connection to the bosses. When I go around to meet bosses, I also say hello to their clerical staff. If I'm bringing a gift for the boss, I will try to bring a smaller one for his secretary. In this way when I need information on where her boss is, she can furnish me with that. This is also good if the person is really busy, you can find out where he goes for lunch and just "happen" to bump into him. One must also remember that most offices especially the government ones change bosses often but the secretary remains. So if you are close with her, she will put in good word for you with her new boss. This is what Sun Tzu calls "direct" and "indirect" warfare. The direct is with the boss. The indirect is the clerical staff.

The Importance of Well Rested Staff
Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted. CHAPTER VI. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG. Verse 1
In any industry a well rested staff is good for productivity. Employees will be more focused in their jobs. In the hospitality industry that I am attached to, this saying is very important. Reason being is that if the staff is tired and worn out, they won't give their best to the customer. Tired people normally get irritated very fast. So if your staff is easily irritated, then a slightest can make them blow up. This staff is a walking time bomb as when a guest just says some thing wrong, they might lash out at the guest rudely. What I normally do is make here my staff is well rested before the busy season. Give your staff break before the busy period, so as they come to work refreshed.

Importance of Having a Proper Management Strategy

The art of war is of vital importance to the State. Verse 1 Chapter 1 In Verse 1 Chapter 1 of the Art of War,Sun Tzu says the importance of the Art of War manual. Some might see this as a sales technique to have people read his works but I see it as Sun Tzu saying that we should have a set ways or methods to use in our daily life. As for me apart from me, apart from using the Art of War, I also use the methods of the One Minute Manager. Then he goes to say It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. Verse 2 Chapter 1 What I get from this is that if we don't have a specific management style or procedure, we will manage at the spur of the moment and our plans will be changed without thinking or planning ahead. Most management skills are by trial and error but if you have a system like the art of war, you can have foresight on what's coming. Believe me the Art of War saved me from making some wring decisions. By following the Art of WarI have avoided battles with bosses and other departments that I might not have won or is a waste of time.The art of war is of vital importance to the State. Verse 1 Chapter 1
In Verse 1 Chapter 1 of the Art of War,Sun Tzu says the importance of the Art of War manual. Some might see this as a sales technique to have people read his works but I see it as Sun Tzu saying that we should have a set ways or methods to use in our daily life. As for me apart from me, apart from using the Art of War, I also use the methods of the One Minute Manager. Then he goes to say
It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.Verse 2 Chapter 1
What I get from this is that if we don't have a specific management style or procedure, we will manage at the spur of the moment and our plans will be changed without thinking or planning ahead. Most management skills are by trial and error but if you have a system like the art of war, you can have foresight on what's coming. Believe me the Art of War saved me from making some wring decisions. By following the Art of WarI have avoided battles with bosses and other departments that I might not have won or is a waste of time.

SunTzu - Getting Even with Out Fighting

CHAPTER 1 : Verse 20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. Verse 21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. Verse 22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. Verse 23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Verse 24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. Verse 25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand. I used to get very angry when somebody highlighted about something in my department. Used to always find ways to hit back at that person. Then the fight got bigger with both sides trying to find each other faults. After that there were bad vibes between departments. Nowdays I follow the above quote. I just hold my tongue, solve the issue and improve my department. Most of the time the person who is finding fault starts becoming arogant and thinks he is without fault. He continues to look for my mistakes but doesn't take care of his side.
Problems will slowly pile up. When it gets too big and gets exposed, then I will move in. Using the Sun Tzu's quote below. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you. CHAPTER 11. THE NINE SITUATIONS verse 68

Some More Ways How the Art of War can help you

Rallying your Team for a Common Cause
"Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan, I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other's assistance just as the left hand helps the right." Chapter 11. THE NINE SITUATIONS Verse 30
 I use this normally to rally my staff together. There was a few new hotels coming up in our area. I constantly brief my team, saying that while it looks like they are a threat to our business. It is also a blessing in disguise. That if we provide good service and good food now, we will build a good reputation. They might try to stay there cause its new but they will come to our restaurants cause our service and food is good. This will then rally my team to work hard to build our reputation, therefore improve our business. There their incentives will also increase.

No Turning Back, Never Give Up
" At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladde behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand" Chapter 11: THE NINE SITUATIONS Verse 38 Another Quote for this is "Burn your bridge behind you" I use this normally when I move to a new job or take on a new position. I always say to myself that there's no turning back. I have go on no matter what. Recently i assumed a higher position in my workplace. The job was going to be very challenging as the company was not making much money in the past. The person before me (my former boss) didn't do enough to bring in any business. My challenge if I accepted this position was to bring in business. Well I wrote my goals for one year and didn't look back. This time the soldiers was not my employee but my mind. I set my mind that there was no turning back. What follows this verse is " He burns his boats and breaks his cooking pots, like a shepherd drving a flock of sheep, he drives his man this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going." Chapter 11. THE NINE SITUATIONS. Verse 39

The Use of Art of War in your Daily Works

Alt of people might think, what has a book with only 13 chapters and was written thousands of years before be helpful in our daily works. Well like all motivational and self help books, you need to see the big picture. Below are some examples of how the Art of War have helped me in my daily life.

Controllling Anger
Verse 12."There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general. One of it is a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults. This means holding your anger." Chapter 8: VARIATION IN TACTICS. I always had a quick tongue and an even quicker anger. I used to say what I feel and do things without much thought. That is the why I was most of the time passed over for promotions. Even though I knew the job very well. Now I'm more controlled now.
Another quote from Sun Tzu goes like this. 5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege. Chapter 3. ATTACK BY STRATAGEM

Never Underestimate your competition
Verse 11. The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. Chapter 8: VARIATION IN TACTICS
This means never underestimate, always be prepared. We used to be the biggest hotel with the biggest convention room. So naturally we got the bulk of the business in our area. Now there's a new building coming up near us, same amount of rooms and an even larger convention hall. Luckily I followed this Sun Tzu's strategy. Before any news of this hotel coming up, we built our business with the local community. So we might lose some business to them, we will win back our guest if we continue to be friendly and give them an even better product than the new hotel.

Leading by Example
Verse 8  "At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand. "  Chapter 11. THE NINE SITUATIONS.
Few days ago, I was watching Battles BC on the History Channel. This time they were showing Caesar's battle with the Gauls. Towards the end of the battle, it looked like Rome was going to lose the campaign. They were attacked from both sides. Then Caesar put on his red cloak and when into battle with reinforcements. Seeing their comander fighting alongside with them with his distinguished red cloak, the Roman army had renewed strength and fought hard. They managed to win the battle. This concept can be used in today's management system. When your area is busy or staff have difficult situation, the staff will be happy to see their manager working alongside them. Not standing around giving orders. I have found that this motivates them to give their best. It also helps when you need to reprimand them for a mistake they have done. The employee will know that you want only for them to improve their performance.
Verse 25 "Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death." Chapter 10. TERRAIN

Some of the ways I adept the Art of War in my life

Since upgrading myself to Managerial positions, I'm always on the lookout for books that help me improve myself. Books that guide me on how to manage people, work and even life. One great book which I still read and use its methods is The One Minute Manager. Its one of the reading material that I recommend to any of my employee that is going to be a manager. When I was working for a hotel chain, they used the Sun Tzu's Art of War in their managerial skills. Did some research on the Art of War to improve my leadership skills. And I have been using it in my life and work till now. Here are some ways in which I use the art of war. I will add some as I go along. Hope my interpretation of this ancient methods will help others in managing life and work.

The Legend of the Art of War

Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War

The legend goes that Sun Tzu was born into minor nobility in what is now Shandong, a part of China north of Shanghai. He wrote a military treatise in order to get noticed and hired by royalty. He wrote a 13 chapter called The Art of War. The Art of War is a philosophy of war for managing conflicts and winning battles. The book is not only popular among military theorists, but it has also become increasingly popular among political leaders and those in business management. Despite its title, The Art of War, The Art of War teaches you to win without fighting.

The use of Art of War in Planning
Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat  (Chapter 1 : Verse 26 LAYING PLANS) This means planning. Every morning when the sun is rising I will stand facing the sun, just feeling its warmth. While doing this I will plan out the day. Visualize how its going to be. I also allow my junior managers some time in the office before they go into operations, to plan and get themselves ready. I also ask them what's their plan for the day.

A Helpful App - Pocket Budget App

Some of the self help books that I like to read are books on achieving financial freedom. I like to read and reread books like Richard Clason's " Richest Man in Babylon" and books by Robert Kiyosaki. These are not get rich quick books, but books that teach us how to comtrol expenditure thus obtaining financial freedom. Most of the books teaches that in order to be financial free we need to track our expenses daily. I have been doing that for the past few years. I was shocked when I found out that I was spending unnessarily on things that I could have gotten. You can read one such example here Book Review- Richest Man in Babylon. I normaly use an excel worksheet which I put into my smartphone and keyin my expenditures. But using excel has some limitations. You need to export at the end of each month which can be some work. I came across Pocket Budget from an article in the Star newspaper. Downloaded this app and love it. Pocket Budget is an easy way to manage your finances by tracking of your expenses and incomes. After installing Pocket Budget, you need to put your income either in salary or gift categories. When you have an expense just click on the expense button. Put it in what category. If you want to add some pre set categories, just click add category. Add a description if you want and save. The app automatically calculate your balance. By doing this you know what you have to use until your next salary. This app even generates reports that you can easily view at the end of the month to see where your money went. You can download this app at Google Store just type Pocket Budget.

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Learning from Tony Fernandez by Apprentice Asia

Well this post is not a single inspirational person but an example on the importance of palnning in everything we do. I feel everyone has heard this mantra at a point of their life. The mantra goes like this "If you want to succeed in life, you need to do something you are passionate about". Mine is the Food and Beverage. So much so that my other half says that she is the second wife, my job is my first wife. Thats true. I can't stop working. When I am eating out, I always observe what the wait staff do, how food is presented and so on. Even when we stay in hotels, I like to wake up early and walk around the hotel. My wife always say when we are on holiday why can't I leave my work at home. Even the shows I like to watch are related to the Food and Beverage field. Nowadays after assuming a management position my playlist have increased. I like shows that are related to the management and also marketing field. One such show is the Apprentice reality show with Donald Trump. I not only like to see how they market or complete their projects. You can also get some management and leadership lesson from these type of shows especially from the boss Donald Trump.
Recently AXN started a new Apprentice Series based in Asia. Its on every wednesday and is called of course "Apprentice Asia". The boss here will be Tony Fernandez. Tony Fernandez is really an inspirational guy. From being in the music industry he bought a failing airline for only RM1 (with a heavy debt attached to it and turn it into one of the best low cost airlines. You can read something about him here My Heroes- People who have inspired me. Well lets go back with the opening episode of Apprentice Asia. The teams were divided by gender, each team was given the task of selling fish at a market. The team with the highest profit margin wins the challenge. Should be a simple task for a bunch of professionals but they failed misserable. The ladies team lost about RM100 and the men's team lost RM600.
We will review why the men lost. The main word was STRATEGY. They didn't sit down and plan their strategy. When they arrive at the market they quickly set up stall. They didn't do a market survey, therefore they didn't know whether they were selling higher or lower. They let the buyers who is very savvy with fish prices dictate the price. They didn't do a price list based on a profit margin, therefore they sold at a lower price. One of the participants started calling customers eventhough they were not ready. Even Sun Tzu has something to say about planning, its from the first chapter called "Laying Plans".26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
From this show, you will see the importance of planning especially when doing a menu. Even the simplest task like selling fish needs to carefully planned. In a previous post I have elaborated the steps in creating your menu.



Tony DiCorpo is a coffee roaster, barista trainer and coffee business consultant. He has authored many articles on coffee and the coffee business. Tony has extensive experience in business and collectively more than 20 years experience in sales, business management, entrepreneurship and the coffee business. The website to go to get his business plan is www.tonys-coffee-shop-business-plan.com