The 9 Principles Of Business Combat

1. Selection and Maintenance of the Aim
Carefully identify what it is that you need to achieve and diligently maintain a shared focus on that goal. What do you want the battlefield to look like when you have finished?

2. Simplicity
Develop plans that don't invite disaster and confusion through over complexity. Remember K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid).

3. Economy Of Effort
A good plan will use just the right amount of effort and resources. Don't expend more than necessary to achieve the aim. You never know when the reserve you have kept out of the fight will be needed.

4. Surprise
A plan or action that is easily anticipated will have less impact upon a competitor. The element of surprise will help to get within the enemy's decision making cycle and unbalance them.

5. Offensive Action
Although there is always a time for well-chosen defence, offensive and positive action is the hallmark of a winning Army and is the overall framework within which victory is achieved. Pro-active rather than reactive tactics inflict greater harm upon an enemy.

6. Flexibility
One of the most vital elements of any good military plan is flexibility. If circumstances dictate that change is necessary it should be implemented as quickly and smoothly as possible. Failure or slow response to do so can lead to losing the upper hand and disaster.

7. Security
Careful guarding and dissemination of plans and strategies is important to prevent "giving the game away". Security also pertains to communications and anything else related to maintaining as secure your vital plans, methodologies, technology, source of information and intelligence.

8. Concentration of Force
Bringing your firepower to a devastating focus at the right time is crucial. Inappropriate, uncoordinated and ill-planned use of firepower can not only be un-productive but highly wasteful. Most useful assets work best when concentrated upon an enemy weakness all at once and at the right time. Instead of a hammer, use a sledgehammer if you can?

9. Teamwork and Co-operation
Teamwork and co-operation is the very cornerstone of any successful military operation. The flawless dovetailing of different individuals and units with diverse capabilities to meet a common aim requires a high degree of teamwork and co-operation. This is best characterised by open approaches to planning between different units with common overall values, goals and objectives. Military and corporate teams have much in common!