Sun Tzu....

So everybody has had a shot at "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu (500 B.C.) as an interesting source for strategic planning.  If not, you ought to give it a go; easy read, short, contemplatively provoking.  Ranks right up there with Machiavelli...


But here's the synopsis if you're short on time:

1. The Enlightened Deliberate
2. Pursue The Indirect Approach
3. Do The Unexpected
4. Strike Where He Has Taken No Precaution
5. Numbers Alone Confer No Advantage
6. Pretend Inferiority, Encourage His Arrogance

Couple of thoughts:

• Numbers 1-5 are brilliant explanations of why and how you should plan strategically and why you should never - never! - admit your true plan, nor what your strategic intentions actually might be.
• Who benefits most from knowing your plan of attack?  Duh, right - your adversaries! Why would you seek to give aid and comfort to your enemies?  Publish the "standard lie" if you must  (see #2). "You Know Who" will believe it, as long as it "conforms" to "their standards" (see #3).
• If the above makes no sense, spend some time alone in quiet meditation or with a strong intoxicant - or perhaps both (see #1).
• Number 6 should reassure all CU adherents that destiny is on your side.  Your opponent is so outrageously arrogant that you do not even need to feign inferiority...

Game, set, match....

 Sun Tz-oink!