Comments on: Is war a good metaphor for business? http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/ Entrepeneurship + Rapid-Growth, Local and Small Business Marketing Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:48:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Art Of War http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-6859 The Art Of War Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:06:00 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-6859 I think there's definitely some correlation, but when you look at Sun tzu's art of war, as well as other bingfa's - the picture that you come up with is that the highest level strategy is syndication - or working together, and I think that's definitely the case in business, as well! I think there’s definitely some correlation, but when you look at Sun tzu’s art of war, as well as other bingfa’s – the picture that you come up with is that the highest level strategy is syndication – or working together, and I think that’s definitely the case in business, as well!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1033 Anonymous Tue, 30 Aug 2005 21:08:11 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1033 <p>The wars in business may be bloodless but it’s no less fierce than what is being fought on today’s battlefield.  Our troops our fighting an Asymmetric War - Asymmetric warfare includes “threats outside the range of conventional warfare and difficult to respond to in kind (e.g., a suicide bomber)”.  The business world is just as unpredictable and difficult because of globalization, advancing technology, easier access to credit etc… New competitors enter the market every day fighting for your customer.  It does not matter whether you are trying to expand your company or protect your customer base, like our military counter parts, we must realize “we in business are at war” and better have a strategy!</p> <p>Randy Zales (former Captain, USA)<br /> President<br /> Anthony Robbins & Associates <br /> <a href="http://www.AnthonyRobbinsDC.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.AnthonyRobbinsDC.com</a><br />——- </p> The wars in business may be bloodless but it’s no less fierce than what is being fought on today’s battlefield.  Our troops our fighting an Asymmetric War – Asymmetric warfare includes “threats outside the range of conventional warfare and difficult to respond to in kind (e.g., a suicide bomber)”.  The business world is just as unpredictable and difficult because of globalization, advancing technology, easier access to credit etc… New competitors enter the market every day fighting for your customer.  It does not matter whether you are trying to expand your company or protect your customer base, like our military counter parts, we must realize “we in business are at war” and better have a strategy!

Randy Zales (former Captain, USA)
President
Anthony Robbins & Associates
http://www.AnthonyRobbinsDC.com
——-

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-5958 Anonymous Tue, 30 Aug 2005 21:08:00 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-5958 The wars in business may be bloodless but it’s no less fierce than what is being fought on today’s battlefield.  Our troops our fighting an Asymmetric War - Asymmetric warfare includes “threats outside the range of conventional warfare and difficult to respond to in kind (e.g., a suicide bomber)”.  The business world is just as unpredictable and difficult because of globalization, advancing technology, easier access to credit etc… New competitors enter the market every day fighting for your customer.  It does not matter whether you are trying to expand your company or protect your customer base, like our military counter parts, we must realize “we in business are at war” and better have a strategy! Randy Zales (former Captain, USA) President Anthony Robbins & Associates <a href="http://www.AnthonyRobbinsDC.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.AnthonyRobbinsDC.com</a>——- The wars in business may be bloodless but it’s no less fierce than what is being fought on today’s battlefield.  Our troops our fighting an Asymmetric War – Asymmetric warfare includes “threats outside the range of conventional warfare and difficult to respond to in kind (e.g., a suicide bomber)”.  The business world is just as unpredictable and difficult because of globalization, advancing technology, easier access to credit etc… New competitors enter the market every day fighting for your customer.  It does not matter whether you are trying to expand your company or protect your customer base, like our military counter parts, we must realize “we in business are at war” and better have a strategy!
Randy Zales (former Captain, USA)
President
Anthony Robbins & Associates
http://www.AnthonyRobbinsDC.com——-

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1032 Anonymous Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:08:38 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1032 <p>Anyone who thinks that war aptly correlates to businss has not participated in a war.  By comparison, business is just a game.  <br /> Michael D. Woods, CPA<br /> Major, USMC retired </p> Anyone who thinks that war aptly correlates to businss has not participated in a war.  By comparison, business is just a game. 
Michael D. Woods, CPA
Major, USMC retired

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-5957 Anonymous Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:08:00 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-5957 Anyone who thinks that war aptly correlates to businss has not participated in a war.  By comparison, business is just a game.  Michael D. Woods, CPA Major, USMC retired Anyone who thinks that war aptly correlates to businss has not participated in a war.  By comparison, business is just a game. 
Michael D. Woods, CPA
Major, USMC retired

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1031 Anonymous Fri, 02 Jul 2004 06:07:10 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1031 <p>Totally agree, business is a contest.  You always have to think about the competitor.  <br /> Read Sun Tzu and you find so much of what he says of value.  To us it is like a huge <br /> competition on the field.  Good thing to know your play and how to run it! </p> Totally agree, business is a contest.  You always have to think about the competitor. 
Read Sun Tzu and you find so much of what he says of value.  To us it is like a huge
competition on the field.  Good thing to know your play and how to run it!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-5956 Anonymous Fri, 02 Jul 2004 06:07:00 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-5956 Totally agree, business is a contest.  You always have to think about the competitor.  Read Sun Tzu and you find so much of what he says of value.  To us it is like a huge competition on the field.  Good thing to know your play and how to run it! Totally agree, business is a contest.  You always have to think about the competitor. 
Read Sun Tzu and you find so much of what he says of value.  To us it is like a huge
competition on the field.  Good thing to know your play and how to run it!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1030 Anonymous Thu, 01 Jul 2004 01:06:39 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1030 <p>What goes on in an MBA class has little to do with the realities of entrepreneurship. The equivelent of alliances, standards bodies, and negotiation are all present in war. Furthermore, war is not about beating the crap out of anyone. It’s about accomplishing a strategic objective, and sometimes beating the crap out of the other guy is a part of it. It is not perfect. Yet, I’ve yet to find a metaphor for business nearly as complete. </p> <p>As for cliches, metaphor is one of the best learning tools available to us. And translating from one context to another is a master skill of entrepreneurship. I’m open to more or better, though. </p> <p>Thanks for the comment.</p> <p>Michael </p> What goes on in an MBA class has little to do with the realities of entrepreneurship. The equivelent of alliances, standards bodies, and negotiation are all present in war. Furthermore, war is not about beating the crap out of anyone. It’s about accomplishing a strategic objective, and sometimes beating the crap out of the other guy is a part of it. It is not perfect. Yet, I’ve yet to find a metaphor for business nearly as complete.

As for cliches, metaphor is one of the best learning tools available to us. And translating from one context to another is a master skill of entrepreneurship. I’m open to more or better, though.

Thanks for the comment.

Michael

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-5955 Anonymous Thu, 01 Jul 2004 01:06:00 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-5955 What goes on in an MBA class has little to do with the realities of entrepreneurship. The equivelent of alliances, standards bodies, and negotiation are all present in war. Furthermore, war is not about beating the crap out of anyone. It’s about accomplishing a strategic objective, and sometimes beating the crap out of the other guy is a part of it. It is not perfect. Yet, I’ve yet to find a metaphor for business nearly as complete. As for cliches, metaphor is one of the best learning tools available to us. And translating from one context to another is a master skill of entrepreneurship. I’m open to more or better, though. Thanks for the comment. Michael What goes on in an MBA class has little to do with the realities of entrepreneurship. The equivelent of alliances, standards bodies, and negotiation are all present in war. Furthermore, war is not about beating the crap out of anyone. It’s about accomplishing a strategic objective, and sometimes beating the crap out of the other guy is a part of it. It is not perfect. Yet, I’ve yet to find a metaphor for business nearly as complete.
As for cliches, metaphor is one of the best learning tools available to us. And translating from one context to another is a master skill of entrepreneurship. I’m open to more or better, though.
Thanks for the comment.
Michael

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1029 Anonymous Wed, 30 Jun 2004 22:06:27 +0000 http://www.entrepreneurslife.com/thoughts/entry/is-war-a-good-metaphor-for-business/#comment-1029 <p>Funny, this topic was brought up by a female student in an MBA class I was taking. She said she was getting sick of all these macho war and sports analogies to modern business. Not all business is about beating the crap outta the other guy. What of alliances, standards bodies, and (as you mentioned) negotiation? Even Henry V married France in the end.</p> <p>Not to say business isn’t feral - it is - but maybe we need less cliches. </p> Funny, this topic was brought up by a female student in an MBA class I was taking. She said she was getting sick of all these macho war and sports analogies to modern business. Not all business is about beating the crap outta the other guy. What of alliances, standards bodies, and (as you mentioned) negotiation? Even Henry V married France in the end.

Not to say business isn’t feral – it is – but maybe we need less cliches.

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