this book at a glance
1 Business is like a constant state of warfare in which you sleep with the enemy every day. Your assets include business friends and others whose self-interest is identical to yours. 'As assets, your permanent and temporary allies, friends and friendly enemies must be plotted for, sculpted, moulded and sent off to do no particular end in sight,' writes Stanley Bing.
2 Accept no substitutes for aggression, Bing writes. In particular, believe that all you need in life is raw, amoral, naked aggression and the overpowering will to win all the time. 'Once you have that you can add other attributes that will not only aid you in war, they will create war,' he says.
3 Resist the temptation to lie low. In the author's opinion, excessive strategic skulking or waiting only strengthen one's sissy spirit and penchant for inaction. Although taking one's time has its advantages, all great warriors need the ability to make something happen.
4 Understand strengths and weaknesses, as well as what makes your enemy look ridiculous. By failing to evaluate an adversary, you run the risk of suffering unexpected losses. 'What makes sense, in the end, is to find your enemy ridiculous and eminently beatable, while at the same time secretly taking care to assess the reality of the situation,' Bing writes.
5 Remember that you are the most important person in wartime, especially when positioning yourself for the battle ahead. In the context of business, if others have to 'die' so you can live, accept it. Even so, stay away from the worst of the fighting if you can.
