Perhaps the greatest weakness found in marketing organizations today is the lack of strategic insight. The ability to develop and execute effective strategy in the face of mounting competitive pressure is a requisite enterprise competency.

Robert Cantrell at the Center for Competitive Advantage has developed a unique methodology for applying the theory of Sun Tzu. Consisting of a book and a deck of cards Robert’s methodology is an elegant catalyst for generating strategic alternatives. This is what they have to say about the card deck:

The core value of the Art of War Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck is in the content.  It is absolutely the most concise summary of competitive strategy available on the market.  It summarizes, in approximately 1600 words, information about all aspects of conflict strategy that other authors, in traditional books, easily use over 100,000 words to describe.

The most common way buyers use this product is as a tool to think through options.  In that role, it serves as a sort of ‘strategy playbook.’  And just like the plays of a football game, the drive to the goal line may involve a series of strategy plays, one setting up the other until you succeed.

The cards are compact, easy to fit into a packet or briefcase, and can be reviewed in their entirety prior to any critical engagement – to to include those points in travel when you have to turn off all electronic equipment.  Provided you and other parties each have their own copies, the cards also provide a common strategic language.

Trainers will find the the Art of War Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck useful as a tool to teach all aspects of competitive strategy.  This training is backed up by a book, Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War, that has already found a place in the top US military leadership schools.  (The study guide page shows the linkages between the cards and the book.)  Also, the game Art of War Assertion brings many valuable aspects of strategy to the training environment that cover all functional and psychological aspects of competition.

Trainers that run war games will particularly enjoy the cards for the randomness card format presents.  Need your adversary to do something unexpected?  Pull a card and deal with it.   

We are in the process of developing some joint offerings with Robert and his group. You can visit their site here for more information and to purchase the book and card deck.

Subscribe ARMORY | Book MOBILIZATION | Engage CAMPAIGN | Register SEMINAR