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In both warfare and business, strategy is everything. Some of history’s greatest military minds – Sun Tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and Napoleon- crafted strategies that not only won battles but also shaped the course of nations. Today, their principles continue to influence boardrooms and business leaders around the world. This list dives into powerful reads that draw on timeless military strategies to unlock business success, sharpen competitive edge, and inspire bold leadership. Whether you’re navigating corporate challenges or leading a startup, these books offer a battlefield-tested playbook for winning in any arena.
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Business Warfare outlines Amaral’s robust business framework grounded in the teachings of four prominent military strategists: Carl von Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Ferdinand Foch, and Niccolò Machiavelli. Part one guides readers through Clausewitz and the concept of the ‘total phenomenon’, demonstrating the essential need for a broader view of competition in a digital age. Amaral introduces Clausewitz's Trinity to break down influential, interconnected stakeholders helping readers to analyse the ‘centres of gravity’ in any given situation alongside both opportunities and vulnerabilities. To supplement this, part two applies a variety of Sun Tzu’s teachings to business strategy, emphasising situational awareness and tactical agility, incorporating Foch's Economy of Forces to evaluate the suitability of each tactic. The final part discusses the next steps after victory. Amaral introduces concepts from Machiavelli, in particular the concept of Virtù, articulating how these principles can be combined with revenue models to create Value Capturing Chords that resonate with specific target audiences, increasing customer value, profitability and loyalty in a crowded marketplace.
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THE ART OF STRATEGY provides timeless answers to these eternal questions. It is a short introduction to strategy through the insights of three successful strategists: Sun Tzu, John Boyd and Simon Wardley. It is a modern reading of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War — the strategy classic written in China around 500 BC — using the lenses of Boyd (OODA "loop" inventor) and Wardley (Wardley Map inventor) who were both influenced by Sun Tzu. Each chapter gently transforms The Art of War into a modern business setting and includes material from Boyd and Wardley in separate sections to complement and clarify Sun Tzu’s terse, poetic text. The idea is to serve strategy in 13 short chapters requiring 5–10 minutes reading time each. An extensive glossary is included since many Chinese concepts are purposefully abstract and ambiguous.
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The Unseen Leader delivers one simple but immensely powerful point: we need to radically rethink how we discuss leadership. In this book, American historian Martin Gutmann passionately challenges the received wisdom that history's great leaders were individuals with a proclivity for action and brash words. Drawing on extensive historical scholarship and contemporary leadership theory, Gutmann delves into the journeys of four unknown or misunderstood leaders who achieved remarkable successes in vastly different environments—the Polar North, the deserts of Arabia, the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, and Second World War London. What emerges is an entirely new narrative on leadership. Contrary to the perception of heroic protagonists forging ahead boldly, history's truly great leaders were often precisely those who didn't need to generate excessive noise or activity. Instead, they skillfully minimized dramatic circumstances. Their stories challenge our present-day conception of leadership and can inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
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When it comes to war, the first thoughts are military actions and their strategy. But the war is also a test for the economy, state bodies, culture, and social relations. And this book is exactly about that. The book is a collection of tools and ideas by Kostiantyn Koshelenko, currently Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, on maintaining productivity, team development, and commitment to one's values in an environment where chaos is becoming the new norm. In addition to the author, 40 Ukrainian and international managers from 12 countries share their experiences and lessons learned during crises
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"The Warfare of Business" is the ultimate guide for achieving success in any industry by applying the tactics and strategies of military warfare to the business world. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of 15 essential rules for success. From building a professional network, to taking initiative and being prepared for the unexpected, the book is packed with actionable advice and real-world scenarios that will help you rise to the top of your field. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, "The Warfare of Business" is a must-read for anyone looking to gain a competitive edge in the business world. The book is not only informative but also provides a unique perspective on how to protect your business from potential threats and be proactive in identifying and addressing potential problems or opportunities. The book is written in an easy to understand style, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
1
Business Warfare outlines Amaral’s robust business framework grounded in the teachings of four prominent military strategists: Carl von Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, Ferdinand Foch, and Niccolò Machiavelli. Part one guides readers through Clausewitz and the concept of the ‘total phenomenon’, demonstrating the essential need for a broader view of competition in a digital age. Amaral introduces Clausewitz's Trinity to break down influential, interconnected stakeholders helping readers to analyse the ‘centres of gravity’ in any given situation alongside both opportunities and vulnerabilities. To supplement this, part two applies a variety of Sun Tzu’s teachings to business strategy, emphasising situational awareness and tactical agility, incorporating Foch's Economy of Forces to evaluate the suitability of each tactic. The final part discusses the next steps after victory. Amaral introduces concepts from Machiavelli, in particular the concept of Virtù, articulating how these principles can be combined with revenue models to create Value Capturing Chords that resonate with specific target audiences, increasing customer value, profitability and loyalty in a crowded marketplace.
2
THE ART OF STRATEGY provides timeless answers to these eternal questions. It is a short introduction to strategy through the insights of three successful strategists: Sun Tzu, John Boyd and Simon Wardley. It is a modern reading of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War — the strategy classic written in China around 500 BC — using the lenses of Boyd (OODA "loop" inventor) and Wardley (Wardley Map inventor) who were both influenced by Sun Tzu. Each chapter gently transforms The Art of War into a modern business setting and includes material from Boyd and Wardley in separate sections to complement and clarify Sun Tzu’s terse, poetic text. The idea is to serve strategy in 13 short chapters requiring 5–10 minutes reading time each. An extensive glossary is included since many Chinese concepts are purposefully abstract and ambiguous.
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The Unseen Leader delivers one simple but immensely powerful point: we need to radically rethink how we discuss leadership. In this book, American historian Martin Gutmann passionately challenges the received wisdom that history's great leaders were individuals with a proclivity for action and brash words. Drawing on extensive historical scholarship and contemporary leadership theory, Gutmann delves into the journeys of four unknown or misunderstood leaders who achieved remarkable successes in vastly different environments—the Polar North, the deserts of Arabia, the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, and Second World War London. What emerges is an entirely new narrative on leadership. Contrary to the perception of heroic protagonists forging ahead boldly, history's truly great leaders were often precisely those who didn't need to generate excessive noise or activity. Instead, they skillfully minimized dramatic circumstances. Their stories challenge our present-day conception of leadership and can inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
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When it comes to war, the first thoughts are military actions and their strategy. But the war is also a test for the economy, state bodies, culture, and social relations. And this book is exactly about that. The book is a collection of tools and ideas by Kostiantyn Koshelenko, currently Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, on maintaining productivity, team development, and commitment to one's values in an environment where chaos is becoming the new norm. In addition to the author, 40 Ukrainian and international managers from 12 countries share their experiences and lessons learned during crises
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"The Warfare of Business" is the ultimate guide for achieving success in any industry by applying the tactics and strategies of military warfare to the business world. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of 15 essential rules for success. From building a professional network, to taking initiative and being prepared for the unexpected, the book is packed with actionable advice and real-world scenarios that will help you rise to the top of your field. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, "The Warfare of Business" is a must-read for anyone looking to gain a competitive edge in the business world. The book is not only informative but also provides a unique perspective on how to protect your business from potential threats and be proactive in identifying and addressing potential problems or opportunities. The book is written in an easy to understand style, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
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