Finding Opportunity in Chaos
Finding Opportunity in Chaos This morning, as I was reading The Art of War, I came across this quote: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” It made me think about the wild and rapid changes artificial intelligence is bringing to nearly every industry. For small businesses, AI is shaking up the way […]
Focus on What You Can Control
Focus on What You Can Control This morning I read this: “That which depends on me, I can do; that which depends on the enemy cannot be certain.” — Sun Tzu This passage reminds me of the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change […]
Timing is Everything
Timing is Everything “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” Timing can make or break a business. Sun Tzu understood this well—acting too soon wastes resources while waiting too long risks losing your advantage. For small business owners, knowing when to act is one of the hardest but most […]
Meetings That Matter
Meetings That Matter “In the operations of war, where there are in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them a thousand li, the expenditure at home and at the front… will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver […]
Know Yourself, Know Your Competition
Know Yourself, Know Your Competition “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Sun Tzu’s advice isn’t just for generals—it’s a lifeline for small business owners. To build a business that lasts, you need to understand two things: your strengths and weaknesses, and the strategies […]
Winning More by Fighting Less
Winning More by Fighting Less This morning, I was reading The Art of War when I came across this passage: “For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.” It’s the kind of wisdom that stops you […]
Victory Isn’t the Finish Line
Victory Isn’t the Finish Line This morning, as I was reading The Art of War, this passage jumped out at me: “[Tu Hsiang] entered Nan Haio, destroyed three of their camps, and captured much treasure. However, P’an Hung and his followers were still strong and numerous, while Tu Hsiang’s troops, now rich and arrogant, no […]
Work Smarter: Building Your Business Without Starting from Scratch
Work Smarter Building Your Business Without Starting from Scratch This morning, I was reading The Art of War and came across this passage: “The wise general sees to it that his troops feed on the enemy, for one bushel of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent to twenty of his…. in transporting provisions for a distance… […]
Hiring Smart
Hiring Smart Lessons from The Art of War This morning, I was reading the “Waging War” chapter of The Art of War, and one line stood out to me: “Those unable to understand the dangers inherent in employing troops are equally unable to understand the advantageous ways of doing so.” It made me think about […]
Stop Getting Stuck
Stop Getting Stuck How to Keep Your Business Moving Forward This morning, while reading The Art of War, I came across this passage: “Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.” It made me think about how often this happens in small businesses. As owners, […]
Plan Like a Pro: Lessons in Strategy and Leadership for Small Businesses
Plan Like a Pro Strategy and Leadership for Small Business: Lessons from The Art of War This morning, as I was reading The Art of War, I came across this passage: “Li Ching of the Tang proposed ten plans to be used against Hsiao Hsieh, and the entire responsibility of commanding the armies was entrusted […]
When the Unexpected Happens: How to Handle Big Challenges in Your Small Business
When the Unexpected Happens Lessons from The Art of War I’ve been rereading The Art of War by Sun Tzu this year, and this morning, this passage jumped out at me: “When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.” At first, I thought, “That’s a great metaphor for a surprise attack.” […]
