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Main Subject - Sun Zi Art of War - Areas of Strategic Planning and Execution
In the first part of Chapter 1 of Sun Zi Art of War, it was mentioned that going to war is of vital importance to the state, because it can determine whether it survives or not and also whether it will prosper or be destroyed. There is no in between. Since the stakes are high, initial planning and assessment are critical.
So which area should the ruler look at before deciding to go to war? Sun Zi proposed these five main areas and they are broken down into seven sub areas.
We can see from the writings that Sun Zi is a very meticulous person because he broke the five points down to the dimensions that one should look out for. For example, he broke down the terrain into whether it is high or low, near or far, wide plains
So which area should the ruler look at before deciding to go to war? Sun Zi proposed these five main areas and they are broken down into seven sub areas.
We can see from the writings that Sun Zi is a very meticulous person because he broke the five points down to the dimensions that one should look out for. For example, he broke down the terrain into whether it is high or low, near or far, wide plains
According to USFDA, a combination product is one composed of any combination of a drug and device; biological product and device; drug and biological product
or narrow paths, treacherous or accessible or the weather is broke down into cold or hot, night or day and which season it is in.
The 5 areas and 7 sub- areas are:
故经之已五，校之以计，而索其情: 一曰道，二曰天，三曰地，四曰将，五曰法。
1) Political leadership of the Ruler (道)
2) The weather where the battle is taking place (天)
3) The terrain where the battle is taking place （地）
4) Generalship, the person commanding the battle （将）
The 5 areas and 7 sub- areas are:
故经之已五，校之以计，而索其情: 一曰道，二曰天，三曰地，四曰将，五曰法。
1) Political leadership of the Ruler (道)
2) The weather where the battle is taking place (天)
3) The terrain where the battle is taking place （地）
4) Generalship, the person commanding the battle （将）
; or drug, device, and biological product and fixed dose combination would include two or more combinations of drug.
Examples of combination products may in
Examples of combination products may in
5) Army organization structure and systems （法）
7 Sub areas
a) Political Intelligence of a Ruler （主孰有道?)
b) Capability of General (将孰有能?)
c) Advantage of provided by Weather and Terrain (天地孰得?)
d) Effective and Efficient Execution of Orders (法令孰行?)
e) Equipped level and numerical strength of army (兵众孰强？)
f) Training level of army (士卒孰练？)
g) Administration of rewards and punishment (赏罚孰明？)
Relating to business aspect, these are important fac
7 Sub areas
a) Political Intelligence of a Ruler （主孰有道?)
b) Capability of General (将孰有能?)
c) Advantage of provided by Weather and Terrain (天地孰得?)
d) Effective and Efficient Execution of Orders (法令孰行?)
e) Equipped level and numerical strength of army (兵众孰强？)
f) Training level of army (士卒孰练？)
g) Administration of rewards and punishment (赏罚孰明？)
Relating to business aspect, these are important fac
lude drug-coated devices, drugs packaged with delivery devices in medical kits, and drugs and devices packaged separately but intended to be used together.
tors that determine the successful implementation of a company’s strategy. The key here is to relate these factors to business. There should not be much difficulty in relating these factors from military to business.
a) Employer or top management ability to unite the company or department behind a vision or to achieve certain goals.
b) Capability of Manager or Team Leader.
c) Different Aspects of Market like the culture of people, government set rules and regulation.
d) Business Systems like inventory management, delivery system and others.
e) Technology available to staff.
f) Skill set and knowledge level of staff.
g) Administration of rewards and punishment.
1) Unity: Employer or top management ability to un
a) Employer or top management ability to unite the company or department behind a vision or to achieve certain goals.
b) Capability of Manager or Team Leader.
c) Different Aspects of Market like the culture of people, government set rules and regulation.
d) Business Systems like inventory management, delivery system and others.
e) Technology available to staff.
f) Skill set and knowledge level of staff.
g) Administration of rewards and punishment.
1) Unity: Employer or top management ability to un
here is enormous increase in the number of combination products entering the market in the recent years. Combination products have proven advantages but fixe
ite the company or department behind a vision or to achieve certain goals
As the heading says, political leadership in war is equivalent to the ability of the top management of the company to unite behind certain goals and vision.
Easier said than done? Sure but I think there are certain guidelines we can follow, first of all, the idea and purpose of the goals and vision should be made as clear as possible to the whole company. How do you do that? Quite easy, in my opinion, involve the whole company in crafting the goals and painting the vision. For those of you who has seen the Apprentice 3, in the graffiti competition, the leader of Magna Corp, was able to consult some of the kids from the street to provide some
As the heading says, political leadership in war is equivalent to the ability of the top management of the company to unite behind certain goals and vision.
Easier said than done? Sure but I think there are certain guidelines we can follow, first of all, the idea and purpose of the goals and vision should be made as clear as possible to the whole company. How do you do that? Quite easy, in my opinion, involve the whole company in crafting the goals and painting the vision. For those of you who has seen the Apprentice 3, in the graffiti competition, the leader of Magna Corp, was able to consult some of the kids from the street to provide some
d dose combinations are still in the process of convincing regulatory authority on their advantages over the single ingredient formulations.
Combination pro
Combination pro
input to the graffiti that they were painting. In the end, because the focus group that determines the winner was able to identify with the graffiti, (the kids and the focus group came from the same neighborhood), the Magna Corp won the competition.
For those of you from big companies, it is definitely very difficult to involve the whole company. So the top management could decide some macro goals and vision pass it down to the middle management and get them to craft out the goals of their department according to the goals or vision crafted by the top management and so on. What is important is the whole company can relate to the macro goals and vision painted by the top management.
Another important factor is the hirin
For those of you from big companies, it is definitely very difficult to involve the whole company. So the top management could decide some macro goals and vision pass it down to the middle management and get them to craft out the goals of their department according to the goals or vision crafted by the top management and so on. What is important is the whole company can relate to the macro goals and vision painted by the top management.
Another important factor is the hirin
ucts have become life saving products for the pharmaceutical companies who doesn’t have many innovative molecules in their product pipeline and have been inc
g process. Michael Dell, from Dell Computers stresses that it is important to hire people who is completely in sync with the company’s philosophy and objectives. This person’s thinking must be compatible with company’s value and belief. (Please read Direct From Dell by Michael Dell).
2) Capability of Generals: Capability of Manager or Team Leader (Leadership)
This is more straightforward than the previous sub-area. This is one area that is quite important in my opinion. The reason why I say that is because firstly, a good leader would have been able to unite and command the respect of his army and people of the nation. A wise general would not be leading his army to attack when weather conditions are bad or terr
2) Capability of Generals: Capability of Manager or Team Leader (Leadership)
This is more straightforward than the previous sub-area. This is one area that is quite important in my opinion. The reason why I say that is because firstly, a good leader would have been able to unite and command the respect of his army and people of the nation. A wise general would not be leading his army to attack when weather conditions are bad or terr
easingly used in the product life cycle management. Even the companies having product patents are trying to extend their product life cycle through the combi
in is unfavorable. Even if he is forced to do so, his wisdom (one of the characteristics for mentioned comparison) would be able make his troops avoid engaging his enemies or turn disadvantages into advantages. Good generals would be able to create a strong organization structure and control in his army through the other four characteristic mentioned for comparison.
The five capabilities that are advocated by Sun Zi are Wisdom, Benevolence, Courage, Discipline and Trustworthiness. Just these five characteristics are definitely not and exhaustive list of the characteristic of a good leader, but in my opinion these five are the most important so that an army, or in business, the project team or department to function prop
The five capabilities that are advocated by Sun Zi are Wisdom, Benevolence, Courage, Discipline and Trustworthiness. Just these five characteristics are definitely not and exhaustive list of the characteristic of a good leader, but in my opinion these five are the most important so that an army, or in business, the project team or department to function prop
nation products and maximize the revenues. But the companies involved in this practice are overlooking that they are burdening the patients both economically
erly. And from these five words, there are a lot of things to look out for, which I shall not write here or I would be writing a whole chapter.
3) Advantage of provided by Weather and Terrain: Different Aspects of Market like the culture of people, government set rules and regulation
This is something that is not straightforward, not a lot of people can relate from weather and terrain with respect to which area of business. After reading some books and some thoughts, I would like many to take note of the difference.
For weather, we know that in war, the advantages and disadvantages presented by it can be tremendous and influence is wide ranging. It is one of the factors that we cannot control at all. For busine
3) Advantage of provided by Weather and Terrain: Different Aspects of Market like the culture of people, government set rules and regulation
This is something that is not straightforward, not a lot of people can relate from weather and terrain with respect to which area of business. After reading some books and some thoughts, I would like many to take note of the difference.
For weather, we know that in war, the advantages and disadvantages presented by it can be tremendous and influence is wide ranging. It is one of the factors that we cannot control at all. For busine
and physically. They need to rightly judge the benefits of the combination products and they have to even look at the risks involved when combining the produ
ss, these could be the trends that are happening in the broad industry. Like certain consumer trends, e.g. Consumers are going for healthier food. Grey-ing market, Current Technology is going the convergent route and so on.
So what about terrain? Well after much thought I think it can be comparable to the market you are battling or catering to. Depending on the market and your strategic focus, the barriers of entry and exit are determined. If you have looked through Sun Zi Art of War, you would have known that when Sun Zi mentioned about terrain, it is most of the time, how easy or difficult one can enter the terrain. For a comprehensive list of barriers of entry or exit, I would recommend Michael Porter’s Competitive S
So what about terrain? Well after much thought I think it can be comparable to the market you are battling or catering to. Depending on the market and your strategic focus, the barriers of entry and exit are determined. If you have looked through Sun Zi Art of War, you would have known that when Sun Zi mentioned about terrain, it is most of the time, how easy or difficult one can enter the terrain. For a comprehensive list of barriers of entry or exit, I would recommend Michael Porter’s Competitive S
ts. Some of the combination products were well accepted by physicians while others suffered. Companies involved in development of combination products are fi
trategy.
4) Effective and Efficient Execution of Orders - Business Systems like inventory management, delivery system and others.
In the fourth sub areas proposed by Sun Zi, it queries whether an army is able to execute orders efficiently and effectively.
In war, if the orders are not clearly passed down to everyone in the army, confusion will prevail and would render the whole army useless and in the end the general would not be able to execute his strategy. So we can see from here is that strategies can be formulated but there would be risk in carrying out the strategy. In Romance of Three Kingdoms, we have marveled at the strategies that were formulated by Kong Ming, or more often known as Zhuge Liang, but i
4) Effective and Efficient Execution of Orders - Business Systems like inventory management, delivery system and others.
In the fourth sub areas proposed by Sun Zi, it queries whether an army is able to execute orders efficiently and effectively.
In war, if the orders are not clearly passed down to everyone in the army, confusion will prevail and would render the whole army useless and in the end the general would not be able to execute his strategy. So we can see from here is that strategies can be formulated but there would be risk in carrying out the strategy. In Romance of Three Kingdoms, we have marveled at the strategies that were formulated by Kong Ming, or more often known as Zhuge Liang, but i
ding difficulty in defining their combination products and facing various challenges from selecting a combination to marketing it.
Following aspects would a
Following aspects would a
f the generals that he delegated the assignment to was not able to execute them well, his strategies would be useless no matter how good it sound on paper.
Relating this to business, I think the most prominent thing that a company should go for is to improve the business systems in his company. Business systems could be logistic/supply chain systems, sales processing systems, HR systems and many more. As most companies, operate or expand, they should aim to improve their systems. Make it more convenient and effective for the staffs that are using it. Sometimes, as the companies expand too fast, like catering to several overseas market or relocation of some functions of the company to other countries and so on, some requ
Relating this to business, I think the most prominent thing that a company should go for is to improve the business systems in his company. Business systems could be logistic/supply chain systems, sales processing systems, HR systems and many more. As most companies, operate or expand, they should aim to improve their systems. Make it more convenient and effective for the staffs that are using it. Sometimes, as the companies expand too fast, like catering to several overseas market or relocation of some functions of the company to other countries and so on, some requ
dd to the challenges in developing combination products:
Which markets to tap where the combination products can do fairly well?
Which combination prod
Which markets to tap where the combination products can do fairly well?
Which combination prod
irements that were needed could be redundant and new requirements & regulations or technology must be added to improve it.
So how do you improve the systems in your company? Well, need I say more, ask the people who are using the system. For example, for sales processing system, ask your salespeople, admin staff for the system. You may include your IT personnel to see if there could be some cost effective automation integrated into the process.
All in all, give your staff the necessary resources and convenience to carry out their task effectively and efficiently.
5) Equipped level and numerical strength of army - Technology available to staff
Now in war the equipped level and the numerical strength of the army
So how do you improve the systems in your company? Well, need I say more, ask the people who are using the system. For example, for sales processing system, ask your salespeople, admin staff for the system. You may include your IT personnel to see if there could be some cost effective automation integrated into the process.
All in all, give your staff the necessary resources and convenience to carry out their task effectively and efficiently.
5) Equipped level and numerical strength of army - Technology available to staff
Now in war the equipped level and the numerical strength of the army
cts are meaningful and rational?
Which therapeutic categories to select?
Which Combinations can address unmet needs of the patients?
Do combin
Which therapeutic categories to select?
Which Combinations can address unmet needs of the patients?
Do combin
plays and important part in victory. Because the larger the army, the more you can strengthen you positions or attack more places to distract your enemy. The next best thing would be to equip your army with the best armor and weapon so that they have the advantage over the enemy’s army. This advantage, no matter how small or little, will be important during war. Because as I said in war, it is either live or death, for the nation as a whole.
So how does this relate to business? We can easily interpret this as the equipped level of your staff in carrying out their jobs. For instance, an employee cannot do much if you only provide her with a typewriter. All she can do is fill out forms or file a report. But if you provid
So how does this relate to business? We can easily interpret this as the equipped level of your staff in carrying out their jobs. For instance, an employee cannot do much if you only provide her with a typewriter. All she can do is fill out forms or file a report. But if you provid
tions increase the patient compliance?
What would be the developing cost?
How to tackle the risks encountered during combination product developmen
What would be the developing cost?
How to tackle the risks encountered during combination product developmen
her with a computer, now that is a totally different thing. She can do calculation of account, enter accounts and so on.
Each and every staff should be equipped with the bare necessities to help improve their work rate. We have seen how Wal-Mart is using the latest technology, RFID, to help improve their logistics and sales. By using technology, you would be able to provide your staff with real time data so that they can make quick decision and clinch sales easily. Of course all these have to be weighted against the costs of buying and installing the technology. Be well versed with the latest available technology, note their development and once it is advantageous to equip your staff with it, go ahead to buy it.
6)
Each and every staff should be equipped with the bare necessities to help improve their work rate. We have seen how Wal-Mart is using the latest technology, RFID, to help improve their logistics and sales. By using technology, you would be able to provide your staff with real time data so that they can make quick decision and clinch sales easily. Of course all these have to be weighted against the costs of buying and installing the technology. Be well versed with the latest available technology, note their development and once it is advantageous to equip your staff with it, go ahead to buy it.
6)
t?
As combination products don't fit into the traditional categories of drugs, medical devices, or biological products, the USFDA is in the process of devel
As combination products don't fit into the traditional categories of drugs, medical devices, or biological products, the USFDA is in the process of devel
Training Level of Army – skill set and knowledge level of Staff
When we say equipped level, most people would quickly relate to technology available to staff, we tend to overlook the software which is the skill set of the staff. We need to send our staff to attain more skills and knowledge. Knowledge of the industry to feel the pulse of it, new developments in their field like sales and marketing, knowledge of maximising the efficiency of the technology available and so on. A computer is nothing if one does not have the knowledge to use. Now another point I want to mention here is that most employer would send their employees to pick up skills that are needed immediately but this often does not provide a company wi
When we say equipped level, most people would quickly relate to technology available to staff, we tend to overlook the software which is the skill set of the staff. We need to send our staff to attain more skills and knowledge. Knowledge of the industry to feel the pulse of it, new developments in their field like sales and marketing, knowledge of maximising the efficiency of the technology available and so on. A computer is nothing if one does not have the knowledge to use. Now another point I want to mention here is that most employer would send their employees to pick up skills that are needed immediately but this often does not provide a company wi
ping new procedures for reviewing their safety, efficacy and quality.
Professional from academic institutions, pharmaceutical industries, health care indust
Professional from academic institutions, pharmaceutical industries, health care indust
th a competitive edge, what employers should look out for is sending staff to obtain skills that are needed in the future so that you are well equipped to handle the new opportunities that you foresee coming and reduce the reaction lag as mention in Porter’s Competitive Strategy.
Now a lot of people worry that if you send these people to improve their skill sets, they would leave for greener pastures when they are poached for that skill. I would suggest that you make this clear to the employee and ask that he be contracted for a period of time or at least require the staff to pay part of the training fees, not substantially of course.
7) Administration of Rewards and Punishment
Here I would like to stress the
Now a lot of people worry that if you send these people to improve their skill sets, they would leave for greener pastures when they are poached for that skill. I would suggest that you make this clear to the employee and ask that he be contracted for a period of time or at least require the staff to pay part of the training fees, not substantially of course.
7) Administration of Rewards and Punishment
Here I would like to stress the
y and representatives from various regulatory agencies are working out to design the regulatory requirements for manufacture and sale of combination products
importance of rewards and punishment. Han Fei Zi, a great politician during the Warring States Era stressed the importance of administering rewards and punishment, writing two chapters on it. He said that the administration of it is so important it actually determines the survival or demise of the nation. And equate the administration power of rewards and punishment of the ruler to the fangs and claws to a tiger. Without the power, the ruler would not be able to administer the affairs of the state well. Would anyone listen to their supervisor if it lacks the power to administer rewards and punishment? Of course not, because he has lost authority on you.
One of the two chapters written by Han Fei Zi, is about setting the
One of the two chapters written by Han Fei Zi, is about setting the
.
As there is an increasing trend of the combination products companies manufacturing such products should be able to tackle the problems involved in the de
As there is an increasing trend of the combination products companies manufacturing such products should be able to tackle the problems involved in the de
rules and condition for rewards and punishment and the next chapter on how to administer it. The reason why a chapter was written on the administration is because during those days and even till now, we tend to reward more to people that we know and love and excuse our relatives or friends from punishment when they make a mistake. Why is this so? This is because firstly, we are human beings thus we have feelings and secondly is because these friends affect our social life. We do not want to offend them.
So it is important in the modern business that they structure their reward and punishment correctly so that their work is aligned with that of the business strategy and culture. For example if you reward base on individ
So it is important in the modern business that they structure their reward and punishment correctly so that their work is aligned with that of the business strategy and culture. For example if you reward base on individ
elopment. They need to be wiser in analyzing the market trends and the regulatory requirements.
Companies that provide selfless information through particip
Companies that provide selfless information through particip
ual sales, it is very likely you would not be promoting teamwork. If you reward base on individual product department performance, it is very unlikely that cross selling would not occur.
Besides aligning with the business strategy and culture, the administration of rewards and punishment plays a big part in talent management strategies as well. In business, the pay you give to your staff is always compared to one that is similar job scope and preferably in the same industry to make a good comparison. Beside the pay being compared with other similar jobs, it is also compared with inflation as well. Employee may feel shortchanged, especially in times of high inflation, when income increase cannot be in tune with inflation
Besides aligning with the business strategy and culture, the administration of rewards and punishment plays a big part in talent management strategies as well. In business, the pay you give to your staff is always compared to one that is similar job scope and preferably in the same industry to make a good comparison. Beside the pay being compared with other similar jobs, it is also compared with inflation as well. Employee may feel shortchanged, especially in times of high inflation, when income increase cannot be in tune with inflation
tion in industry events and feedback to regulatory authorities would be able to face the challenges and will be successful in developing combination products
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