Name of paper: MUMBAI MIRROR (Times of India)
Date: Monday, 25th Dec, 06 (page 22)
In this 75th article on Chanakya’s treatise Arthashastra, I’d like to talk about one very important stage of conducting business – the ‘Game Theory’. All management personnel and economists are familiar with this, and use it very often to analyse situations and, especially competition.
Chanakya was a pioneer of the Game theory. In Arthashastra, it is called the “Mandala Theory” (‘Circle of Kings’). It consists of various multiple permutations and combinations of dealing with the enemy or the Shatru,
In a battle, when face-to-face with the Shatru, Chanakya says,
But how does one strategize and make this move against the enemy (competitor) in today’s corporate world? Some tips:
Just look at how the Indian hockey team was tackled. They had become invincible at the Olympics for years together. Then the competition studies the rules: They understood that Indians were unbeatable on the grass. They changed the rules of the game, and the ‘turg’ it is played on, literally! Since, then, even on modern-day ‘Astroturf’, it continues to be a struggle for Indians.
All said and done, when the time comes to counter your competitor’s moves, do not sit back. Execute. And during execution, do not strategise. The best performers have always defeated their competitors in a single move! It will work for you too.
(The author is the director of ATMA DARSHAN, a company that provides services, including spiritual tours. He is a management consultant and trainer. Those interested in having his sessions in their respective organisations can contact him on +91-9820374796 / 9821152537 or mail to radhakrishnan@ atmadarshan. com)
Date: Monday, 25th Dec, 06 (page 22)
GAME THEORY: THE ART OF TACKLING YOUR COMPETITOR
- Radhakrishnan Pillai
(This weekly column will explore the relevance and application of Principles and Strategies of Chanakya as discussed in his 3rd Century BC treatise, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, in Today’s Corporate World)
In this 75th article on Chanakya’s treatise Arthashastra, I’d like to talk about one very important stage of conducting business – the ‘Game Theory’. All management personnel and economists are familiar with this, and use it very often to analyse situations and, especially competition.
Chanakya was a pioneer of the Game theory. In Arthashastra, it is called the “Mandala Theory” (‘Circle of Kings’). It consists of various multiple permutations and combinations of dealing with the enemy or the Shatru,
In a battle, when face-to-face with the Shatru, Chanakya says,
“If near him (enemy), he should strike in his weak point” (7.2.12)
But how does one strategize and make this move against the enemy (competitor) in today’s corporate world? Some tips:
- STUDY THE COMPETITION
- PRACTICE WELL
- KNOW THE RULES OF THE GAME
Just look at how the Indian hockey team was tackled. They had become invincible at the Olympics for years together. Then the competition studies the rules: They understood that Indians were unbeatable on the grass. They changed the rules of the game, and the ‘turg’ it is played on, literally! Since, then, even on modern-day ‘Astroturf’, it continues to be a struggle for Indians.
All said and done, when the time comes to counter your competitor’s moves, do not sit back. Execute. And during execution, do not strategise. The best performers have always defeated their competitors in a single move! It will work for you too.
(The author is the director of ATMA DARSHAN, a company that provides services, including spiritual tours. He is a management consultant and trainer. Those interested in having his sessions in their respective organisations can contact him on +91-9820374796 / 9821152537 or mail to radhakrishnan@ atmadarshan. com)