War strategies and business

So I finally watched 300: Rise of Empire. The first 300 movie was very good so when I heard of the new release I wanted to make sure I caught it. No, not for the Greeks in tight underwear..well, not just ;)

I find war tactics and strategies very interesting, particularly the ones that seem so unexpectable. Ok my idea of this topic may not be original if you've heard of or read Tsun Zu's Art of War but this is my take on it. Actually, I have not read the book. Books with obvious titles don't interest me. Yeah yeah I do judge a book by its cover so judge me :P 

Not only from movies but through many conversations I've had with my father, grandfather, uncles and in laws who have been in the line of duty I've heard many stories, tactics and tricks being used in war and battles. Whilst I am impressed by the stories, what amazes me more is what it took to come up with them and this, I'd like to relate to business..

An effective strategy is prolly half in the execution and half in the planning. And planning effectively means a few things and in the case of this movie, it means knowing your opponents and in business, your competition. How big the fleet, how strong the ships, where is its weakest point, who is the general and what is his weakest point (and Themistocles the general's weakest point I knew from the part the movie got slightly cut, you know what I mean). These are just to name a few.

The second important part of planning is knowing your environment and in business context, knowing your market. In this movie, at least two battle strategies made effective use of the environment, the battle at the rocky valleys and the bay. Both 'terrains' naturally trapped the opponents.

Another lesson learnt from 300 and this applies especially to men (I of course pointed it out to my husband), don't ever piss off a woman. The saying 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' must have been said for a reason!