“The Great Escape” – One of the most popular strategy, tactics from the ancient Chinese book of the 36 strategy are the last strategy tactic on the list of the thirty-six stratagems module.
The Great Escape 走為上計, understood the strength of the enemy or the challenge that is overly strong, and choosing a complete retreat path might be the best option for this situation.
In the authentic Chinese translation, the character 走 or the word “Escape” doesn’t mean being chicken, afraid and run away. It is the art of war, converting the current plan in avoiding head to head against the strong situation, and be ready to plan for the next retaliation attack.
Are The 36 Strategies, Same As The Art Of War?
People often mistaken and ask, if “The book Art of War” 孫子兵法 is the same as “The book Thirty-six Strategy” 三十六計 ? The answer is No. They were written as two different books, two different eras with different authors.
But often these two ancient Chinese books will get mixed together because these strategies are similar and linked, which can be applied during the war, business or any given situation. Using both of these books as a combined connecting method seems to be quite effective.
The Chinese character 三十六計 has a tiny broad meaning. 36 tactics, 36 tricks, 36 strategies, 36 thinking, etc. Which all are similar, but different, depended on how this strategy was applied.
The real curiosity is where did this ancient book came from? Part of this transformation, the ancient Chinese Thirty-six Strategies came from the i-Ching book 易經 or the Yin Yang theory 陰陽, using 6 multiplied by 6 is 36 count.
The book I-Ching is also known as the book of changes, rely on the subject of constant changing. Therefore, as the situation changes, so does the strategy. In the future, I will be covering some of the materials about i-Ching.
Who Wrote The Chinese 36 Strategies Book?
In respectfully, we understand these strategies were heavily used during many legendary wars, especially by many ancient Chinese generals, warriors and leaders.
In short, the core of this book was accumulated from several well-known Chinese general leaders’ biography. It was well documented.
The famous war winning methods not only have been well documented by the Chinese, but also revise into simple direct understandable tactic. The first publication was founded handwritten and printed by the local publisher in China during 1941.
Breakdown The Offense And Defense Strategy By Category
The Chinese 36 Stratagems has divided into 2 main groups within 6 categories. Two main groups are the offensive winning strategy and the defensive disadvantage tactics.
The six categories are “Advantageous Strategies”, “Opportunistic Strategies” and “Offensives Strategies”, these three belong to the offensive group, which are used for winning battle situations.
The other three categories are “Confusion Strategies”, “Deception Strategies” and “Desperate Strategies”, these are referred as the defensive group or tackling the disadvantageous situation.
Remember, as we have mentioned earlier, in war or in business the situation is constantly changing. Therefore, some of these strategies shall be used as combination tactics for better result.
If you want to learn these strategies from a business point of view, best to understand all 36 strategies, and not only the single best method.
The Best Business Strategy From The Chinese 36 Stratagems
Although, the last strategy as I have mentioned above is the most popular method, it really not the best strategy. Well, it can be the optimal strategy if the situation appears to be the best fit in use of the Great Escape tactic option.
The Great Escape is teaching us not to be a fool wasting unnecessary sacrifices. Just accept the temporary fallback and reorganize your plan instead of losing everything with no return.
Whether you are in business or at war, whenever we are facing an extremely difficult situation, there are generally three outcomes.
The first two outcomes are “Give-up”, admitting the defeat and surrender. The second one is “Try Negotiation”, negotiating your way out of the bad situation.
These two directions have clearly shown defeated conclusively. However, the last outcome, which is the “Runaway”, escape or fleeing from the scene.
This doesn’t mean you are defeated yet. Because you might switch your tactic or approach and come back with a suitable time facing the situation again.
Using Businesses Tactic With The 36 Strategy, The Great Escape
In today’s business world, you are exploring better alternatives. I believe any smart company that can sense the critical fall of the bankruptcy must act fast and be ready to walk away, and not looking back.
If people could capture the gems of this strategy lesson, this could be the best solution in applying the Great Escape method.
Let’s take a look at what the Apple company, Steve Jobs did, he totally walked away from the Apple old module and proceed a new skin for his company.
Steve Jobs understands the great power behind the Escape scheme, not holding on to a down sloping businesses. He simply walked away and create new directions, new products or markets for his company.
New Business Era In Applying The Great Escape Strategy
As the years go by, every successful businessman will remember the good previous business strategy, which may work extremely well before, but not in this new era.
Business people must admit and recognize the products or marketing strategy from before may be obsolete and being replaced with new advance technology; perhaps even new competitors.
It is easy for any companies dropping into this famous pitfall, by believing the good old days brought them great profits and continue being stubborn in filling these holes of illusion, which likely will never come.
If the failing company realizes the danger and willing to apply the Great Escape method from the 36 stratagems.
They could salvage their remaining resources at an early stage and reinvent their plan with a new focus on the areas which they are confident to excel in. That would be a better use of this strategy.
Should You Escape Or Attack, The Art Of War
The escape method can apply in many other areas, not only in war and definitely not only in business.
Here’s another example, if a man in a casino has earned his winning in the beginning, then currently facing a series of the losing streak, continuously losing his money.
The smartest move is to awaken, stop all betting as early as possible and save his capitals, then understand knowing another day in another way to win or redeem his loses with a different method.
Do not attempt to continue using the same failing method, which has proven the loss. Keep in mind, you can always earn your win using a different vehicle or strategy.
To apply in a real war and battles, it makes no sense to sacrifice soldiers and resources. In business, it is the same language.
By now, you have clearly identified when to apply the 36 strategy, The Escape method. Yes, as early as possible. Yes, and the best time to attack is when a good opportunity comes, putting the laser focus onto your best acceleration.
Conclusion & Summary
Here’s My G.O.A.T.
Greatness:
The 36 Strategies, Desperate Category of The Defensive Group, “The Great Escape”
Observation:
- Knowing when to quit is a powerful strategy;
- Saving your resources for another opportunity is critical;
- When the giant arrived knowing to your disadvantage position, you must be willing to change new tactic.
Application:
To me, the online marketing is tough. Especially, when I am not in a decent position of a good start. Why should I try to compete with everyone with the social media?
I ask myself this, is there an alternative way to go around it? If I want to succeed in social media with massive result, am I willing to invest multiple hours of hard work like those people has done before?
My conclusion, I am going to genuinely interacting with my social media platforms and my followers, and not fall in the pitfall of chasing the imitation of achieving the numbers and the volume.
Definitely not taking advantage of the Ai in creating false shortcut. Because, at the end using inappropriate shortcuts will only comeback in shaking my success.
Thankful:
I am actually very glad that I took the time to unpack this Art of War article and able to share whoever may read or listen when the time and situation arose.
I cherish very much with the good old days, maybe now I have learned deeper with this lesson and shall apply with awaken of the changes in making things better. This, I have to thanks the wonderful readers like yourself in here.
I am looking forward to writing many more of this similar breakdown, and help the authentic translation of the old Ancient Chinese Book within my ability.
