Strategies..

Three main ones crop up in modern management. defensive,overtly offensive,covertly offensive.The choice depends on whether to fight,one is strong enough to fight,one is yet weak in defense even though he may be strong enough to fight and it is a situation with no option. Hence executives are expected to take responsibility to their organizations seriously and temper their natural aggression.At the same time,one is taught to take every advantage of opportunities and to be wary of threats so that one can be adept in the Art of War and make best of its situation.

In defensive warfare,rather than merely taking a passive acceptance of ones position in the face of stronger rivals,seek the offensive with the clear objective of protecting one's market share. Sometimes leading companies will also take a defensive stance to protect what they have got.Never assume we will never be attacked but to prepare against such.Defensive strategy is thus more proactive than reactive.The lesson is that one should be disciplined in seeking to consolidate one's strengths,such could involve chopping off products which are not doing well or replacing those which are about to enter the decline phase as depicted on the product life cycle.At the same time, one should monitor the competitors movement. Should we suffer a sudden price attack,be wary of the wait and see approach.If we have been well informed about our competitor,then we should know the extent of their financial capabilities and his archilees heels so we can launch a counter attack.
In overt offensive, ie open war fare where one publicly muscles and launch into a straight for the throat attack against the competitor,it serve no purpose to be destructive.This is because there is no point in taking control of a company whose management and staff are demoralized,whose financial resources are exhausted and image and credibility ruined.
And when taking over the company bid for,do not waste the human resource. Be well informed about the company that is being taken over so that we know the capability of each key manager in the company and retain the capable ones who should be assured of employment and fair treatment.
Offensive warfare is mainly based on superiority in numbers whereby one's forces should be concentrated.This means not fighting on too wide a territory with too broad a range of products to avoid over spreading resources. In keeping your forces concentrated,avoid taking more than one competitor at a time.While concentrating your force,remember to keep something in reserve,and even if u hv a plenty of funds,do not spend it all at once.
While superiority innumbers tend to place the odds in larger companies favor because the larger firm has larger budget to advertise,hire the best or more staff,do not over rely on such as there can be weakness in strength.Larger companies take longer time to make decisions when compared with a smaller firm. A small company may thus be able to surprise a big company with a new product,sometimes one can also feed on the enemy ie joint ventures,by riding on their successes or publicity.

Using covert offensive strategy,requires one to keep as low profile as possible while making his offensive moves.In staying out of the limelight,his moves are virtually unknown to the world at karge..quietly,he shall attack his rivals strategy and prevents his alliance with other competitors.And when a competitor presents an opportunity,do not hesitate to seize it because if one is slow to react,there may never be a second window.Salam.