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 WAR FOR WELFARE (DRVSRS –WFW)
SOURCE :
http://drvsrs.com/store/page1.html#11
SUMMARY
What is the origin of
“Strategic Management” leading the world towards Welfare and better
living over a period of time ?
This question opens a “Pandora’s Box”. It is significant that it is
a key question to open up the knowledge of a world of ignorance,
with some believing that strategic management is initiated by
science and some as economics and management faculty. The answer is
the WAR that gave birth to the concepts of “Strategic
Management”. [Note - In Greek mythology, God Zeus – God of
intelligence, like the Roman Jupiter - gave a box to “Pandora” (the
first intelligent greek woman ever created), with the instructions
that she should not open it. By her curiosity she opened it. All the
miseries and evils (boxed for the good of the world) flew out to
afflict mankind by asking questions, questions and questions].
First of all, the word “STRATEGY” itself is a proprietary property
of the war mongers. Any peace loving person will continue his living
by synchronizing his mind and body with the environment, the
surroundings (including people, geography and the nature) and the
nature. But people in conflict do not live in peace at any point of
time. They always try to guess the probable movement of the enemies,
always plan and innovative ways to over come their enemies. This war
motivated innovation is the “Strategic” approach. The war strategies are optimised target hitting experiences and
these tactics could be applied to any peace time techno-commercial
problems. Hence, they took shape as “Strategic Management Models”.
The best contributors are from the “Mahabharatha war (3,102 BC),
Artha Sasthra enunciated by Kautilya (4th Century BC), the First
world war (1914-1918) and the Second world war (1939-1945). Sweden,
did not participate in any war. But gained an economic leap
from the war requirements !!!
A) BIRTH OF STRATEGIC
MANAGEMENT
These war strategies became useful during the post-war time and
took shape as the “Strategic management” concepts. When there is no
war, each nation was busy in keeping their people and economy at a
reasonable higher level. This is in a crude way, is an “Economic
superiority war or Cold war” between the nations. This sequenced the
functions of each faculty in a strategic order. The faculty of
science innovates (compressed steam can be used to move objects with
force). The faculty of engineering made some designs to compress the
steam and utilise the moving power for some constructive work
(steam driven devises). The faculty of technology used these
designs to make some boilers to make steam, chests to compress it,
link to a wheel, levers to control the wheel movement and made it as
a gadget to produce and transport (steam driven utilities). The
faculty of economics worked out the cost and breakeven quantum to
bring it to the viable use of the common man.
At this point, every entrepreneur started using the steam power for
different utilities and originated the situation of “competition” (a
peace time war to grab profits out of the sequence of innovation!!).
To compete, progress and become a market leader, there was a need
for “strategic tools” and it was management (Mixture of Economics
and Social Science).
Now US is supposed to be a leader with the most advanced computer
and internet supported “strategic management” methodologies.
Harvard, MIT, NASA, Stanford etc.. in US are some of the centres for
research and development in “strategic management”. There is no
wonder because
USA, irrespective of who is the President, is always involved at any
point of time, in some war at any alien locations !!! This provides
a base to innovate more and more advanced “strategic management”
methodologies, which is not within the viable opportunity for many
other nations. (Please See The book “DRVSRS – MOTIVATOR” at
http://drvsrs.com/sores/page1.html#6).
B) MAHABHARATHA WAR.
The Mahabharata War, the most ancient in the world, is a critical
marker of “Strategic management” guideline for the world, in early
Indian history. Modern studies using powerful software that can
reconstruct the ancient skies, based on approximate conjunction of
the planets mentioned in the epic, predict that the war was
initiated on Feb
17, 3102 BC. The Mahabharata epic - the text of 100,000 verses -
which is a source for the events of the War to be taken as history ?
The epic itself claims to have been originally just 8,800 verses
composed by Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa and called the Jaya. Later, it
became 24,000 verses, called the Bharata, when it was recited by
Vaishampayana. Finally, it was recited as the 100,000 versed epic
(the Mahabharata) by Ugrashravas, the son of Lomaharshana. [Note – The names are those of the kings (rulers), rishis
(philosophers) and strategic advisers of the Indian states during
the 3,500 to 2,500 BC period). The war was fought on the plains of
Kuruksetra, a district of Northern Indian State of Haryana. Kurukshetra was
originally given to an area covered by 48 kosas (land measurement
scale used in India) 860 places of pilgrimage related to the
Mahabharata exist even today, extending in 29.97°N and 76.85°E, It
is about 150 km / 100 miles Northwest of Delhi, the Indian capital.
The war was a big 3 Weeks battle between the Pandavas (5 brothers
depicting good and truth) and Kauravas (100 cousin brothers of
Pandavas, depicting the harmful and untruth. NOTE : Vyuham = Army
formation]
1) If the enemy attacks like a Flood water flow
format(Pralaya Vyuham), with a powerful rushing force method –
Attack in a Tetrahedron format (a polyhedron with 4 plane faces –
Chathur buja vyagra Vyuham) structure to split the impact of forces
at 90 degree angles.[Moral – The 90 degree resolution of any
force F is F Cos90 = F X 0 = Null. In today’s science this concept
is used to stop sea erosion. In management, if the competitor try to
capture the market by mass / wide spread advertisements (horizontal
consumer brain wash), announce discounts, gifts and economy packs
(vertical consumer gains)].
2) If the
enemy attacks in a Snake format (Sarpa Vyuham), with a spiral
forward motion – Attack in an Eagle flight (Garuda Vyugam)
structure. [Moral – Eagle is the natural and powerful enemy to the
snakes. A spiral motion needs curved and wasted ground force to
follow and grab. Hence attempt with a random access flying force
to capture the objects from any point on the curve. [Moral
- The equivalent strategic management situation is if a
competitor provides incentives to sell the product through a large
volume of randomly and remotely located retail outlets, then
approach with a multi media Cine/TV advertisement to reach the
consumers at every nook and corner in the nation, through a random
approach mass media].
3) If the enemy approaches in a Frog format (Bekha Vyuham) then
attack in a Snake formation (Sarpa Vyuham). [Moral – Snake is
the natural and powerful enemy to a frog. Frog jumps and goes
forward. This could destroy packets of our resources at random
points. Hence a spiral forward motion is recommended to capture the
attacking force from any point it lands. The equivalent strategic
management situation is if the investment and productive or storage
points of a corporate sector are distributed at random packet
locations to provide an economy in operations, link them by proper
spirally formatted information network].
4) If the enemy attacks with large quantum of fearful fire arms
(Agni Vyuham), then nullify it with water jet (Veerya sikhtha jala
vyuham) and fire-annihilation (Agni nashika vyuham) techniques [Moral
–Fire destroys all objects in its way. Hence it should be stopped at
the entry level. The equivalent strategic management situations in a
production shop with intensive welding and heat treatment
operations, construct the roof with water jet nozzles and provide
plenty of fire extinguishing tools, both at the entrance and
inside.]
5) If there are some powerful people in the enemy, with
ability to alter the war strategies at random and unexpected
fashion, then meet them and inform truths (or near truths), which
will destroy their mental stability. [Moral – Even though it
is an unethical war strategy, it is used in Mahabharatha war. The
equivalent strategic management situation is to attract the
intelligent and productive persons with the competitors, with more
attractive salaries and benefits.This is what happens when a
developed national corporate unit opens their production operations
in a developing / under developed nation. The labour and technicians
desert the domestic sectors and join the foreign unit, due to
monetary and other incentive, without knowing their longevity. The
square (4 dimensional) approach recommended for strategic
management is Sama (Friendly settlement), Dhana (Group
Negotiation) Betha (Induct fear) and Dhanda (Beat and
fight) in chronological order.]
6) If the kith, kins, teachers and elders of respect, join
the enemy and fight against you, then ignore the worldly affinity
and relationships. "Do your duty to fight and win the war and leave
the result to an almighty". [Moral – This is the essence of
Mahabharatha war in “Bagavath Geetha”, the Bhishma Parva of the
Mahabharata epic. Due to differences in recensions they may be
numbered in the full text of the Mahabharata as chapters 6.25 to
6.42 or as chapters 6.23 to 6.40. There 700 verses, This has
provided many dynamic management strategies, particularly to the
area of man power management. The manpower job appraisal
should not be mixed with inter personal relationships. The performer
should be rewarded and the non-performer should be warned and
motivated to perform well, and if necessary terminated.] Please See
the book “SOMA BY DRVSRS” at
http://drvsrs.com/store/page1.html#10 (SOMA = Social Management).
C) ARTHA SASTHRA
The ruler of a large empire in India during the 4th
Century BC was Chandra Guptha Maurya. He had a Politico-Economic
adviser by name “Kautilya”, He was also known as “Chanakya”. He
created a Economics/Management strategy manual called “Artha
Sasthra” with 15 Chapters, 380 sanskrit versus and 4,968 rules.
Probably this could be the earliest book in the theory of “strategic
management” for a ruler to govern the country skillfully with proper
control on the domestic people, be well prepared and be protected
form possible wars from the border countries.
1) KNOWLEDGE
Small difference in ability can lead to enormous
differences in results. The main aim in one’s career is to identify,
acquire and develop these differences, which yield superior results.
Knowledge is important. Knowledge is cumulative. Once it exists, it
grows. Every new piece of knowledge reveals connections with other
areas of knowledge. Each breakthrough in knowledge creates new
opportunities that expand and multiply. Thinking is creative. You
can create your world by the way you think. Situation and people
have the meaning you give them. When you change your thinking, you
are changing your life. To take control of your life, you must take
control of your mind.
2) PLANNING
By failing to
plan, you are planning to fail. Every effective performance is based
on thorough preparation. You should be firm about your goal, but
flexible about the process of reaching the goal.
3) LEADERSHIP
A great leader shows ability to make decision and act boldly in the
face of setbacks and adversity. Power goes to the person who uses it
most effectively. Leaders are sensitive to and are aware of the
needs, feelings and motivation of those they lead. Foundation of
leadership consists of honesty, truthfulness and straight dealing.
Leaders develop ability to predict and anticipate the future.
Self-discipline is the most important personal quality of a
leader.
4) SUCCESS
Most important basis of success in any venture is pragmatism. Do not
ask where the new idea came from or who thought of it first. Ask
only one question “How does it work ? ”. There are certain
basic universal laws. They do not change. Ignorance of these laws is
no excuse. .Violation of these laws of forces ends in penalty
through underachievement, frustration and failure. Success needs
action. Action needs initiative. For sustaining success, initiative
to collect the experience and feedback is important. Feedback
allows you to take corrective action, which sustains success. For
every effect, there is a specific cause. Success is not an accident.
Success is not based on chance. Success is not a matter of luck.
Success is the result of well thought out actions.
5)
NETWORK ADMINISTRATION
Artha sastra points out that any administration cannot be
individualistic. It should be relative with Mithra (Friend or Ally)
and Vairee (Enemy). Mithra consists of the groups who would come to
the support for a peaceful and harmonious administration. Vairees
are those who attempt to shatter the peaceful and harmonious
administration. Both the alleys and enemies could be from within or
in an external location. It should be the duty of the administrator
to support a Mitra, and successfully manipulate and win over a
Vairee. The attributes needed to face this situation are
Cleverness of Speech, Intelligence, Knowledge of Politics,
Memory, Morals and Readiness to provide the resources. The concept
of Upeksha or Diplomacy is recommended as an useful strategy
to be explored, coupled with a pragmatic approach to the essential
realities in a given situation.
D) WORLD WAR – 1
World War I, also known as the Great War and "The War To End All
Wars," was a global military conflict which took place primarily in Europe between
1914 and 1918. The Allied Powers, led by France, Imperial Russia,
Britain, and, from 1917 on, the United States, defeated the Central
Powers, led by the Austro-Hungarian, German, Ottoman, and Bulgarian
Empires. Italy joined the Allies in 1915, and Imperial Russia
withdrew in 1917. The war 1 created 33 strategic concepts, to create
strategic management approach during the post war period. The most
significant are –
1) The Polarity Strategy. Declare War on Your Enemies : To
fight you must know and identify your opponents. This includes
primarily define, test and maintain your focus. (Moral – Be
alert on competition. Identify their products, strength and
weaknesses. If necessary, buy their products, test and compare with
your product quality and performance).
2)
The Counterbalance
Strategy.
Amidst the Turmoil of Events, do not lose your presence of mind. (Moral
- Even if there are labour problems, competitor leadership, customer
dissatisfaction etc.. always analyse think and move towards a
recovery solution.).
3) The Death-Ground Strategy. Create a Sense of Urgency and
Desperation. Be always ready, be alert and aim to win in 1 attack (Moral
- Always be productive, avoid losses and wastes, conserve the
resources, produce the best in the first attempt itself).
4) The Command-and-Control Strategy. Avoid the snare (trap)
of groupthink. Take command and control. Do not be too authoritarian
and not too weak. (Moral – Optimise the combination of
centralised and decentralised decision methods. Implement the
decision model at the right location and at the right time).
5) The Controlled-Chaos Strategy. Segment Your Forces. (Moral
– Divide the labour into task oriented segments. This will optimise
the group of same expertise to work and produce the best
qualitative and quantitative outputs.)
6) Transform Your War into a Crusade. Provide plenty of war
interests. Create an atmosphere of fighting for something noble — a
cause or a need. Respect your troops. (Moral – Provide plenty
of morale boosters. Award incentives for innovative and intelligent
performers. Make everybody in each task group feel a pride, in their
work achievement).
7) Grand Strategy. Lose the Battles, But win the war. This
was based on the strategy of "Alexander the Great". Analyse the
past wins and losses. Look beyond the enemy. (Moral – In a
highly competitive market, to be a volume sales leader, reduce the
profit margin, so that price comes down. But sell a large volume
assisted by the concept of demand increase due to reduced price.
Say the margin in a product is 10 per piece. Selling 1,000 pieces at
20 = 20,000 Revenue and 10,000 margin. Selling 10,000 pieces at 15 =
150,000 Revenue and 50,000 margin. Loose the margin at unit level,
but win the volume to gain more margin at total sales level).
Please see : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_33_Strategies_of_War
E) WORLD WAR – 2
Second World War, was a worldwide military conflict which lasted
from 1939 to 1945. World War II was the amalgamation of two
conflicts, one starting in Asia as the Second
Sino-Japanese War, and the other beginning in Europe with the
Invasion of Poland. This global conflict split a majority of the
world's nations into two opposing camps: the Allies (the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics, the United States of America, and the
United Kingdom) and the Axis (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and
Imperial Japan were part of this military alliance).
In 1939, the British crystallographer and science historian John
Desmond Bernal wrote : "Science and warfare have always been most
closely linked; in fact, except for a certain portion of the
nineteenth century, it may be fairly claimed that the majority of
significant technical and scientific advances owe their origin
directly to military or naval requirements". World war 2 strategies
enunciated with mathematical tools, are the directive guide for many
“Strategic management” concepts of today.
The mathematical war strategies were converted for peace time
management and productivity as “Operations Research (OR)
Techniques”. This creates an Objective function for optimisation or
minimisation (Profit increase or Cost reduction). Several
equations are made, with greater than or less than criteria for the
resources and their quantum availabilities. Several relationships
are made for all the constraints like, time, materials, money etc..
to achieve the objective with equal to, or greater than or less than
criteria. All these complex equations are solved using a “Simplex
method” to select the best approach, quantum resources and to avoid
all the constraints.
1) World war 2 applied different attack strategies on one
target and based on the hit or miss experience, it derived
probability numbers for win or loss. This is used in the current
day management for machining methods. (Utility – To make a
smooth centre hole in an automobile cast iron engine block, the
options available are boring, internal turning, honing, broaching or
fine grinding. Based on the past quantitative and qualitative
output volume probability for each method, as well as their cost
economics, the best operating machine and method is selected).
2)
The naval command sent a warship with certain number of
escort boats around on a war voyage. If too many boats are set
around to increase the safety of the war ship, the enemy radar
screen will find the cluster and shoot it. If too few boats are
deployed, the safety of the warship is reduced. Hence they sent
different number of boats at different battle locations and found
the optimum number of boats that will not be located by the
enemy radar as well as the warship is safe. [Utility – In a
manufacturing organization, Raw materials, Semi-finished, and
Finished sub components are stored to ensure continuous production
and supply. If too less quantum is stored, then the production will
halt, when there is a large demand. This leads to “Stock out cost”
(similar to the destruction of the war ship), due loss of customer
orders. If large quantity is stocked, it will lead to “Inventory
carrying cost”, (similar to the enemy radar detectable), by way of
loss in the interest for the blocked money, more warehouse rental to
store the large material quantum etc.. Hence an optimum stock
quantum could be worked out for each item, by setting the objects,
limitations and constraints in an OR model].
F) WELFARE FROM WARS – SWEDEN – AN EXAMPLE.
In the world history, for a country which never joined or
fought the war was Sweden. This indicates the peace loving
background of the country, the pedigree of the domestic population
in general and the politicians as well as the ruling members of
Sweden, in particular. But it is amazing to find that the War
showered the luck of economic boost and contributed to the welfare
of Sweden !!!
During and after World War I (1914-1918), Sweden remained neutral.
As a consequence, the country benefited from the world-wide demand
for Swedish steel, ball bearings, wood pulp, and matches. Post-war
prosperity provided the foundations for the social welfare policies,
characteristic of modern Sweden.
Foreign policy during 1930s was centered on Soviet and German
expansionism, which stimulated abortive efforts at Nordic defence
co-operation. Sweden followed a policy of armed neutrality during
World War II (1939-1945), and remained non-aligned. Sweden was one
of the first non-participants of World War II to join the United
Nations (in 1946). This further strengthens the traditional Swedish
philosophy of “Away from war and be in Peace and Prosperity”.
Apart from this, the country tried to stay out of alliances and
remain officially neutral during the cold war. The social democratic
party held the government for 44 years (1932-1976), they spent a
big part of the 1950s and 1960s in building Folkhemmet (The People's
Home), the Swedish welfare state.
The main reason that made this possible, was that Sweden had not
participated in World War II, and with an intact industry was able
to help re-build Europe in the decades following the war. This led
to a large economic upswing in the 50's and 60's. By 1970s the
economies of the rest of western Europe, particularly that of West
Germany, had been restored. The Swedish economy, was having a large
tax funded public sector, with an asset support.
Sweden is one of the richest countries in the world. Both the
nation and Stockholm, its capital, are considered the greenest and
most livable places on Earth (The Telegraph). The Swedes
live in an egalitarian (equality to all) society, which emphasizes
the need to provide welfare to all its citizens. In Sweden, the
income and wealth are more equally distributed than all other
nations in the world, primarily because of a large public sector
allotment and a high tax burden. In the 1990s, the people of Sweden
were admired for winning the battle against global financial
downturn. Today they are again confronting a wave of recessions—this
time greater in scope and magnitude.
Moral – Supported by their “No war & Be in Peace” philosophy, Sweden
will swim over the recession and emerge back to its economic
stability.
References –
1) Book by the author “War for Welfare” at
http://drvsrs.com/store/page1.html#11
2)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Sweden#Absolute_monarchy:_177
3) "Sweden - Grappling with Economic Upheaval" - By Abdon V.
Buena" at
http://realtruth.org/articles/090303-003-profile.html?s_kwcid=sweden%20economic|3197607197
&gclid=CKP2lsud65kCFYR_3god9neiQQ
G) BOTTOM LINE
“Necessity is the mother of invention”. In any normal
and peaceful life, the is no motivation or scope for finding
anything new. Any tense situation which need not be a war, but
could be a calamity, competition, epidemic, shortage of essential
needs etc.. force the people to invent, formulate and apply new
products or processes or methodologies. This is confined and
coined into an army word as “Strategic”.
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