This Focused Performance Weblog is a "business management blog" containing links and commentary related primarily to organizational effectiveness with a "Theory of Constraints" perspective. TOC is noted for its applications in Project Management and Multi-Project Management (Critical Chain) and Operations Management (Drum-Buffer-Rope), as well as in Marketing, Strategic Planning and Change Management (TOC Thinking Processes). If you are on an archive page, current postings are found here.
Monday, October 14, 2002
Sumo Strategy - My favorite sport, Sumo, is a straightforward endeavor with simple rules -- stay on your feet, stay in the ring, and push your opponent down or out (with only a few additional common sense prohibitions regarding closed fists, eyes, throats and groins). Like business, simple rules; sustain a system to attract customers and deliver on your promises to them. Maybe theres some metaphors from sumo that could apply to business.
Sumo: Big guy grinding opponent out of the ring. (another example) Business: Operational excellence, marketing by reputation and momentum.
Sumo: Side-stepping -- Zigging when a zag is expected.
Business: Anticipating resistance and redefining the offer.
Sumo: Nimbleness -- coming at the opponent from the side, or even from behind
Business: Redefining the approach to the market, maybe even the market itself, selling capabilities to come at the market from an unusual direction.
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