by Siew Cheng Hoe

Created on: October 07, 2009   Last Updated: October 08, 2009

36 Business Strategems by Wang Xuanming is an interesting, informative, thought provoking and funny book. It is very rare to find a business strategy book that is funny as well.

36 Business Strategems is an application of The 36 Stratagems, a famous Chinese military classic.

The funny thing is that Wang Xuanming is a cartoonist. He uses his skills to illustrate the application of military concepts in business.

Wang Xuanming uses one page to tell the history behind the military strategy. He uses another page to explain the business applications of the military strategy. He will use two to three examples to show how businesses across the world apply the strategy.

I like the way Wang Xuanming illustrates the Beauty Trap, the 31st strategy. The Beauty Trap refers to using beautiful woman to capture the heart of the enemy, so that he will spend time with the woman and neglect the country.

Wang Xuanming says that we can expand the meaning of beauty in modern application. Wang Xuanming says, If the business person understands what beauty entails and goes about developing it, it will move consumers hearts with products of beauty. There will not be any cause for worry.

Wang Xuanming quotes the business example of Singapore Airlines. Everyone knows that Singapore Airlines recruits young and pretty ladies as cabin crew. Singapore Airlines puts in an effort to create the brand Singapore Girl. This is a successful application of The Beauty Trap.

Many passengers are willing to pay a higher price for the service of the young, lively, and beautiful cabin crew.

That reminds me of what a friend used to say. She said that many people on long-haul flight hated to see air stewardess who reminded them of their mothers. They preferred to air stewardess to remind them of their daughters.

The cartoons of the Singapore Girl are so funny. The head appears bigger than the body. I think if Singapore Airlines hires women with enormous heads, it will close down very soon.

I like the ridiculous cartoons in The 36 Business Stratagems. The business examples are easier to understand due to all the ridiculous cartoons.

The 36 Business Stratagems is an easy to read and understand book. It shows that business studies can be an interesting and entertaining process. Business studies need not take place in lecture hall with big and thick textbooks.

I highly recommend all business persons to buy a copy of 36 Business Stratagems.

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