We all saw the significant impact of the global IT outage caused by a recent software update recently. The disruption is a stark reminder of the importance of robust contingency planning and preparedness. Interestingly, in 2020, Forbes Books bestselling author Arjan Singh along with a colleague David Jacobson conducted a war game scenario that closely mirrors this situation in one of their student war games at the SMU COX School of Business (where Singh is Adjunct Professor, Marketing & Global Strategy Consulting) with students from IPADE Business School participating. In the battle of the cloud, they had students respond to a cyber-attack that took out most online services globally. It's moments like these that highlight the value of proactive stress testing strategies and the need for war gaming worst-case scenarios so that your company prepares for the worst. The bottom-line is that everyone should stay resilient.

 

 

Arjan Singh’s “Competitive Success: Building Winning Strategies with Corporate War Games” serves as a vital guide for businesses that are aiming to enhance their strategic planning and drive substantial financial success.

With over 25 years of experience as a business consultant, Singh presents war gaming as a transformative method for corporate decision-making that can significantly bolster a company’s financial trajectory.

In today’s dynamic business environment, anticipating and adapting to market shifts is essential. War gaming can provide a robust framework for companies to safeguard and grow their financial interests through refined strategic planning. By reimagining the traditional military strategy of war gaming for the corporate world, the book introduces a powerful tool for navigating competition and market uncertainties.

At its heart, “Competitive Success” is about leveraging strategic foresight to foster well-informed decisions that lead to wealth creation. Singh posits that engaging in war games enables businesses to predict competitive moves, customer behaviors, and market trends, thus allowing them to make strategic decisions that result in substantial financial rewards. His book delves into various facets of war gaming, including scenario planning, competitive analysis, and strategic forecasting, illustrating how these practices can lead to significant financial gains.

Arjan Singh

Unlike conventional strategic methods that focus primarily on a firm’s internal strengths and weaknesses, war gaming offers a holistic examination of the external environment. Singh underscores the importance of comprehensive assessments to develop resilient business strategies capable of navigating the complexities of modern markets. Through war gaming, businesses can consider all external factors impacting their strategies, such as customers, competitors, regulatory bodies, and supply chains. This approach reveals overlooked opportunities and helps businesses simulate various market scenarios for better preparedness.

The book uses real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate the effective application of war gaming across different industries making it easily digestible for the reader. For instance, he recounts a company’s experience using war gaming to anticipate market shifts, resulting in strategic adjustments that significantly increased their revenue and market share. These examples highlight the practical benefits of war gaming and inspire readers to approach their strategic challenges with creativity and foresight.

By applying the insights and strategies from “Competitive Success” and incorporating corporate war gaming, entrepreneurs and executives can identify potential risks and opportunities within their industries. This enables them to make informed decisions that not only protect but also enhance their financial standing, paving the way for long-term success and wealth creation.