War vs Management

Aticle By
Valliammai

War vs Management

It all begins with an idea

Formation of the Tamil movement LTTE against the Sinhalese in 1972 to vindicate Tamil rights.



The similarity in business is that the formation of an idea and an action plan to start a business based on the availability of natural resources, existing/upcoming opportunities for the product, market extension, export/retail ideas, etc.



Picking up the right choice

Choice of Vellupillai Prabhakaran, SP.Tamilselvan and Anton Balasingam as the leaders of LTTE.



The similarity in business is that choice of product on the basis of product line, packaging, branding, warranties, after sales service and choice of process on the basis of methods and technology available.



Getting the resources right

Creation of a military wing and a political wing by the LTTE before starting the war.



The lesson for business is that get the resources (finance, men, material, machinery, location,etc) right before starting a business.



Getting well established

Getting the LTTE well established with a judiciary branch, a police force, departments dealing with health & educational issues, department for human rights,etc.



The similarity in business is that getting the uit registered, getting regulatory and taxation clearnces, product specific clearance and quality certification as you start the business.



Getting on with expansion

Emergence of 12 cadres with just twenty short guns (1983) to 11000 cadres, aircrafts, tanks, submarines, missiles(2006).



The implication for business is that increase the resources such as production, distribution, asset & capital investment, etc as the business gets expanded.



Strong intelligence gathering

Due to strong intelligence gathering, the SriLankan Airforce made a aerial attack on LTTE which killed it’s leader SP.Tamilselvan.



The lesson for business is that by strong intelligence gathering, attack the key strenghts say product, price, distribution network, etc of the competitors.



Getting the required support

Whilst the war on LTTE, the Srilankan President managed the key stake holders such as India, China, Japan to gain their support.



The implication for business is that, manage the key stake holders such as shareholders, suppliers, dealers, etc of the business during crisis situation to gain their support.



Perseverance till the end

The final battle between LTTE and Srilankan troops was on ‘Villamulvaikal’ which killed LTTE’s top leaders including Prabhakaran.



The lesson for business is that once you have started business, stand behind it till the end to reach the business goals.



Overcoming problems

Tamil refugees have learned to survive under stressful conditions. When displaced to a refugee camp, they were systematic in getting themselves organized. They immediately find a corner, hang up screens with sarees and start arranging their belongings for an indefinite stay.



The implication for business is that the person running the business must be able to survive stressful conditions such as recession, new competition, supplier problems, shifts in consumer demand, etc.



Requisities for standing united

Giving physical, psychological, educational and financial support are the requisities for the Tamil refugees to break down their prejudice and to make them stand together with Sinhalese communities to have a united Srilanka.



The implication for business is that, creating synergy among the team members to encourage a harmonious working inorder to achieve the common business goals.



Conclusion

Thus, there are many lessons for the corporate o learn from the war.