The most important thing to win any battle is knowing how to properly assess the situation -- your strength and capability, the strength and capability of your enemy and the environment of the battle field. With this knowledge, guerillas gauge whether they could win a battle or not. Given their limited resources, they cannot afford to loose valuable resources by engaging in difficult battles. They must look for weaknesses in their enemy's defenses and start their attack from there. Otherwise, they must retreat and wait for another opportunity to arrive. This is the first rule of Guerilla Warfare: Look for Battles you can win.
A small company with small resources could not compete in a market dominated by large players. A seed in the forest will only grow if it is able to find its place in the sun. Filipino SMEs must choose their battles carefully. It is not enough to find a market opportunity. They must gauge their capabilities and plan their strategy is such a way that it is possible for them to win. It doesn't even have to be a big victory. Many small victories also counts. If they can’t be sure of winning, they have to look for other battles. Exploit other weaknesses. Wait for the right opportunity.
Can a Jeepney win against a Ferrari?
Of course not. The jeepney is just a decorated version of the World War II Jeep used by the American soldiers. However, the Ferrari is known to be designed by one of the best team of car designers in Europe using cutting-edge automotive technology. It can easily go from 0 to 200 kph in approximately 10 seconds while the jeepney has a top speed of less than 120 kph. It is a hands down winner.
That is if it is a straight race in a well-paved road. However, if it is a race from Baguio to Sagada along rough and muddy mountain roads. The jeepney might win. The ferrari might not even be able to finish the race.
This is anecdote between the jeepney and the ferrari illustrates what Filipino SMEs should do in order to compete with bigger multinational companies. They just have to "select battles they could win."
About Me
- Pilosopong Rodec
- Robert dela Cruz is a Physicist turned Engineer turned Entrepreneur. A small Filipino company working alone will find it very difficult to attain success in the global economy. If his company is to succeed, it must be part of a group Filipino companies working together with government and academe towards achieving higher standards of quality and profitability. This is his idea of a Technopreneurial Revolution in the Philippines.
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