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In Business It's Important To Know All The Pieces On The Board

SOMEWHERE WEST OF YAKUTSK-- "This isn't the way Napoleon would run a business."

Diplomacy is important in the risky game of take-overs. It's all too easy for another player to sweep in and take your job away from you faster than a blitzkrieg on Madagascar or Congo.

With this pronouncement and a brisk wave of his hand CEO James Deft dismissed his CIO, CTO, and CFO. Who were these fools trying to kid? Were their minds scrabbled? Did these sorry folks think they had a monopoly on risk management?

"Share values," sneered James. "Due diligence. What a load of hogwash. I'll show those wimps how to manage risk."

With his left hand clutching three red dice James buzzed the secretary.

"Wilma, get me Pat Irkutsk on the phone. Tell him it's my turn to play."

A few minutes later a nervous and pale Pat was trying to smooth down James.

"Listen James," said Pat, "why don't we negotiate a non-aggression pact? I know you have a sweet deal with that black guy, but how long is that going to last? This business is all about growth and sooner or later there's going to be conflict between the two of you. You know that. Why don't we both move against him now, when we have the opportunity?"

"Too late, Pat," said James. "I need your territory to sew up Europe. I know he's got South America but Europe is bigger. Much bigger. And you're in the way."

James rolled the red dice on his desk. A six, and two fives.

"It's all about overwhelming power, Pat," said James as Pat was forced to leave the territory he had occupied since the beginning. "With enough men in the field I can afford to take a few bad rolls. You spread yourself too thin trying to move into Africa."

James sat back and contemplated the playing field. It was a vicious battle for territories as several companies vied to lock up the rights in each continent. Right now there were three players, his company, the South American juggernaut, and Pat. Pat was weak though. After losing his last territory in Europe he only had a few strongholds in Africa, and a foothold in Siam. Oh, and that one spot in North America. But there he had nowhere to go. James figured Pat would be out of business by the end of the next cycle.

As chairman of the board he had to take all the risks. Luck is important, he thought, but you also have to know how to play your cards to your advantage. James was an expert there. He had an uncanny ability to assess where to deploy his forces, not just where he wanted to move, but also to cover his vulnerable spots--like Kamchatka. James made a mental note to cover Siberia with more men to resist a possible onslaught via Alaska.

James shook his head. It's a ruthless game, he thought.

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