The Art of War by Sun Tzu

I Laying plans contd...

20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

Notes by Zephyrist:

This one is another simple one, draw the enemy out by looking disorganised and weak, then kill them.

So imagine a battlefield, make it look like your army doesn't know what it is doing and the enemy will probe for weaknesses. When they commit their forces suddenly your army comes together and slices them to shreds.

For a business example think of two organisations competing for a tender. Spread information and make it look like your tender is going to be weak. Perhaps by leaking parts of your supposed tender. Then at the last minute bring out the actual tender and submit with maximum secrecy. This will mean that the other company may not have been as competitive knowing that you were no competition cutting costs and benefits to make their tender more profitable. Hopefully you have now submitted the better tender and through appearing to be disorganised have crushed the enemy.