Vanishing enemy

Every time I listen to the news these I am amazed at the similarity between guerrilla wars (particularly the from the fundamentalist organizations) and the private label consumer product labels war games. A few years ago I had the opportunity to dig through some old data before and around the second big war. The issues of brand wars were similar then as they are now. The lions always have to keep up with the nimble young gazelles; of course the modern gazelles have sharp teeth and paws of the lion, and a large number competing for the same opportunities. What makes it particularly difficult is the modern day relationship the lions have with the gazelles, acting as customers and competitors at the same time.

There are obviously three obvious courses most organizations take to deal with the challenges, driven by their equity, their relationships and lastly their strengths. Going after the gazelles versus other lions; Ignoring the gazelles and concentrating on other lions that feast on their opportunities; or Going after other lions while keeping an eye on the gazelles in case there arises an opportunity to pounce and feast on them. All of this does not seem much different from global politicking.

Obviously the gazelle does not make for much of a feast when you are a large lion unless you can round up an entire herd, but that would be pretty tough given their agility and deceptive roles. It certainly makes best sense to drive other lions to enable proliferation of the other opportunities in the view, as long as the lions have enough cubs to go after the gazelles and limit their activity to specific regions. The cubs can keep the Gazelles busy from sharpening and penetrating their teeth into any of the lions. Much like what Queen Maria Theresa did during her reign as the queen mother of Austria.