There is an old analogy of business management as a military strategy, with the chief executive as general, his brigadiers and colonels drawn from the ranks of financial controllers and business development managers. His footsoldiers and cavalrymen are the fee earners, sales executives or shop-floor workers of his business and the battalions of administrative and support staff provide his rearguard.
Many great victories have been won on the battlefield by attacking the opposing force on two fronts – and here, too, the analogy works for business. Considerable competitive advantage can be gained by controlling costs on one flank while improving productivity on the other.
