How Marissa Mayer 'Loot a House on Fire' at Yahoo

In just one short year since joining Yahoo in July 2012, Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, has turned around a failing company into one of the re-born stars in the internet.

Today, Yahoo regains the number one position as the most visited website property in USA, overtaking giant Google. It’s mobile products are considered cool once again and its quarterly revenues and profits are increasing.

Unknown to many, what Marissa Mayer used the tactic of “Loot a House on Fire” 打铁乘热, tactic number 5 of The 36 Stratagems. She fixed the weak Yahoo’s culture, hired a bunch of highly motivated and talented product people, and went on a buying spree, acquring 21 mobile start-us in 12 months. The biggest purchase was Tumblr US$1.1 billion. What's next? Blackberry? What'sapp? Dropbox?

In fact, Sun Tzu Art of War or 孙子兵法uses many tactics of deception. Such tactics, however, must be in line with overall Tao or 道 of the company’s mission: to be a strong Product Company.

Whether Marissa and Yahoo will remain successful is still to be seen, but one things is certain: without Marissa, Yahoo would not be what it is today – a strong and thriving company.

How about you? As a leader, do you depend on your people or fire-up your people and turn them into a fighting horse like Marissa Mayer? Whether you’re leading your own organization or simply want to further your success, this rare course Leadership with Sun Tzu Art of War on 28 Nov Thursday 9 am will give you miles ahead of your competition.

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If Not You, Who Else?

I learnt this very powerful 5-word phrase from Singapore's highest ever box-office movie ever: "Ah Boys to Men II". In one scene, the recruits were about to start their 3-day field camp. Their Officer-in-Command asked them, "Before we moved out, anybody not feeling well?" All the soldiers replied loudly, "No Sir!!!" "Gentlemen", continued the Officer, "Every time the training gets tougher, one thought comes to your mind, 'Why Must I Serve National Service?' "My answer to you is, 'If Not You, Then Who Else?'" Wow! What a powerful phrase! If Not You, Who Else may mean: You are the most suitable person, and we can't find anyone better than you. This is appreciation at the highest level How can you push this responsibility to someone else? I am making a request to you specifically, please don't reject my request Can you find me another person more suitable than you? Please refer me anot...

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