The 5 Factors

Using a set of five criteria to compare and contrast the relative strength of both sides, one can usually assess the real situation and predict the cosquence. The first is called Dao, the second is climate, the third is terrain, the fourth is leadership and the fifth is institutional structure. (Sun Tzu)

The five factors, which effectively determine the outcome of war, are the moral rectitude (dao), the climate conditions, topography, leadership of the general and the organisational structure.

The climate conditions are an important factor. Optus intends to provide a 3G ( third generation) mobile phone network by the end of 2002. Is this a viable proposition? The tecnology is there but not yet fully matured. Is there a viable market?

Telstra intends to join the fray in 2004. The right timing is the name of the game in any successful enterprise.

The failure of so many dot-com enterprises could be blamed on the poortiming. Shopping on the net is supposed to be big, even bigger than "Ben Hur". The on-line shoping market remains pitiful as ever and is unlikely to become real or substantial in the near future.

Any new business model whose success depends on a radical change in human behavior is gong to be very risky indeed. In my experience as a medical practitioner, admonishing patients to turn over a new leaf and embark on a new and healthy life-style is one of the most difficult tasks indeed. (DR H H Tan)