Life is a continuing process of rediscovery - of what someone knew before, but which has been lost in the evolution of societies, civilisations and languages. What was previously clear to those at the time has become difficult to decipher and relate to todays challenges.

It took us ten years to make a 'rediscovery'. Whilst all the knowledge we were passing to our clients together with the skills we passes on had a huge effect on their self-confidence, knowledge and skills, they achieved widely varying results from the same knowledge and skills.

What we observed was that those who went on to use the knowledge and skills most effectively were often applying, albeit unknowingly, elements of a process of strategy that had been around for over 2,500 years.

What was often tripping people up was not knowing how to deal with the unexpected.

They would plan for what they thought would happen and - then mostly - it didn't. Something else, completely unexpected happened. The economic recession following the banking debacle in 2008 being a huge example.

Todays conventional wisdom still expects us to plan whilst all around us events collide in an unpredictable and chaotic environment - and this is the environment in which we have to operate - we have little choice.

Plans are fine for controlled environments where you can either base the future to a large extent on the past or on very predictable future events, such as a factory production line or food preparation in a restaurant.

Unfortunately, a whole lot is going to happen that we never expected.

Classical Strategy isn't planning, it is the missing ability that makes plans more likely to work. Whilst planning is one of the tools in your skills toolbox, the ability to apply classical strategy is the third leg that will make the stool of your life and business stable.

So, what we are saying is this;

• Knowledge in itself does not produce practical results.

• Knowledge acted upon can develop skills which, when practiced, do produce results.

  However, skills applied without a structured focus will produce haphazard results.

• Classical Strategy provides the framework and processes within which skills can be used to greater effect in unpredictable environments.

Whilst nothing can guarantee that what you predict will happen, classical strategy provides a system which, applied consistently, greatly increases your ability to improve your position - over time.

Classical strategy provides a framework within which information, analysed in a unique way, gives you a far clearer understanding of your current and potential future positions. This allows you to select the best stepping stones of future opportunities.

Couple this with a series of formulas that describe clearly how to deal with situations as you find them and you have a system that will more effectively guide your progress amidst the chaos of daily life.

Whilst many attempts to advance do fail, classical strategy provides the basis to improve your 'success rate' over time.

Classical strategy is not a replacement for the knowledge and skills we need to do our job. It is not some magical secret 'created' by a modern guru.

We should learn as many of the techniques, theories, practices and secrets that we can find, whether this is through conventional educational qualifications, additional learning, getting input and advice from others, or just plain experience.