WHAT THE BOOK SAYS

The ancient wisdom of this 2,500 year-old text is invaluable commentary on such topics as leadership, strategy, organisation, competition and cooperation.
The ten principles for competitive success are:

Learn to fight (against the competition)
Show the way (leadership determines success)
Do it right (all competitive advantage is based on effective execution)
Know the facts (to achieve success, you must manage information)
Expect the worst (do not assume the competition will not attack)
Seize the day (the most important success factor is speed)
Burn the bridges (position yourself where there is a danger of failing)
Do it better (combine expected and unexpected tactics)
Pull together (organisation, training and communication are the foundations of success)
Keep them guessing (the best competitive strategies have no form)

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT

It is interesting to apply the teachings of an ancient war expert to business, and in a modern context.
The interpretations are clear and easily transferable to business matters
There are clear sections on planning, competitive strategy, conflict, control, positioning, flexibility and reputation.
The overall message is: "Do not engage the enemy unless it is absolutely necessary." In other words, this is as much a book about the avoidance of war.

If taken the wrong way, the whole business of comparing war with business could lead to overly macho approaches. This is not really what the book is all about.
There is a lot on using spies for information - this is clearly illegal.
The book is obsessed with the competition ("the enemy"), whereas many would argue that it is more profitable to concentrate on what you are going to do, not the opposition.