The 36 stratagems are a set of powerful Chinese aphorisms embodying the essence of the ancient Chinese art of cunning. First mentioned about 1,500 years ago, and committed to paper nearly 500 years ago, the 36 stratagems have been gaining popularity in Chinese business circles since the 1990s. Though more than 80 books have been published recently in the Far East recommending the use of the 36 stratagems in the modern business world, these books are as yet unknown in the Western countries.The 36 stratagems encourage flexibility and new ways of thinking about business issues