Napoleon: A brilliant master of logistics and modern strategic planning

The fresh morning breeze is blowing across the battlefields of Europe as troops line up, ready for battle. An iconic figure looms on the distant horizon: Napoleon Bonaparte.

If you are willing and able, you can this music for this article.

Well, let’s have fun… (hope you’ve sorted out the music)

First things first – What do we know about it and what do we know wrong?

• Height: Although many people think he was short, he was actually 169 cm tall, which was the average height for France at the time.
• Coronation: in 1804, he crowned himself Emperor of France with his own hands at Notre-Dame, signalling that his power came not from God or the Pope, but from his own strength. (and really – self-made?)
• Code Napoléon: Created the French civil code (Code Napoléon), which formed the basis of modern civil law systems.
• Exile: He was exiled twice, first to the island of Elba and then to the island of St Helena, where he died in 1821.
• Water fear: He was afraid of water and reportedly could not swim, so he avoided anything to do with water.
• Rosetta Stone: discovered during his Egyptian campaign, the Rosetta Stone was later essential in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics.
• Fast career: he rose from general to Emperor of France in less than ten years.
• Love: He wrote love letters to his first wife, Joséphine, whom he loved passionately, although he later divorced her to have offspring. I might add that Joséphine’s morals were somewhat questionable, but that only makes the story more romantic.

Napoleon’s distinction lay in his strategic genius, charismatic leadership and unwavering ambition to inspire his soldiers and masterfully manipulate his political rivals. So that’s why we’re dealing with it today 🙂

Okay… But what made him the nightmare of his enemies?

It was not only his courage and leadership on the battlefield that made him great, but also his impressive logistical genius. How can the lessons of the past be applied to today’s business world? Let’s take a closer look at Napoleon’s logistical masterpieces and draw conclusions and learn from the master!

Logistical Revolution in the Grande Armée

One of the keys to the success of Napoleon’s army was the very effective organisation of the “Grande Armée”. The way the army was organised and run is still exemplary today. One of its most important innovations was to divide the army into smaller, self-mobile units that could fight and supply themselves independently. This allowed it to react quickly and flexibly to situations on the battlefield. (he did not have to be everywhere at all times – i.e. he did not have to micro-manage).

How well can we apply this strategy in today’s (very) fast-changing business environment? It would be necessary not to ride all 4 horses with one butt, wouldn’t it? (and I’m not even talking about the fact that it would be nice to relax sometimes).

A huge army needs to feed and care for tens of thousands of people every day. For Napoleon, it was not enough to win the battle, he had to ensure that his soldiers remained strong and well supplied for the battles to come. His soldiers were not only warriors, but also specialists who carried out a variety of logistical tasks. Napoleon set up a system where every soldier knew his place and what his duties were, whether it was food, weapons or medical supplies. This system ensured a continuous and smooth operation, similar to the way in which in a modern company every worker has a role in the operation, knows the purpose and has been properly trained to respond. YES! Communication, direction, vision.

The Battle of Borodino and Supply Insurance

Another interesting story of Napoleon’s logistical genius concerns the Battle of Borodino. When the Russian army retreated on their own territory, Scorched earth they destroyed all food and supplies. But Napoleon was thinking ahead: he redeployed part of his army to secure supplies while his main troops followed the Russians. This strategy ensured that he could maintain supplies for his army and keep the Russians under heavy pressure.

Although the final outcome of this battle is disputed among historians. Many believe that it sealed the fate of all of them and led to the destruction of the Grande Armée. You may win on Monday, but you will lose on Friday at the price you paid on Monday… HERE you can read more about it, very interesting!

Cash in Soldiers’ Uniform: innovative solutions

Perhaps one of Napoleon’s most interesting logistical innovations was the sewing of cash into the uniforms of his soldiers, which they could carry with them. This allowed them to quickly buy food and supplies from the local population where they marched through, thus ensuring a steady supply. This supported the continued operation of the army. So it was prepared as best it could (it’s about like when, during Covid, businesses realised that gee, maybe they should have stockpiled when they had the money; if we could jump back in time, many would have done so, I’m sure).

Logistics and Strategic Decisions in Modern Companies

Napoleon’s logistical genius and strategic thinking has many lessons for us too. Effective organisation, planning and rapid adaptation to changing circumstances are essential to running a business. Whether as a manager of a multinational corporation or a small business, Napoleon’s logistics strategies provide inspiration for what many of us are still learning, testing and, if we are clever, implementing and following through consistently.

The creation of smaller, autonomous departments within the company allows for faster reaction and flexibility. What does this mean? A situation (created situation) where one department is not 100% dependent on another. An efficient supply chain and proper management of resources ensures that the company is ready for any challenge in any situation (of course there are super-unusual situations, but we have experienced some in recent years – and how nice to have been more prepared).

I believe that a really good leader has the ability to see the future. And not predicting from the stars or the palm of his hand, but rather trying to imagine the future based on numbers, intelligent data, while keeping his eyes open. Now I would say that prism factory (if you only knew how many people I’ve promised not to use that word, but I love it…); but in the end, it doesn’t make us negative to play with the idea of what if we had no income for a month from now, does it? But really, what then? Could we pay the wages, the contributions, the suppliers? And of course we are not even talking about our private costs, because a responsible manager does not pay his own salary first 🙂 Just as a good parent does not feed himself first, but his children.

Here’s the one-man discussion

Perhaps one of Napoleon’s greatest legacies is that he showed that logistics and strategic planning are essential not only in the military, but also in the corporate world. By learning from his example, modern leaders can recognise the importance of attention to detail, effective resource management and flexibility to achieve our goals, to run a successful business and to work in harmony and well with our teams.

But how can we apply Napoleon’s strategies to our own company? What steps can we take to ensure that our company responds quickly and effectively to changing market conditions? How can we ensure that all our employees know what their role is and how they can contribute to the success of the company?

How can we win battles?

As Napoleon said:

“An army marches on its stomach.”

Here I have to mention this quote from one of my favourite films (yes, I always say “one of my favourites” but what can you do, I’m a very fanatic type)

“For it is the oats that drive the horse, not the whip…”

The same is true for companies: well-designed and managed systems ensure successful operations and sustainable growth. Is your company ready for the challenges of the future? Are we, as managers, paying enough attention to the importance of logistics and strategic planning, or are we just fighting the elements one day after another and happy to survive the battles?

The answers to these questions can determine the future of our company – and the future of our company also means the future of the many people who are part of our team – our employees, our customers, our family…

Tips

Napoleon’s logistical and strategic legacy can still inspire us today, and indeed! Men of genius are worth watching, no matter how many hundreds of years pass. By learning from their example, we can better understand how to build more efficient and resilient systems.

But how do we get started?

What skills do we need to be more skilful, more efficient and then more satisfied in our own field, in our own lives?

• Proactive planning: Napoleon was always thinking ahead, and his strategies always included alternative plans.
• Flexibility and adaptation: the small, autonomous units of Napoleon’s army were able to react quickly and effectively.
• Innovative solutions: Napoleon’s creative solutions, such as cash in soldiers’ uniforms, helped ensure supplies. This was their competitive advantage!
• Efficient resource management: well-organised and efficient resource management ensures that the company is ready to face challenges in all (i.e. most) situations. This includes optimising the supply chain and managing the workforce effectively. Of course, it’s easy to explain solutions to situations we haven’t even encountered yet, but be a prick for a few minutes 😉
• Communication and coordination: effective communication and coordination is the basis for successful logistical and strategic planning. Ensure that all staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. Ensure that all employees are fully aware of their responsibilities, why they are on the team, what we want them to do by involving them in the day-to-day processes, what we expect of them, what their HANDS are. And if you feel useful (because you know what is expected of you and you do it) you will be satisfied. He knows why he came and he knows when he has performed – he has performed well.

Let’s prepare for change and apply the principles that proved their effectiveness centuries ago. That is how we can become better leaders and, I believe, better people. If we listen to each other, if we prepare, organise and think more consciously, we will get results.

Today we experience it as an extra investment in energy, but an investment is an investment.

To say thank you, I have chosen (in my opinion) the two most beautiful Napoleon letters:

“There is not a day that goes by that I do not love you; there is not a night that goes by that I do not embrace you; I do not drink a cup of tea without cursing the ambition and glory that separate you from me, my dear soul.”

“I don’t love you. On the contrary, I hate you – you are impertinent, you are clumsy. You’re a bad bitch. ”

And that was just the beginning of the letter...

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