There’s nothing funny about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Mass destruction of property. Death. Ukrainians fleeing their homes. It truly is a tragedy.

Still, from the horrors or war comes the occasional VERY funny video.

The last few I saw last night on YouTube and highlighted some of the rather unusual tactics being deployed by Ukraine.

First, there were the farmers stealing Russian tanks and personnel carriers. Apparently, Russia is having significant problems keeping their troops supplied, particularly with essential items like fuel. This has meant that advancing Russian forces have had to make a choice: either let their comrades advance without them, or abandon equipment that has run out of fuel and march along with the rest of the column. When that happens, Ukrainian farmers swoop in with their large agricultural tractors, hook up the abandoned equipment with chains and cables, and haul them away. Once they’re safely out of reach of the Russians, the refuel the equipment, get them running and turn them over to the Ukrainian military.

Another video showed a young woman watching a Ukrainian YouTube video that instructed her how to drive a Russian BTR-80, the armored transport vehicle used to move Russian troops. When Russian troops leave the armored personnel carrier (APC) to conduct operations it stays empty behind them. Civilians then mill about and one of them jumps in the transporter, fires it up and steals it. It’s like a real-live Grand Theft Auto.

Guerilla tactics are nothing new and they explicitly show how a small, nimble force can slowly, methodically pick apart a much larger, much better equipped “superior force”.
These tactics are a great lesson for small business owners and entrepreneurs faced with a much larger, much better equipped “superior force” like Amazon.

Sure, Big Box or online stores have a lot going for them. However, let’s say you have an important meeting and realized your dog had been chewing on your brown leather shoes. Can you easily get and try on a pair of shoes from Amazon? Nope. Advantage: Small Biz. What about a specific selection of furniture? Can you special order a certain table from Wal-Mart. Nope. Advantage: Small Biz. What about deciding whether a certain hardwood floor will look good in your dining room renovation. Will the associate and Home Depot come to your house and help you figure it out? Surely not. Advantage: Small Biz.

The reality is, large businesses, like the Russian military, have weaknesses that can be exploited. It’s up to you to find them, and use them.

If you need another set of eyes to find the weaknesses that need exploiting, we are here to help.