How many people were aware that yesterday was Father's day? Compared to Mother's Day, it looks like fathers get short shrift from the marketing and business world. According to some news reports from department stores, popular gifts this year are drinks, snacks, beer servers, and summer clothes such as polo shirts and Jimbe-e (a kind of short, separated kimono two-piece). But I just wonder if these rather tawdry goods will really cheer up a stressed out father. It hardly seems worth the effort.
Personally, if I'm going to give a polo shirt to my father, then at least I want to make the actual experience pleasurable for him. My tactic is to take him to a museum or somewhere else where he feels it's worth going, and on the way, suggest stopping by some golf clothing stores. Like most Japanese men, he doesn't buy his own clothes and doesn't have any idea what to do, so I let the store clerks take care of him. Of course, taste-wise he doesn't listen to his family members, so I just let him take his time being fussed around by the store clerks, and let him enjoy his shopping. What makes it all worth it is the satisfaction of seeing his satisfied, smiling
face as he walks out of the store with the efforts of HIS shopping expedition!
What did you do for Father's day?
Monday, June 18, 2001
Monday, June 04, 2001
Train or Plane?
How do you prefer to travel: by airplane or Shinkansen? News is that JR East has started trying to win customers away from the airlines by serving breakfast on the Akita-Tokyo Shinkansen, from June onwards. Their problem is that it takes 4 hours by train versus 1 hour by air, to get to Tokyo. Their strategy is to pamper customers with breakfast, tea, oshibori, and slippers -- all free of charge.
Their target is business people, who take the early train to Tokyo. Over 40% of the passengers travel early in the morning. So, although you can eat breakfast in comfort, or even take a nap on the way to work, the problem is that if you have to be in the office by 9:00 a.m., then you have to leave home before 4:30 a.m.!
Personally, I would rather sleep than have a free meal. Do you think this marketing ploy will work? We'll find out in a month or two, I guess.
Their target is business people, who take the early train to Tokyo. Over 40% of the passengers travel early in the morning. So, although you can eat breakfast in comfort, or even take a nap on the way to work, the problem is that if you have to be in the office by 9:00 a.m., then you have to leave home before 4:30 a.m.!
Personally, I would rather sleep than have a free meal. Do you think this marketing ploy will work? We'll find out in a month or two, I guess.
Monday, May 28, 2001
Table for One?
Do you go out lunch by yourself or with your "lunch mates"? Recently the newspapers have been reporting that young people are unhappy to have lunch alone but are not brave enough to ask others to join them for lunch. The phenomenon even has a name: "Lunch Mate Syndrome".
Doctors say it's because of the low social ability of some people, and their being too sensitive to develop their interpersonal skills. Some high school students are even dropping out school because of this syndrome. Some OLs ("Office Ladies") even make lunch appointments several days ahead, fearing that if they simply ask just before going to lunch, that they will be rejected.
Another new syndrome is the "Idle Conversation-phobia Syndrome". This is where a person is scared of taking lunch or some other break, because they can't think of idle conversation to enjoy with their friends.
Overall, both phenomenon are due to the lack of forming proper human relationships, not having enough experience in forming bonds during their pre-school days. That's one reason why keitai e-mail is booming here, especially among young people, because it means that they don't have to face each other but instead can communicate by e-mail.
Good grief! Are we creating a nation of wimps or what? Personally, I would love to spend long breaks just gossiping...
Doctors say it's because of the low social ability of some people, and their being too sensitive to develop their interpersonal skills. Some high school students are even dropping out school because of this syndrome. Some OLs ("Office Ladies") even make lunch appointments several days ahead, fearing that if they simply ask just before going to lunch, that they will be rejected.
Another new syndrome is the "Idle Conversation-phobia Syndrome". This is where a person is scared of taking lunch or some other break, because they can't think of idle conversation to enjoy with their friends.
Overall, both phenomenon are due to the lack of forming proper human relationships, not having enough experience in forming bonds during their pre-school days. That's one reason why keitai e-mail is booming here, especially among young people, because it means that they don't have to face each other but instead can communicate by e-mail.
Good grief! Are we creating a nation of wimps or what? Personally, I would love to spend long breaks just gossiping...
Monday, May 14, 2001
Back To Work
The long Golden week holiday is over, and it's kind of hard to recall what was going on before hand at work. One of the seasonal terms these days is "Gogatsu-byo (May sickness)". It's slang for the symptoms a student has when they return to school: a sinking, helpless feeling. Since the Golden Week is so long these days, a new version of Gogatsu-byo has appeared, and is called (of course!) "Rokugatsu-byo" (June sickness). It refers to people have burned out and reach a stage of no stress and no tension after a long holiday.
I believe it's rare for LINC Media people to catch Rokugatsu-byo, because of the excitement of the job itself. But even so, if the type of person who finishes each day feeling really tired and drained, then maybe a break is in order, before you get the dreaded July sickness. Don't ask me what
the symptoms are...!
I believe it's rare for LINC Media people to catch Rokugatsu-byo, because of the excitement of the job itself. But even so, if the type of person who finishes each day feeling really tired and drained, then maybe a break is in order, before you get the dreaded July sickness. Don't ask me what
the symptoms are...!
Monday, April 23, 2001
Golden Week
Did you make a plan for the golden week holidays coming up next week? For those of you who are not going overseas, there are lots of interesting towns in Tokyo where you can hang out. The newest one is Harumi Triton in Kachidoki. It's a group of apartments, office buildings, shopping mall, restaurants and a theater -- which just opened last Saturday.
Last year, Odaiba opened and it became THE place to go on a date. Before that, Queen's Square in Yokohama was the place to be seen. QSY is located right next to the ocean, and still looks good 6
years after it opened. Then of course there is Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo Disneyland, and Universal Studios in Osaka.
The only problem? Lots and lots of people... But anyway, let's hope the weather will hold for Golden Week!
Last year, Odaiba opened and it became THE place to go on a date. Before that, Queen's Square in Yokohama was the place to be seen. QSY is located right next to the ocean, and still looks good 6
years after it opened. Then of course there is Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo Disneyland, and Universal Studios in Osaka.
The only problem? Lots and lots of people... But anyway, let's hope the weather will hold for Golden Week!
Monday, April 16, 2001
Sleeping
I commute on the bus every day, and often see freshmen off to their new offices and little kids going to kindergarten. One morning, I saw a kid doze off on the bus. Poor little tike was obviously really tired and looked like he was going to miss his stop. But somehow he woke up just in time, and got off at the right stop. Amazing. He's definitely got the Japanese habit of being able to take a nap on the ride, though he is only 5 or 6 years old!
I believe it's one of those Japanese habits, being able to fall asleep while commuting -- just like bowing your head when speaking on the phone, even though the other person can't see you. Yes, if
you live Japan too long, you too will start to fall asleep on the train....
I believe it's one of those Japanese habits, being able to fall asleep while commuting -- just like bowing your head when speaking on the phone, even though the other person can't see you. Yes, if
you live Japan too long, you too will start to fall asleep on the train....
Monday, April 09, 2001
Freshmen
Have you been seeing lots of freshmen on the streets while out and about visiting clients? I see them as being the "Springtime" of the employment cycle. It's the custom that all freshmen wear
new suits and shirts and carry a huge bag around. They really stand out, giving new meaning to the word "Fresh-men (and women).
As you may know, the number of job seekers and the jobs available are mis-matched. These days companies are looking for more skilled/experienced people, and so the employment environment for these freshmen is becoming rather severe. I wonder if these people will see the next generation like I see them... recalling our own first spring in our careers.
new suits and shirts and carry a huge bag around. They really stand out, giving new meaning to the word "Fresh-men (and women).
As you may know, the number of job seekers and the jobs available are mis-matched. These days companies are looking for more skilled/experienced people, and so the employment environment for these freshmen is becoming rather severe. I wonder if these people will see the next generation like I see them... recalling our own first spring in our careers.
Monday, April 02, 2001
Layer 8
The funding for Layer-8 Technologies (which we're nicknaming L8T to keep it short) will have closed by the time you read this newsletter. There are still some more documents for me to handle, but now L8T is on its way. Time for the team to now do its thing, and accelerate the business forward. The expectations by the investor are high, and everyone who is involved in the deal hopes that L8T will have a major part to play in the upcoming mobile market both here in Japan and overseas. Now Goro's team needs everyone's support. Please wish them the best of luck!
Monday, March 26, 2001
Sushi
Do you go to "Kaiten Zushi" often? If you want to try a new "on demand" type of sushi, you should know that a new place just opened in Osaka has customer touch screens for ordering.
The screens have fishes swimming around on them, and you press a fish to order it in your favorite Maki. The images even include short notes, such as "rich in vitamins," and "good for
stomach and head aches." Plus it also includes the biology of tuna and other species. This rather radical advance in sushi ordering has had good reactions from families with kids, who are
less likely to get bored. Although you now don't need to search through the rotating plates to find what you want to eat, you do still have to wait for the plate you ordered to show up.
In terms of human psychology, this new system reminds me of a Kaiten Zushi I went to in Chiba. There I saw a lot of sushi on the rotating belt, but they were all made of wax, not the real
thing. The cook was there, and he asked what I wanted, made the sushi, and instead of handing it out to me, put it on the belt. I remember wondering why he didn't just give me the plate as he made the dish. I guess that the anticipation of waiting for your plate to come through makes the customers hungrier. He at least was able to balance customer psychology with the cost savings of reducing uneaten plate wastage...
Which do you prefer for your sushi, a human or IT interface?
The screens have fishes swimming around on them, and you press a fish to order it in your favorite Maki. The images even include short notes, such as "rich in vitamins," and "good for
stomach and head aches." Plus it also includes the biology of tuna and other species. This rather radical advance in sushi ordering has had good reactions from families with kids, who are
less likely to get bored. Although you now don't need to search through the rotating plates to find what you want to eat, you do still have to wait for the plate you ordered to show up.
In terms of human psychology, this new system reminds me of a Kaiten Zushi I went to in Chiba. There I saw a lot of sushi on the rotating belt, but they were all made of wax, not the real
thing. The cook was there, and he asked what I wanted, made the sushi, and instead of handing it out to me, put it on the belt. I remember wondering why he didn't just give me the plate as he made the dish. I guess that the anticipation of waiting for your plate to come through makes the customers hungrier. He at least was able to balance customer psychology with the cost savings of reducing uneaten plate wastage...
Which do you prefer for your sushi, a human or IT interface?
Monday, March 05, 2001
Cash, Card, or Phone?
Do you use bus card and other pre-paid cards for transportation? Ten years ago, JR started issuing iO cards. Then Metro cards and bus cards followed. At first I thought it was pretty convenient, but I found a problem. The fact is that these days, you probably don't use your phone cards often, because most of us have a mobile. Well, there was a news item recently that mobile phone users will be able to buy credits on their cell phones, that will act like tickets/cards for your daily transportation needs. Every time you exit a ticket gate, even without showing your phone, the ticket machine will let you through and record the transaction via your cell phone -- which you can just simply leave in your bag.
As some of you might have noticed, Japanese are not used to using credit cards, but instead tend to overdepend on cash. Debit cards certainly haven't worked well here, and the preference for chash may be one of the reasons. Maybe the banks should try to add debit card functions to mobile phones, so the consumer doesn't have to carry around so many cards...
As some of you might have noticed, Japanese are not used to using credit cards, but instead tend to overdepend on cash. Debit cards certainly haven't worked well here, and the preference for chash may be one of the reasons. Maybe the banks should try to add debit card functions to mobile phones, so the consumer doesn't have to carry around so many cards...
Monday, February 26, 2001
Neighborhood
On the weekend, I took a walk around Azabu Juban. It's about 15-20 min walk from my home and I enjoyed it because there are lots of small stores with "natsukashii" stuff from the old days. It's been a long time since I was there last, and I was surprised that the street was filled with lots of tourists. It looks like they come down on the Ooedo line. Even the bread store I often go to was filled with people, and I gave up trying to buy bread. Everywhere I went was crowded,
and I ended up buying nothing. It must be good for the stores there that they have more customers coming, but my feeling is complicated: the town I used to know is changing. The new Mori building in Roppongi will bring even more people in future too.
I think everyone has their favorite town, and somehow you call it your own. I know it's selfish, but somehow I wish my space would just stay the same as it always was. I guess it's time to make an expedition to a new area -- and become one of those tourists I've been complaining about.
and I ended up buying nothing. It must be good for the stores there that they have more customers coming, but my feeling is complicated: the town I used to know is changing. The new Mori building in Roppongi will bring even more people in future too.
I think everyone has their favorite town, and somehow you call it your own. I know it's selfish, but somehow I wish my space would just stay the same as it always was. I guess it's time to make an expedition to a new area -- and become one of those tourists I've been complaining about.
Monday, February 12, 2001
Bus
The other day, I took a bus home from Shibuya, and the bus stopped because the engine overheated. Luckily another bus soom came to pick us up, so the passengers didn't have to
wait in the cold weather too long. I don't remember the last time I was in a bus in Japan that actually broke down. So it was a kind of unique experience and in a strange way a little bit enjoyable...
I remember that I loved taking the very front seat of the bus when I was in elementary school. I guess I wanted to feel like I was driving the bus. Somehow, I started choosing the seat in the very back of bus in high school. You can see that the other kids and students have the same
tendency if you're on the bus.
Some people don't like taking the bus because it's never on time and some drivers speed and drive like crazy, but I like it because I can check out different views of the city which I can't see from the train. With only JPY200, you can go almost anywhere in Tokyo by Toei Bus. Time for a bus trip?
wait in the cold weather too long. I don't remember the last time I was in a bus in Japan that actually broke down. So it was a kind of unique experience and in a strange way a little bit enjoyable...
I remember that I loved taking the very front seat of the bus when I was in elementary school. I guess I wanted to feel like I was driving the bus. Somehow, I started choosing the seat in the very back of bus in high school. You can see that the other kids and students have the same
tendency if you're on the bus.
Some people don't like taking the bus because it's never on time and some drivers speed and drive like crazy, but I like it because I can check out different views of the city which I can't see from the train. With only JPY200, you can go almost anywhere in Tokyo by Toei Bus. Time for a bus trip?
Monday, February 05, 2001
Brand
I heard the news that Converse filed for Chapter 11 protection, meaning that effectively they went bankrupt.
I remember when I was in 5th and 6th grade at school, we all joined the basketball team as part of our school activities. Everyone wanted Converse basketball shoes. But as time went by, I stopped wearing my Converse shoes and never really bought any more. Even though the brand recognition of Converse is still pretty strong, maybe we're entering an era where just brand image can't drive a business anymore. In which case, operators with strong corporate and brand management experience, like RVMC, will start moving in even more aggressively and buying up yesteryear's famous companies...
I remember when I was in 5th and 6th grade at school, we all joined the basketball team as part of our school activities. Everyone wanted Converse basketball shoes. But as time went by, I stopped wearing my Converse shoes and never really bought any more. Even though the brand recognition of Converse is still pretty strong, maybe we're entering an era where just brand image can't drive a business anymore. In which case, operators with strong corporate and brand management experience, like RVMC, will start moving in even more aggressively and buying up yesteryear's famous companies...
Monday, January 22, 2001
Real Work
We had a group of students from France in the office other day. It was part of their MBA course to come visit real companies in Japan. They went to some big Japanese outfits such as NTT Docomo, but commented that they liked visiting us best, because they could ask lots of questions to "real" people doing "real" work. The other companies tended to show off their beautiful office space, expressing how great they are. On the other hand, our office has used office furniture's almost everywhere since cost-effectiveness is key to making profits. The students were excited about how we run our own servers and make websites, programs, magazines -- in fact, we do pretty much everything by ourselves.
They are so young, and don't know what kind of challenges they'll face in future, but I hope that we could stimulate their interest in being entrepreneurs in the future.
They are so young, and don't know what kind of challenges they'll face in future, but I hope that we could stimulate their interest in being entrepreneurs in the future.
Monday, January 15, 2001
Incorporation
As you might can see/hear I "scream" quite often these days. Yes, I'm working on yet another company incorporation: Layer-8. This time the process is much easier than last time with daijob.com, because now I know how it works. Time flies. The anniversary of daijob.com's
incorporation is just around the corner, on Jan 21st. I won't forget the days and nights we spent on the daijob incorporation/funding last year.... Now that DJ is doing so well, and I can happily let them leave the nest soon.
I'm thinking now how to get others to help me work on this stuff, particularly how to set up new companies. Of course, we could just use a consulting or law firm to take care of all the procedures, but the thing is that once the job is done they leave you. So later on if you need to know why certain decisions were made or how the company was described in the articles of incorporation, you have no knowledge within the company. In other words, you lose the flexibility to change the corporate documents as the company itself changes. So, we're going to keep doing the establishments in-house.
But the fact remains that I do need help, so my New Year's resolution is to pass my know-how to other people inside LINC Media.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
incorporation is just around the corner, on Jan 21st. I won't forget the days and nights we spent on the daijob incorporation/funding last year.... Now that DJ is doing so well, and I can happily let them leave the nest soon.
I'm thinking now how to get others to help me work on this stuff, particularly how to set up new companies. Of course, we could just use a consulting or law firm to take care of all the procedures, but the thing is that once the job is done they leave you. So later on if you need to know why certain decisions were made or how the company was described in the articles of incorporation, you have no knowledge within the company. In other words, you lose the flexibility to change the corporate documents as the company itself changes. So, we're going to keep doing the establishments in-house.
But the fact remains that I do need help, so my New Year's resolution is to pass my know-how to other people inside LINC Media.
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
Monday, December 18, 2000
Robots
It's said that the people are seeking better forms of relaxation and relief from the stress of working. The engineering department of Ibaraki University made some firefly robots. They even tested the robots effects on the public and the result was that people did indeed relax. Actually, many of them were surprised when they were told that the fireflies were not real.
The boom of aibo and the other pet robots is probably because people are looking for alternatives to their current life style. Particularly, they're looking for easy-to-be-around pets, but without the inconvenience in their small apartments of having to feed and take care of them.
I'm still scared of robots because they're not natural. Think about it: 20 years ago, robots couldn't walk by themselves, and now Honda has one that even walks naturally. Maybe we'll be able to
make an Astro Boy in the 21st century....?!
The boom of aibo and the other pet robots is probably because people are looking for alternatives to their current life style. Particularly, they're looking for easy-to-be-around pets, but without the inconvenience in their small apartments of having to feed and take care of them.
I'm still scared of robots because they're not natural. Think about it: 20 years ago, robots couldn't walk by themselves, and now Honda has one that even walks naturally. Maybe we'll be able to
make an Astro Boy in the 21st century....?!
Tuesday, December 12, 2000
Pearls
I had a chance to go to a small pearl trading company to help one of my friends do some Christmas shopping. It's run by a foreigner who's been here for about 38 years, and they offer
pearls with pretty much your own design for a very reasonable price. The owner told us a story while we were waiting for my friend's pearls to be set.
Apparently, one day, a 15 year old kid came to the store, looking for a present for his girlfriend. He could afford only 10,000 yen which was a little short for what he could get at the store. Of course he was hesitating, but the owner was a real smooth talker and said to the kid, "You know, sonny, of course you could buy her nice clothes, bags, or books... but you're not going to win her with something so common. If she wants a real pearl, how badly do you want her?"
Of course the kid bought the pearl (with help from his mom), and the shop owner successfully made another sale. I had to smile at the story, when it comes to women getting their way, men are so easy to mind control -- even if by another man!
pearls with pretty much your own design for a very reasonable price. The owner told us a story while we were waiting for my friend's pearls to be set.
Apparently, one day, a 15 year old kid came to the store, looking for a present for his girlfriend. He could afford only 10,000 yen which was a little short for what he could get at the store. Of course he was hesitating, but the owner was a real smooth talker and said to the kid, "You know, sonny, of course you could buy her nice clothes, bags, or books... but you're not going to win her with something so common. If she wants a real pearl, how badly do you want her?"
Of course the kid bought the pearl (with help from his mom), and the shop owner successfully made another sale. I had to smile at the story, when it comes to women getting their way, men are so easy to mind control -- even if by another man!
Saturday, December 02, 2000
Old Friends
I went to the wedding of one of my old friends from kindergarten last weekend, and found it very interesting. I'm happy that she found someone good for her, and can share their lives together. But at the same time, I had this haunting feeling that I didn't belong to their culture anymore.
The ceremony was a typical Japanese one. She married a man whom she met at the office, which is the Tokyo Waterworks Department. They're both government employees, and of course, there were many people from their office. Both their bosses gave long, dry Japanese speeches (you know what I mean...), started karaoke, etc. All the guests looked like they were enjoying themselves with the conversation, food, and drink. Of course the older Japanese guys forced everyone to drink beer even though the person didn't or couldn't do so.
Many of my old friends were there, and I enjoyed meeting and talking with them a lot, but I also felt like a stranger. Half of the girls are married, and what they talk about is having babies, neighbors' gossip, etc. It's kind of difficult to enjoy this kind of conversation unless you live in the
neighborhood and share a lot of time together -- which I don't because I work.
Do you have ever had the experience of awkwardness when meeting a close friend after a long time and finding you have nothing in common?
The ceremony was a typical Japanese one. She married a man whom she met at the office, which is the Tokyo Waterworks Department. They're both government employees, and of course, there were many people from their office. Both their bosses gave long, dry Japanese speeches (you know what I mean...), started karaoke, etc. All the guests looked like they were enjoying themselves with the conversation, food, and drink. Of course the older Japanese guys forced everyone to drink beer even though the person didn't or couldn't do so.
Many of my old friends were there, and I enjoyed meeting and talking with them a lot, but I also felt like a stranger. Half of the girls are married, and what they talk about is having babies, neighbors' gossip, etc. It's kind of difficult to enjoy this kind of conversation unless you live in the
neighborhood and share a lot of time together -- which I don't because I work.
Do you have ever had the experience of awkwardness when meeting a close friend after a long time and finding you have nothing in common?
Monday, November 27, 2000
Shogi
Do you play Shogi/Japanese chess? Nov. 17 is Shogi day, which hails back to the annual Shogi competition held by the Shoguns from Edo era.
The origin of Shogi is "Chaturanga" in India around BC200 - BC300. Chaturanga passed to the West as Chess. It also spread East, the you can see many similar games in Asia: Shatranj in Arabia, Makrook in Thailand, Karton in Vietnam, Tjyangi in Korea, Xiangqi in China,
etc.
The original game "Chaturanga" is a game for 4 people with 8 x 8 grid chess board, and it has 4 different forces, infantry, cavalry, tank, and elephant troops. It reflects the battle scenes around that time where many small nations fought with elephant troops. Likewise, Shogi has its characteristics influenced by the Japanese way of war. You can use the opponents pieces after you capture them. It might reflect that they use to accept captives as their slaves.
We use a 9 x 9 grid chess board for Shogi now, but there use to be more variety in size and rules: 12 x 12, 15 x 15, 17 x 17, 19 x 19, and 25 x 25!
As chess is a game of strategy, I guess that being in LINC for some of our staff is like playing 4 to 5 games of chess at the same time....
The origin of Shogi is "Chaturanga" in India around BC200 - BC300. Chaturanga passed to the West as Chess. It also spread East, the you can see many similar games in Asia: Shatranj in Arabia, Makrook in Thailand, Karton in Vietnam, Tjyangi in Korea, Xiangqi in China,
etc.
The original game "Chaturanga" is a game for 4 people with 8 x 8 grid chess board, and it has 4 different forces, infantry, cavalry, tank, and elephant troops. It reflects the battle scenes around that time where many small nations fought with elephant troops. Likewise, Shogi has its characteristics influenced by the Japanese way of war. You can use the opponents pieces after you capture them. It might reflect that they use to accept captives as their slaves.
We use a 9 x 9 grid chess board for Shogi now, but there use to be more variety in size and rules: 12 x 12, 15 x 15, 17 x 17, 19 x 19, and 25 x 25!
As chess is a game of strategy, I guess that being in LINC for some of our staff is like playing 4 to 5 games of chess at the same time....
Monday, November 13, 2000
7-11
I watched a documentary of Seven Eleven Japan on TV the other day. It was very interesting how they grew their business to not only become the top convenience store, but also the top retailer.
The story goes like this: 2 employees from Yokado went to the US to purchase the brandname license for Seven Eleven, and over 100 folders of manuals. Since 7-11 US didn't plan to enter the Japanese market at all, they instead suggested a very expensive royalty. Although they staked their fate on this deal, Yokado, their employer, wasn't happy about it at all and became negative about the whole project. So, in the end the company decided to finance only 50% of the capital for the 7-11 Japan project. Those 2 employees left Yokado, dumped their savings into the new business, took out mortgages on their houses, and approached the banks to loan money. For two years, they worked more than 16 hours a day.
They started the business with the whole world against them. The concept of "convenience store" was very new in 70's, and there were a lot of resellers at that time. The two ventures looked very hard on how to cut into the market. One of their disadvantages is that they were all amateurs, but it turned out to be a blessing in discuss; although they were not experts for
logistics, wholesale, and retail, they were however flexible enough to change the old systems. Of course the wholesalers were not co-operative to those amateurs.
They checked inventory everyday by hand since they didn't have POS at that time; negotiated with the wholesaler to stock sufficient goods, not the minimum order of dozen; etc. What 7-11 has now, looks very simple to me, but no one ever tried to change this system before them. By this very painstaking process, they made their own manual, and which will 7-11 US in future to
restructure their business.
These 2 ex-employees are now Chairman and the President of the 7-11 Japan and they still run their business.
With passion, faith and the hard work, they achieved their today's status, and it's even taken as a reference to the Harvard University MBA class as a successful business next to the Kanban from Toyota. There are a lot of things we can learn from the pioneers but basic denominator looks that they can tell what is the common sense and what is not, and how to implement it to their business with enthusiasm. Does it give you a tip to your business?
The story goes like this: 2 employees from Yokado went to the US to purchase the brandname license for Seven Eleven, and over 100 folders of manuals. Since 7-11 US didn't plan to enter the Japanese market at all, they instead suggested a very expensive royalty. Although they staked their fate on this deal, Yokado, their employer, wasn't happy about it at all and became negative about the whole project. So, in the end the company decided to finance only 50% of the capital for the 7-11 Japan project. Those 2 employees left Yokado, dumped their savings into the new business, took out mortgages on their houses, and approached the banks to loan money. For two years, they worked more than 16 hours a day.
They started the business with the whole world against them. The concept of "convenience store" was very new in 70's, and there were a lot of resellers at that time. The two ventures looked very hard on how to cut into the market. One of their disadvantages is that they were all amateurs, but it turned out to be a blessing in discuss; although they were not experts for
logistics, wholesale, and retail, they were however flexible enough to change the old systems. Of course the wholesalers were not co-operative to those amateurs.
They checked inventory everyday by hand since they didn't have POS at that time; negotiated with the wholesaler to stock sufficient goods, not the minimum order of dozen; etc. What 7-11 has now, looks very simple to me, but no one ever tried to change this system before them. By this very painstaking process, they made their own manual, and which will 7-11 US in future to
restructure their business.
These 2 ex-employees are now Chairman and the President of the 7-11 Japan and they still run their business.
With passion, faith and the hard work, they achieved their today's status, and it's even taken as a reference to the Harvard University MBA class as a successful business next to the Kanban from Toyota. There are a lot of things we can learn from the pioneers but basic denominator looks that they can tell what is the common sense and what is not, and how to implement it to their business with enthusiasm. Does it give you a tip to your business?
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