The path of management is filled with many challenges and obstacles, but there are certain principles that can help you achieve lasting success along the way. Kazuo Inamori's 12 action items, drawn from his experience leading Kyocera, KDDI, and JAL, are the essence of his management philosophy. They are enhanced by philosophical insights and practical examples.
12 Action Items for Successful Management
Lesson 1: Clarify the purpose and meaning of your business
Having a high purpose, a just and worthy cause, is the starting point for management. As Socrates said, "Know thyself," and companies need to be clear about their purpose, which goes beyond the pursuit of profit to the bigger picture of contributing to society. For example, Apple founder Steve Jobs was driven by a desire to "change the world."
Lesson 2: Set specific goals
Goal setting is at the core of management. It's important to share your goals with your employees to keep everyone moving in the same direction. Clear goals bring teams together and give them a sense of accomplishment. As Rockefeller said, "Success is the constant movement toward a goal."
Lesson 3: Have a strong wind at your back
An intense and persistent wind must be strong enough to be projected into the subconscious mind. This wind leads to passion and dedication, which fuels the team during difficult times. For example, Tesla's Elon Musk is constantly pursuing innovative ideas and turning his vision into reality.
Lesson 4: Be unstoppable in your endeavors
Consistent effort is the foundation of success. Socrates said, "The secret of success is to always be where you are." It's important to take small steps forward every day, which leads to long-term results.
Lesson 5: Maximize revenue and minimize expenses
Measuring what comes in and controlling what goes out is a fundamental part of business. It's not about chasing profits, it's about letting profits follow. Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, cut costs to provide better value to customers.
Lesson 6: Pricing is management
Pricing is an important role of management: it's about finding a balance that makes customers happy and the company profitable. As Michael Porter once said, "Competitive advantage begins with pricing."
Lesson 7: Management is defined by a strong will
Management requires a strong will that can cut through rocks. Napoleon said, "The strength of will changes the world." It's what drives companies to overcome challenges and continue to grow.
Lesson 8: Burning commitment
Management requires a fierce fighting spirit. It gives you the strength to see things through and not give up, even in difficult situations. Alibaba's Jack Ma's belief that "we never give up" has helped him build his company into a global enterprise.
Lesson 9: Be courageous in your work
You should never act cowardly. Courage is essential to making difficult decisions. As Nelson Mandela once said, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the overcoming of fear."
Lesson 10: Always do something creative
Constant improvement and creative research are essential elements of management. It is important to create new value through ideas. Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways to do it wrong."
Lesson 11: Do business with consideration and integrity
In business, you have opponents. You should aim to make everyone happy. Mutual consideration and integrity are the foundation for building trust. Carnegie emphasized that "consideration for others is the greatest virtue."
Lesson 12: Always be cheerful and positive
Having dreams and hopes and being honest about them is a critical component of success. Henry Ford once said, "Positive thinking makes all things possible."
These 12 action items are not just management guidelines, but philosophical wisdom for a successful life. They will help you enrich your life as well as your company.
