EPISODE X of Panasonic with a joke on Sony
There is a joke about Sony. One day somebody in Japan came to think that most Americans should think that Sony was originally founded in the U.S. by a certain American. So, a crew of TV reporters and staff members flew to American and asked people there what nationality they think Sony Headquarters has. One jogger, a young lady, answered “American” and ran away, while smiling at and hinting to the crew that she knew it is "Japanese" just like the crew is. So, they gave up and came back to Japan to report it as was.
In Japan, Matsushita, known by its logo “Panasonic,” is regarded as a rival company to Sony.
The founder of Matsushita conglomerate was a unique person. Even while he was alive and active in business, business people called him “a god of sale and management.”
One day when Kounosuke Matsushita, who had established his first Matsushita company in 1918, was traveling by super-express train from Tokyo to Osaka where its headquarters is located, he happened to sit next to a person who said that he had come back from America recently.
The person said that he had learnt a lot in Harvard Business School. So, he went on explaining various modern economic theories to this prominent business leader.
When the Shinkansen express train arrived at Osaka, Mr. Matsushita, as a strict grader, said coolly to the proud person, “After all, what you have learnt is do it smart" and left him without offering anything.
This story was recently introduced in a booklet a research body founded by Mr. Matsushita issues periodically.
The Matsushita conglomerate has 20,000 employees in the U.S. There might be some who learnt a lot in Harvard Business School. So, this episode might be interesting to them.
The late Matsushita also founded a special institution aimed at fostering politicians. One graduate of this institute was selected by vote as new leader of the largest party in opposition in its plenary meeting consisting of all the National Diet members of the party, which was held after defeat in September 11’s election.
As Harvard Business School is not appreciated by some top executives, such an institute for fostering politicians, especially founded by a business tycoon, might not be appreciated.
But, of course, in a despotic state like former Iraq, the Soviet Union, and present China, such an institute for fostering politicians must be a must.
“YOU MUST WIN YOUR CASE WHEN YOU ARE TRIED.”