This time, Mr. Inamori talks specifically about how to proceed with the project.
Regardless of the size, capital and resources the company has, this has always been a big question. Even large companies have rarely achieved their goals, so I have been wondering what the reason behind this was. When I read this motto in the Kyocera Philosophy, I found the relevant manual for a company to achieve its goal.
Inamori split all processes into three stages: development, analysis, and implementation.
Mr. Inamori talks about how to proceed with the new project as follows. The words in brackets are Mr. Inamori’s words.
1 Develop and imagine optimistically
“ In order to create something new, having strong commitment and desire are necessary. Then, we should believe in having infinite abilities to get the project done. However, at the planning stage, we must bring critical views by simulating various cases. Then in the implementation stage, we must have the confidence and believe that we will complete our missions. “
Mr. Inamori says that when you come up with a new idea, never tell that to your right arm if he has pessimistic views. He would definitely cool your passion down by criticizing your dream with tons of reasons why you can’t.
“ At first, I wanted to have a smart and clever guy as my secretary. But one day I realized that it’s not good. Bring the least clever guy on your side. Even though he looks easy-going and like a “yes” man, I started brainstorming with him. Such a guy usually agrees with me and helps me to develop my imagination of a new product.”
2 Critical analyses
“We should be careful about project management. Leaving everything to that “Yes” may end up creating a mess. Thus, a pessimistic and skeptic guy may best fit for the analysis phase. That skeptic analysis comes up with various worst-case scenarios. Top management, with those skeptic guys, should simulate potential troubles and issues. We should carefully analyze what kind of countermeasures may work and prepare plan B as well.
3 Implement optimistically
“Once I have identified what the problems are, I usually bring optimistic guys again to carry out the plan. Optimistic mindset is necessary for this implementation stage. After carefully analyzing worst case scenarios, those optimistic guys commit themselves to implement the plan, as ‘The die is cast ‘. Changing the person in charge over the three stages of the process is necessary for the project to be completed. “
(Even though large companies have both capital and human resources, they are unable to create ventures.) Inamori mentioned, “The reason why they can’t create successful ventures is they have only smart and critical guys and a group of smart guys is in charge from the planning to implementation. ”
There are two lessons we can learn from what Inamori mentioned:
1) Character driven approach
We can’t change people’s character. However, we usually tend to create a team as a project base. However, if we change our team organization depending on characters and personalities, staff can demonstrate their strength as much as possible. Inamori’s approach makes more sense.
2) Evaluation system
If you introduce an evaluation system in which rewards and bonuses are determined according to the success or failure of a project, the plan execution never works. This looks like the Western management style. Instead, Mr. Inamori came up with a way to maximize performance as a team by focusing on the individual’s personality: cautious, skeptic, straightforward, risk-taking, and challenging etc. Amoeba management and sharing the fundamental philosophies allow us to take this approach: changing persons in charge over different stages.
In conclusion, to succeed ventures or new projects, we should change persons in charge over the stages: optimistic planning, critical assessment, and carrying out optimistically.
Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com
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