Alex, the CEO of a food processing company Alex-Taste Co.,Ltd. Billy, the excellent employee who has been working since the start-up asks Alex to leave the company due to the scandal: Alex-Taste unintentionally included an ingredient which was known as noncompliance processing. Alex-taste apologized customers, but Billy got an job offer from the dominating company in the industry. Mr. Inamori gave his advice to Alex over how to convince Billy to stay Alex-Taste.

The suggested procedure is as follows:

Q: How can we start with the step No 1?

A: Mr. Inamori encouraged Alex to speak ” Our company had to recall the product. It was a considerable amount of damage economically, but I believe that the damage can be recovered over the next couple of years as I am committed myself to realize that recovered figures. You can trust my enthusiasm. So, let’s all work together to do that, I need your help and I do hope I can expect your support.” I think the president should speak to all employees  like that.

Q: But the Alex-Taste is making loss, the competitor’s offer is attractive, how come Billy wants to stay with Alex?

B: Mr. Inamori said Alex should tell Billy the natural rules, Carma theory under the Buddhism.

Q: What is that?   

A: Reminding Billy of “Loyalty”. Mr. Inamori demonsrated;

” You and I struggled together, and you now become a great top sales person. I expect you a lot. Can you please stay with us now and work with us to make our company even better. I’m counting on you, I’m looking forward to your future. Can you please do your best here?”

Even though Billy looks highly attracted by the competitor, nothing can stop him.

Q: So does Alex have to give up retaining Billy?

A: Lifetime Carma theory works, Mr. Inamori said.

“In this case, we have to think about his future, career and life fulfillment. Alex, you can tell Billy as follows;

“It’s ok. If you think so, go ahead. This is not a sort of “sour grape” proverb but simply well thinking of your life and fulfilment. Now our company looks a ship which is drifting in a storm. The company is the one for which you may feel some loyalty as you got skills and experiences. But turning down your loyalty and getting out of the ship for you to survive may cause unpleasant outcome to you. Sooner or later, you should pay for what you did.  Such a person cannot be either successful or fulfilled. It is obvious in our world. It is already very very clear. So maybe you’re thinking of moving to a better company, they treat you nicely for a while, but you would have another hard time there for sure. That’s clear.”

Q: Does this speech work to change Billy’s mind?

A: Mr. Inamori added further comments. “Your words never include grudge. Use the reference, for instance I, you may say -Mr. Inamori encouraged me to tell Billy: Oh, poor Billy, I can’t expect him to either success or get fulfilled. No satisfaction he may have. I can clearly see his failure. So Alex, no matter what you sacrifice, you should keep Billy at your company. ”

Q: Even though Alex tried hard, what if he could not convince Billy?

A: Learn the company’s nature, Mr. Inamori said. ” Of course, you have to apologize Billy due to having him deal with customers complaints. However, we, leaders, should learn the criteria of staffs who fundamentally support the company. Clever and agile guys never stay at one place for long. Those who eventually commit themselves to working hard in one place are the guys who tend to be called “ordinary”, “dull” and “slow”.

Q: What is Mr. Inamori’s conclusion?

A: Staffs who want to leave under contingency are ones who ,sooner or later, are to leave. Leaders understand the solid and resilient company’s criteria: a castle built on the solid stone basis. Ordinary, dull and slow guys should be treasured in a company.

I think it’s a theory of a giver and a taker. Employees who seek to be a “free rider” must end up as a “taker”. He never gets fulfilled unless he gives a lot.

2 Kyocera is famous for “employees’ stock holding system”. Kyocera employees who work hard will eventually get rewarded with stock prices. Black company is the one where ordinary, dull and slow workers work very hard but never get rewarded.

Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com

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