In my opinion, people who need to be nurtured cannot become corporate managers (presidents), meaning that corporate managers "mature on their own accord," or "mature through their own efforts." Of course, they need to be subjected to a variety of experiences, but those destined to become managers tend to have what it takes to learn for themselves when given the appropriate experiences, education, and so on.

In this sense, when considering handing over responsibility to the next generation, the important thing is giving them the opportunity to learn. In the process of "maturing on their own accord," people with the talent to become managers think thoroughly about things they don't understand. If after thinking about something they still don't understand, they investigate and ask questions. In response to these questions, current managers should offer hints and encourage those asking the questions to give them more thought. The next generation of corporate managers will be those who think about and experience all manner of things, and grow of their own accord in the process.

"Managers" and "management" are similar but different. There is no great difference in the talents and abilities required by each. Put simply, managers think for themselves about what needs to be done and act and make decisions on their own initiative. It soon becomes clear whether someone is manager material or management material based on whether they tend to divide up their work and complete their own assignments or whether they tend to just follow instructions from the current president.

One can also tell more or less which group someone belongs to by whether they put forward views about the future or talk about the present when they discuss something. If they have no image of the core of the discussion when they speak, then what they are saying is nothing more than fantasy. This is another point that needs to be kept in mind.

Monthly senryu:
You think they're everywhere but they're not, real managers

Given what happened in March last year, I don't honestly feel like celebrating the New Year. The nuclear power plant disaster that followed the earthquake and tsunami was like hitting someone while they were down. It dented our spirits, making us feel even more anxious and discontented.

Nevertheless, we will not be defeated. We have to brave through this adversity. I don't believe that I am the only one who wants to rebuild our lives, revitalize our businesses, and display the true strength of the Japanese people to the world.

The disaster was like another slap in the face just as we were beginning to feel positive about bouncing back from two lost decades. I think that slowly working our way back, however, will make us strong in the true sense of the word. Although some large companies have survived relatively unscathed, most small and medium enterprises have been hit hard.

But, of course, we don't want to be losers. I want us to overcome this situation by making even greater efforts than we have made up until now, and that will obviously be impossible if we simply carry on doing everything the same way as we have done in the past.

We must generate value that we haven't generated before, and create markets that haven't existed before. Such efforts have become increasingly necessary. The days when long-established companies got by on their reputations and when scale merit was important, are now buried in the past.

Only companies that customers really need will be allowed to survive. So, I want us to work hard to establish ourselves as a company that knows what it has to do to be one of these companies that customers really need.

Obun Printing is focusing more than it did before on development, and at the end of last year, we succeeded in developing some very innovative technology. I hope that this will spur us on to develop applications for new technology, develop more products, and develop a wider range of services.

Heroics alone will not give us the energy we need to face the future. I truly believe that we must motivate ourselves, maintain pride and confidence, and open up a new world for printing. I also intend to make 2012 a year for raising Obun's presence in the printing industry.

Monthly senryu:
I trust I can continue to count on you this year.