英語難民と英語貴族
2019.12.18
素直な心ですべてうまくいく、これを英語で
昨日の素直な心の社長さんの話、英語にしてみましょう！
私は成功するM&Aというタイトルにしてみました。
What are the tips for the successful M&A for a family business?
In the national annual conference of Seiwajuku in 2002, the business leader, Mike, who won the first prize, demonstrated his story to the audience. Mr. Inamori commented on Mike’s experience by highlighting tips of his success. This article shares Mike’s story and the tips on how to proceed with the successful M&A.
Q: What was Mike’s background, his family business, position, size, challenges and advantages?
A: He succeeded his family business from his father and grandfather, due to father’s sudden death as well as to his grandfather’s serious disease. The business was a liquor retailer with the sale of 3 million USD. The biggest challenge of his business was producing the abandon net profit despite of the industry standard profit ratio. His grandfather encouraged Mike to grow their business and at his succession, his grandfather told Mike that the president should come to the office earliest and leave the office latest. Mike understood grandfather’s words and worked very hard. Consequently, the business had grown steadily. One day, at the workshop, Mike asked Mr. Inamori what he should do with the business which structurally has born little profit.
Q: What did Mr.Inamori respond Mike? Did he give Mike a brilliant idea on how to make their business highly profitable?
A: No, no he didn’t. Mr. Inamori actually told Mike to quit that unprofitable business. Mike was shocked and very much disappointed. However, as time passes, Mike started thinking like this: well, am I willing to make our business profitable? Do I have little desire to make our business more efficient, don’t I? Did Mr. Inamori find my real intention and give me a pressure to realize the fundamental issues? Mr. Inamori implied that it’s I who identified our industry less profitable and who has made less effort to change the fundamental structure. It’s all but I who put the cap in our business growth…
Q: What did Mike do to improve his business performance?
A: Actually, Mr. Inamori made his comments by remembering the queries raised by Mike. He mentioned ” I don’t clearly remember the situation but as Mike’s question sounds so desperate, I had to tell him that you should leave that business as it was so structurally and fundamentally unprofitable.” Mr. Inamori continued, “Nevertheless, you were so open minded and straight forward, Mike, that you were able to take my words as hints to reconsider your business efficiency, then you came up with the idea of M&A. Usually, top leaders are reluctant to proceed with the M&A with the companies in the same industry but I admire your courage to positively think about M&A to look at the opportunities of the mutual growth.”
Q: How come did Mike come up with the idea of M&A with a company in a same industry?
A: Mike was objectively and specifically analyzed his business strengths. He discussed collaboration with another business leader among Seiwajuku network. That president, whose name was Mark, was happy to share a lot of corporate values with Mike. Mike realized that for proceed with M&A deal, sharing same values which mean corporate philosophy and missions is very important.
Q: How Mr.Inamori assessed the M&A that Mike has completed?
A: Mr. Inamori admired Mike’s attitude before and after M&A. He mentioned, “ Usually, when it comes to M&A deal, many leaders are afraid of being controlled by the larger one. However, Mike, you had never been afraid of getting into that position, rather, you have taken actions that benefitted your counterpart. As a result, you have driven a positive spiral and both you and the partner company have been prosperous. This is the policy that I have stressed many times to be taken for business leaders. Do not obsessed with the egoistic idea, rather, think about your partner first. By considering well how you can contribute the success of your partner and dedicate your resources, you would be able to succeed.”
Q: How did Mike’s business develop at the end?
A: He expanded the marketing channels and improved logistic systems by M&A. Furthermore, he acquired a food company and develop a platform where liquor and foods can be supplied as one-stop service. This has obviously brought a growth to Mike’s company.
Q: thus, what was the lesson learned from this episode? A: Open minded, altruism, and leaving your obsessions, all those are the keys to succeed that we can observe from Mike’s case.
