Since Konosuke Matsushita launched its first electrical product in 1918, an adapter plug designed to meet consumer needs, the small company that founded with a capital of 100 yen (then equivalent to $ 50) has grown to become the largest manufacturer. of the world's electrical and electronic products. In 1982 sales reached $ 14 billion. Matsushita products are known worldwide under the brands National, Panasonic, JVC, Technics, Quasar.
On May 5, 1932, fourteen years after founding Matsushita Electric, he formally declared to his employees "the accomplishment of our mission." The "mission" that had matured over the years was "To contribute to the well-being of humanity by providing products and services at moderate prices and in sufficient quantities to achieve peace, happiness and prosperity for all.
In "The Secret of My Success," Konosuke Matsushita, as a famous and successful Japanese businessman, explains his views on business and management based on his experience throughout his years.
The book is divided into 2 parts. The first one: "My Management Principles" is developed in 4 chapters called: "Business Secret", "Management Secrets", "Warning to employers", "Keys to train and empower staff"
The second part is called: «Reflected on my Management».
Additionally, he publishes a monthly magazine called PHP (Ideas for a better world) that presents a series of articles for modern management.
“I believe that in any situation, however chaotic and hectic it may be, it is possible to find a way by which business or management leads to development and prosperity. As for business and management today, beset by constant problems that are difficult to solve, typical of a time considered turbulent and in a dizzying transition, I think that the possible solutions are literally infinite.
To find a timely and appropriate solution, in my opinion, the only way is to discover with your own effort the secrets of business and management, dedicating yourself body and soul to it.
It is certainly very difficult to exercise business and management, due to its enormous complexity and breadth. However, from another point of view you can think that business is easy, because it exists because society claims it as something necessary. In other words, the principle of business consists of nothing less than attending to the public voice from the heart, responding honestly to your requests. For my part, lasting more than 60 years, I have always maintained this attitude in the Management of the Matsushita Electric Company.
In 1982 "Thoughts on Man" was published in English, bringing together in one volume my thoughts on man and essential characteristics.
Fortunately, it was received favorably and, at the same time, from various countries they suggested that I publish a volume dedicated especially to my personal vision of business and management and my way of managing them, based on my experiences. This, therefore, encouraged me to publish this book entitled "The Secret of My Success", where I expose the secrets of business and my way of managing, reviewing my own experiences, wishing to correspond, even if only briefly, to the suggestions received.
The book has, therefore, a highly personal tint, and therefore, it is not to be expected that success will be assured just by following its content to the letter. Furthermore, I am sure that among a hundred people, there will be a hundred ways of managing.
On the other hand, I don't know to what extent this book can be useful to people from other countries with different circumstances, customs and ways of thinking. In any case, it would be a great personal satisfaction if they read it considering that it is the way of seeing and thinking of a Japanese woman about management. Of course, I would like to receive your opinions and impressions.
Last year I turned 88, but I still want to continue going deeper into management as "Camino". I would like to close this prologue by presenting the maxim that has guided me on this "path" for a little over a decade:
Youth:
"Youth is in the heart, and it will always be young who discovers something new in their daily activities, overflowing with conviction, hope and courage." Konosuke Matsushita. »
