Akio Morita

Biography: 

Akio Morita was born in Nagoya, Japan, January 26, 1921. Hobby electronics was the reason that Akio Morita missed a lot of classes in high school. This school is the equivalent of the Western College. "I was the most laggard in graduate school, so I could not even put on the scientific department eight middle school and I had a year intensively working to achieve this," - he says. Akio Morita then entered the Imperial College in Osaka, after which in 1945 received his physics. After the war, Akio Morita started to teach physics, and in his spare time working with Ibuka, the electronics genius who wanted to start a new firm to do the details. In 1947, Ibuka, Maeda and Akio Morita became partners in the formation of the Tokyo telecommunications technology company. The company became known as "Sonny" in 1958.

Business Story:  

Akio Morita and his partners teamed up May 7, 1946 with a capital of $ 500. Their first products were devices for cooking rice. They did a hundred pieces, but have not sold a single one. Their next product was the first Japanese tape recorder, which was used for paper tape, because at that time in Japan was not plastic. Once again they made products for which there was no demand. The company was close to bankruptcy during this period and for the next eight years of operation. Akio Morita's father many times saved the company. It seemed like Akio Morita could not realize his dream - to produce electronic devices. The company knew how to design and make products, but had no idea of ​​how to sell what has been developed and released. This feature helped in capacity Akio Morita.

Akio Morita was the head of the department of foreign trade and marketing "Sonny." He did not teach it. He had a technical background, but decided that the skilled trade and marketing firm apart, who achieved success from all others. During this period, in the 50's., The firm decided to prove identity - "Sony" to "company created innovative products." The name "Sony" has since become synonymous with the most innovative products. Over the next forty years, "Sony" the first to use new ideas in virtually every segment of the consumer electronics market. This commitment to innovation has made a "Sony" most innovative company for three decades - from 50's to 70's. Its annual revenue has increased from 2.5 million. - In 1955 to 29 billion dollars. - In 1992.

"Uolkmen" company "Sony" was one of the most famous products. It was released in 1979 and became the most widespread in the world of audio device, with 75 different versions and more than 20 million users. Akio Morita told a story about how he had to fight to make this device was made. His engineers have conducted studies and concluded that this device will not be buying, because it did not have the recording function, but only play music. Intuitive feeling prompted Akio Morita that his product will be in demand.

He said: "If we do not sell 100,000 units by the end of this year, I will give up his post as chairman of the company." This was not a classic Japanese way, but in this case it worked well. When asked about the need for market research, Akio Morita said:

I do not believe that even the most solid market research to predict that "Sony Uolkmen" (player) will be a success, not to mention the fact that it would cause a sensation and the appearance of numerous imitations (Morita, 1986).

Conclusion:

Akio Morita is totally focused on winning and a game called "business" rather than root for athletes or think about world issues. Akio Morita dined with presidents, prime ministers and kings. He said Henry Kissinger as his personal friend. Akio Morita was a permanent mediator rapprochement between East and West. He often speaks of idealistic problems faced by both peoples. The combined newspaper article from November 12, 1990 posted its opinion on the philosophical differences between the Japanese and American attitudes to innovation and success in international markets. Akio Morita says that the U.S. made a mistake by releasing position in the production and start building an economy based on services.

The future of every nation - said Akio Morita - shaped not only by those who can manipulate and use paper values, but also the ability of the people to make good products ... Nothing is more fundamental to any nation or economy than the ability to produce real goods (Marlowe, 1990).

Teacher and writer Warren Bennis said: "The leadership requires the ability to persuasion rather than give orders." In Akio Morita had this ability, and he became a seller who changed the world of sound.

This outstanding merchant used his talents to improve the world, and each aspiring to become an innovator should try to learn from him this wonderful talent.