Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony

Rating:
Summary: A Book Worth Reading
Review: This book is written by Mr Akio Morita,the man behind the corporate giant Sony Corporation.He was a visionary and dreamer who not just dreamed but also made it possible.Let's not forget, the Sony Corporation was founded at the backdrop of nuclear attack on Japan by the United States.But he was never jealous of America.Instead he was very much influenced by the progress of US.He always tried to replicate the progress of US by closely watching the American business model.The book is full of anecdotes about the Japanese lifestyle, his thoughts on Management and his association with SONY.So,just read.

Rating:
Summary: Made in Japan : Akio Morita and Sony
Review: What is it that comes to our mind when we see the tag - "Made in Japan".... most often than not a sense of supreme quality assured to be associated with the entity holding that tag. Well this book is essentially a saga of transmogrification of Japan from a bombed, gutted and withered country to the world's second largest economy told in the backdrop of the life of one of the co-founders of Sony Corporation, a company phenomenal to Japan's uprising.
The book showcases the life of Akio Morita, one of the key architect of Sony's success, in his own words, starting from his childhood queerness and love towards the gizmos (then just phonographs and their electric siblings) to leading a small company, opened in a razed departmental store, to become one of the pioneers and world leaders in electronics consumer goods.
The book begins with Mr. Morita's account of the World War II meanwhile giving a brief description of his parental background thereby giving an insight into Japanese traditions of pre war period. While briefly recounting his childhood days, Mr. Morita deftly weaves the message to youngsters about the kind of orientation they must possess during their childhood.
The book then moves on to elucidate the rise of phoenix after Japan's postwar rubble. Mr. Morita elaborates how a seven member company founded in a burned-out departmental store starts with impediments confronting the company from all sides.
One can fathom the entrepreneurial adroitness of Mr. Morita by going through the account of harefooted business expansion achieved by the company under his leadership.
He then continues narrating the management philosophy and practices, fundamental to Japanese tradition, adopted by Sony that are away from the stodgy conventions followed in the world and which ultimately lead Sony to be the conqueror of market place.
He also articulately analyzes, in a chronological manner, the events that brought about the uprising of Japanese economy and its emergence as an economic power. Sony's role in this feat is also conspicuously illustrated.
Then comes a meticulous comparison between the Japanese and American styles, providing pros and cons of both the styles in a methodological manner. Akio Morita also concludes the reason for falling behind of US in the global economic competition.
Towards the end of the book, he speculates the present status of Sony and Japan and talks about the methods to be adopted in order to achieve global economic prosperity.

In all, the book is a must read for enthusiasts who would like to discover the ideology, attitude and ventures of one of the most successful men, who was able to turn the tag- "Made in Japan" from a term of derision to a sign of quality.

Review by Shreyas Shrivastava (III Yr. B.Tech., ABV-IIITM, GWL)
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