Soy sauce is an indispensable spice in daily life. Japan saying called ", finally, soy sauce and fresh start with soy sauce", that is eating Japan cuisine, from beginning to end without soy sauce. While in Japan, talking about soy sauce, first think of the brand is undoubtedly Kikkoman (Kikkoman).
In the competitive world of Japan on the soy market, Kikkoman has an unshakable status. Japan about 50% of the soy sauce market is dominated by five large companies, the remaining half was more than more than 1400 medium and small soy sauce manufacturers to carve up. In five large companies, shell if market share is as high as about 31%, the other four companies share the sum less than 20%, Kikkoman YAMASA is 11%, is 6%.
However, if you think a strong position in the field of Kikkoman soy sauce only Japan home, it would be a big mistake. In front of giants such as Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Kikkoman's much smaller volume, the annual sales of 3 billion to 4 billion dollars, but Kikkoman was Japan first practicing internationalization and internationalization strategy is one of the most successful companies.
In fact, Kikkoman overseas sales and revenue have both exceeded Japan domestic market. Kikkoman 2014 fiscal year financial results showed that its overseas sales have accounted for the company's total sales of 55%, operating profit in overseas markets has been as high as 81% per cent. Among them, the 75% of sales in overseas markets, overseas revenue of 67% from the United States. There is a popular saying was that "in 1956, the Americans know Japan Royal family supplies the Kikkoman soy sauce; the following year, they saw the first Japan Toyota Crown; since then, and they saw the Sony Electronics. "
Kikkoman's main product--soy sauce, are now marketing in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, said Kikkoman soy sauce in the world market share of about 50%. Kikkoman Corporation released the statistics also show that in 2013 in the United States soy sauce market share of more than 55%. Kikkoman (Kikkoman) has become almost synonymous with soy sauce, soy sauce, only, can to contribute to Kikkoman for about $ 2 billion a year in sales.
However, globalization is a business, and those around the sauce "pounce" company, its started just a little soy sauce workshop, entrepreneurial origin can be traced back to the middle of the 17th century, has been continuing for more than 350 years. So, how much of a force, to make the Foundation of a company so Evergreen?
From the workshop of soy sauce to "eight total cure"
Comparative study of other Japan family businesses will find that Kikkoman inheritance: inheritance is the feature I'm afraid "eight rule."
Tortoise Shell million company is by three big family of 8 support Home Department of career integration and into, company default of rules is: only allows each support Home Department sent a bit members into company, person can became company director full see personal nature, in competition zhixia, only was recognized most excellent of that bit only can succession, while not excluded select 8 support Home Department yiwai of excellent career managers took over as.
This mechanism design, Kikkoman is very different from the other family business, Kikkoman, head of the second group of the company's overseas business fukasawa Haruhiko Mikimoto indicated to the author that, Kikkoman is regarded as traditional Japan family business may not be appropriate. Kikkoman Corporation Honorary President (10th President) Mau son, managing Executive Director Mr Mogi Mogi wood also believed that some sort of sense, Kikkoman is a misreading of the outside world as a family enterprise.
However, the Kikkoman information public by June 30, 2015, with three big family closely related to the "company", "Corporation maomuzuo", "limited Club Kushigata", "public welfare Foundation Noda Institute for scientific" holdings, 1.98%, 3.19%, and 1.77%, respectively, is still the major shareholder of the company, Kikkoman, still has some basic features of the family enterprise.
In fact, "eight total cure" the formation of this model, has a long history of evolution. Kikkoman was first originated in Japan's Chiba Prefecture Noda area, the region has a wealth of high quality water, since ancient times, is Japan famous soy sauce producers. In 1661, as one family in the area of Noda, Emi Takanashi family 19th Gao Libing Zuo Wei, began his career in soy sauce brewing, opened a small workshop of soy sauce.
Another family in the same region-the Mogi family in 1662 the production of miso. However, from the separation of the Mogi family a family (seven francs Mogi right-back door) from 1662 with Gao Libing Zuo Wei to soy. Until 1766, when Mogi family in his own country, also began a comprehensive transformation of soy.
In 1814, Nagareyama Chiba area not far from the Noda area, Jiro Ku ku cut lines of the family began to set foot in soy sauce brewing. Then Emi Takanashi family, Mogi family has been known to soy fields, has produced many famous soy sauce brewing.
In 1828, the Emi Takanashi been shogunate's and Mogi's production of soy sauce is highly recognized, Mogi family clan (maomuzuoping statesman) 1873 marked "Kikkoman" brand of soy sauce to Australia held world's fair (Expo) exhibition, access is highest award of soy sauce, Kikkoman's reputation grew.
Mogi family at the time of the separation, via the flavor of soy sauce 蔵, the burden of initial investment in equipment, pay operating working capital funds and other means, give due assistance to separated family members, the Mogi family has grown to around 1860, the Mogi family of soy production has accounted for more than half the Noda soy sauce production.
But at the same time, increasingly fierce competition between kin. To this end, the Mogi family clan called clan branch in 1885 to form a "social" purposes is made by "family, and the family business and sustainable", centering on clan forge Mogi Family Foundation.
In 1887, through several marriages, adoptions and other forms, essentially has become a family of Emi Takanashi family and Mogi's family, formally merged to form "Noda soy sauce combination." 1914 outbreak of world war I significant increase in the demand for soy sauce, but once again intensified the unhealthy competition between peers.
For, Mogi family (capitalists and the separation total a family 6 home), and Emi Takanashi family, and Ku cut family career integration, 1917 merged established "Noda soy sauce Corporation", elected Mogi family of Mau wood seven lang right-back door (6th generation) for first President, Mogi family capitalists using of "tortoise shell million" was finds for unified trademark, merged Qian of more than 200 more species trademark began to unified, company operation achieved "eight home total rule".
For this unique model, Kikkoman, Honorary Chairman, 10th President Mogi Mr Mogi said in an interview, "a family business interests, is incapable of family members involved in the business. …… Although it is not clear who first came in 1917, when eight companies, set a strict rule: every generation only allows 1 person joined the company, and not guaranteed to enter people is bound to be directors of the company. Such custom stand so far. "
Meanwhile, Mao wood Mr Mogi believes that "the family business one of the big advantages is that there are a lot of a sense of strong, enthusiastic about the company's people, need to use such advantages. But not to others is also no good, so as long as there is a suitable candidate, President of the company need not get bogged down in family members. "
Comes with strict rules of "eight condominium" mode, each only training and selection of the most outstanding members of the company, this eight became another meaning of "opponents" have to enthusiastically to educate their children. It goes without saying that such a model, relatively good to overcome the inherent disadvantages of family business succession.
From 1917 to the present, Kikkoman, President of the 13th. Mao wood 6, Emi Takanashi family to return a total of 8 persons, other than the eight family members, 2 of whom, outside professional managers 2 people, Ku family 1 (current President). Furthermore, each Member of the family after entering the company needs to start at the bottom of the sales start, only Emi Takanashi family descendants of the company's Emi Takanashi Koichiro Matsuura said "this is a necessary process." He entered the Kikkoman's first job was selling Coca-Cola, and the Japan Society is almost universal boycott of Coca Cola.
After the general strike of Phoenix
In fact, in 1917, the company newly established, then suffered a hit of special historical background. In 1918, after the end of world war I, the worldwide rise of left-wing thought, labour movements are frequent. Japan is a large wave of strikes all over the country continue and appear all over the country, "m commotion", the whole society is in angst. "Noda soy sauce" is no exception, in 1919 a first strike in 1921, more and more workers to form trade unions, and to strike. Mogi Chi-lang, President of then-right-back door in the company's "approach to instruction" puts a word in "letting fall of fortune and glory against", and by improving the treatment, improve the system to settle the strike. Apple intends to take over your House all smart
In 1927, however, Japan financial panic, stock market crash, banks to suspend business. Under such unrest, large-scale labour movement emerges again. "Noda soy sauce" is experienced as many as 218 days of strikes, the incident was known as the Japan three strikes before the war.
Hou as company 5th any President of maomuqisanlang (Mogi family adopted son, and Mau wood friends Mr Mogi of parent, and formerly known as rice Tian Shengzhi, and was as is tortoise shell million company of "ZTE of zu") experienced has this up effect far-reaching of big event, he later in Japan economic news well-known of serial column I of resume book in the memories road: "at employees of mentality has slipped to even company occurred fire are not assist fire of point, this let we realized that, company if became acts has shell, and business lack responsibility and ethics, Employees will lose the professional consciousness and belief. "
Mogi, Chairman Emeritus when Mr Mogi also interviewed recalled, "the 1960, I study in Colombia University, United States the University scholars in the study of Kikkoman's strike. Its end result is a company wins, but as important lessons, Kikkoman will load it company ' is '. "
Indeed, in 1928 after the strike is resolved, then President of Mogi Chi-lang right-back which was developed for the industrial soul of "she is" (guideline "corporate Constitution"). Clear summary of the soul of the industry cautioned: "not pure profit, is the public tool of society. In addition to outside shareholders, managers also need to consider the interests of employees, geographical society, such as multiple roles. Business objective is to promote country of longchang, national happiness. The establishment of mutual help, love between people, is fundamental to business. "
"Disputes", Mao wood Saburo evaluation of friends that go on strike, "that is the integration of 8 into the experiences of big impact for the first time, initially only a loose collection of 8 together, truly consistent solidarity in front of difficulties. If not 8 integration, just 2 or 3, and also compete with each other, then you probably can't survive. "
Under it was this hit Phoenix, big events after thorough reflection, Kikkoman is in the development process, attaches great importance to corporate social contribution, as well as relationships with employees, and Kikkoman "globalization strategy 2020" clearly shows that to become "social enterprise of the Earth".
"We were brought up to be educated, not the popular saying that a win-win situation, but three parties benefit, in addition to the cooperation between the two sides, but also include community. A commercial activity if not giving back to the community, good for the community, it is difficult to the long-standing "Emi Takanashi family Takanashi Koichiro Matsuura said.
This concept, detail throughout the Kikkoman. Last year, the author with the Mogi family members of Mogi, Kikkoman Corporation Executive Executive Directors when they meet for the first time, he handed me a business card extremely thin and light, with a very special material. Mau muxiu explains, "we card materials are all employees of the company not to use wood instead of soy sauce residue recycling. We can through all possible means to promote waste reduction and resource recycling. "
"Honest" and "innovation"
"What are the conditions for long-term sustainable development?", Mao wood Mr Mogi's answer was "honest" and "innovation". Kikkoman brand and its "pure soy sauce" is closely related to adhere to. It is well known that soy sauce brewing soy sauce and soy sauce can be divided into pure chemical synthesis, pure soy sauce's main ingredient is soy, wheat and salt, ferment often requires months, synthetic added hydrochloric acid to soy sauce is soy and yeast, fermentation time around January.
I can not found out the exact statistics, but Chinese media reports said China's circulation of soy sauce, pure soy sauce for only 10% or so, mostly chemical synthesis of soy sauce.
But Kikkoman even in times of war and the difficult times after the end of the war, has resisted the production of chemical synthesis of soy sauce. Mao wood Mr Mogi said, "when the war was over, Japan insufficient domestic raw materials, the garrison to press for us production of chemical synthesis of soy sauce. When companies face enormous pressure, but by working to develop the full available pure soy sauce production methods of soybean, which persuaded the garrison. In order to promote the idea of pure soy sauce, when operators or decides to include technology and patents are freely available. "
"Such persistence, enhance the credibility of Kikkoman brand and let Kikkoman's increase in market share. On the right things, only faith to work, the road will become wide ", concludes the Mao wood Saburo. Free and open technology and patents, Takanashi Ichiro asked, "this sounds stupid? but actually obtained the trust of consumers. Seemingly stubborn family precepts actually contain truths, such as our family motto 9th ' benevolence should be extended to all biological species. We understand that new technologies should be used to benefit the world. "
Just as Japan Konan University School of management Professor, family business, President of the cangkemin material puts it, "realized the Foundation sustainable management of Japan the great secret of the enterprise, is that such companies tend to have strict operational discipline. Mostly through the Government Gazette, family forms, clear business rationale and objectives, and on the understanding and heritage from generation to generation. "
Mao wood Mr Mogi Mogi, Kikkoman Corporation Executive Executive Directors surveyed also said, "although I don't really understand the details of the Constitution of the family of eight, but in ' honest ' on this point, eight is the same. Family precepts have 17 Mogi, a clear indicator of a is ' one of you and as you, remember that Germany, money is at the end, don't forget the beginning ', each slightly different, but the concept itself is the same. "
For innovation, Kikkoman currently abroad, especially in Europe and great success in the market, is the best proof. 1970, Kikkoman, in United States, Wisconsin, established when Europe's largest soy sauce factory, Takanashi Koichiro Matsuura recalls that native Americans "not many people can get clear soy sauce and India ink-what is the difference between". Kikkoman requested Japan employee must live in the State of Wisconsin every American community, together with the local people learning English, and Americans commonly used ingredients are all shipped back to Japan to study, to develop the most suitable for local flavor of soy sauce and other condiments.
Kikkoman soy sauce from one workshop to grow into an international enterprise, the current President of Ku qiegongzhang (13th, members of the Ku family) think reason lies in continuous innovation. In Kikkoman's view, tradition and innovation are not contradictory, but organically integrated. Ku said that "the so-called traditional, but innovation has accumulated. "
In fact, Kikkoman is extremely stick to tradition. For example, Kikkoman has an interesting tradition: even in the overseas factories, will adhere to Shinto ceremony was held. "Even in the United States and the Netherlands to set up a factory, we will also invite local God guanlai presided over a ceremony around for 2000 years. Because our ancestors believed, only purified lands, Kikkoman is rooting it. "Takanashi Koichiro Matsuura said.
For Evergreen, Kikkoman, Honorary Chairman of Saburo Mogi friends has its own experiences, "enterprise of built to last, is to face a variety of challenges, through efforts to correct cycle. Said that the business life of 30 years, usually for about 30 years or so would have encountered a big problem. Whether built to last, the key is whether we can overcome these problems. Cult certainly is not enough, must also take the initiative to deal with, because we are in a positive attitude, so to this day. "
Emi Takanashi family Takanashi Koichiro Matsuura said, "the secret is very simple, Darwin's theory of evolution implies a truth, things survive, survive, and not necessarily the strongest or most intelligent species, but those who are most sensitive to environmental changes, fastest reaction, called survival of the fittest. "
Emi Takanashi Koichiro Matsuura believes that is built to last the three most important points, "clear selection and methods of succession", "adapt to the environment initiative for change and the need to have operating system in favour of self transformation" and "clear and less popular business philosophy and business ethics."
For the future of Kikkoman, Mr qiegongzhang said, "conveys fresh culture takes time to penetrate, the world strategy of the enterprise is the meter of a century. "For the success in Europe and America, Ku President responded dismissively," it's just the two continents of the world. "