Shigetaka Komori

D.I.Y and self-guide books written by entrepreneurial and leadership figures are often unabashed self-promotional hypes. But Shigetaka Komori's 'Innovating Out of Crisis' is a different piece of work. It is neither purely autobiographical nor entirely advisory. Its beauty lies in the fact that it is penned by a man who singlehandedly led Fujifilm successfully into the digital era and then through the 2008 global financial crunch. The result? He finally outmaneuvered and put paid to Eastman Kodak; the loaded competitor. How did he do it? He has codified his advise in this very book which I am reviewing. If you are that type of leader who wants their pie and also desire to eat it, then this book is your mantra. Read it now; read it forever.… (mere)

I wish more Japanese businessmen published more books in English like this

I rarely find books by Japanese businessmen, this was a good read. The author - CEO of Fuji Film, a lifer in the company having started out in sales - describes how the company navigated the collapse of film photography in the face of digital cameras. Today it has more revenues and profit than ever before, powered by more technology and products, while Kodak has gone bankrupt.

The book is enjoyably short, the author does not waste pages on ego or repetition as is more often the case with American business books. But I wish he wrote more details and more specific stories about the hard decisions the company made.

I was pleasantly surprised with the ending section focusing on Japan’s economy and politics. His perspective on the country is not one I had heard before in the Western press. He is definitely a traditionalist - old school and advocating old schooling methods - and a fan of Abe, again expressed in a way I had not heard before in the Western press.… (mere)

Mr Komori has set an example to all the VPs and managers of organisation with this book. He has given a way to success in crisis time. All know Japan is one of the leading country in technology and this man has proved it by bringing diversification in the company. This book is a inspirational one to now new managers. He has beautifully specified the problems and also the solution to it. This book should be available in library of each company for reference as Mr Kormori has set an example of entrepreneurship, leader and a patriotism. Overall it's an awesome Goodread... 😃… (mere)