Episodes 5 – Business Produce

Business Produce! ~ How to Create a 1 Billion Dollars Business the DI Way ~

Release Date:June 10, 2022

Episodes 5 – Business Produce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenario by Hirobumi Hoshii
Drawing by Syuhei Kamo
Edited by Trend-pro Inc.

Column

The ability to cooperate is determined by the designed concept

Collaboration is a pivotal phase in business production, and its success depends on how carefully the preceding concept is designed. Specifically, the concept must detail who to collaborate with and what benefits can be offered to them.

To expand the designed concept, it is necessary to thoroughly research the interests of potential collaborators and consider complex variables such as determining priority in approaching collaborators and identifying key players to prioritize to bring them on board. Ensuring precise and thorough design in these aspects significantly influences the success rate of external collaboration efforts.

The Allure of Being Involved in Business Production

Delving into the world of business production reveals that despite skillfully designing a concept as mentioned above, many challenges lie ahead on the path to realization.

For example, collaboration is not just about bringing materials to a potential partner, but also about paying close attention to what communication channels to use and in what order to input information to the potential partner. Behind the scenes, the business producer employs numerous creative strategies that aren’t always visible, paving the way for organic collaboration and the satisfying achievement of birthing substantial business ventures.

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Episode 4 – Think Big, and Outside the Box

Business Produce! ~ How to Create a 1 Billion Dollars Business the DI Way ~

Release Date:June 10, 2022

Episode 4 – Think Big, and Outside the Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenario by Hirobumi Hoshii
Drawing by Syuhei Kamo
Edited by Trend-pro Inc.

Column

Stand as the One Who Shapes, Not the One Who Is Shaped

In this instance, the consideration of a grand scheme involving numerous stakeholders, called “Hydrogen City,” emphasizes the pivotal point of assuming the role of rule-making at the heart of the plan to generate substantial profits. A clear example is the recent international developments in decarbonization. Discussions on decarbonization are progressing primarily with the European Union (EU) at the forefront, leading to rules favoring industries beneficial to the EU. Meanwhile, Japan has fallen behind and struggled to advance its industrial decarbonization.

Similarly, when bringing a concept to fruition, taking the lead in crafting the plan, fostering alliances, shaping the rules, and securing a superior position in the business are crucial steps. This ensures one stands at the forefront, enabling the realization of the plan.

The Essential Business Producer Stands Alone

In the story, we witness impressive feats from characters like Futaba, but in the realm of actual business creation, it is often a single business producer, akin to Futaba, who drives at the heart of the concept. One key reason for this is the necessity of “speed.”

In the ever-evolving landscape of business creation, the ability to swiftly adapt and make on-the-spot decisions is crucial, both in conceptualizing and executing plans. When multiple individuals are required for decision-making, the process is often delayed. Therefore, having a lone business producer who can make quick decisions, discuss outcomes with stakeholders, and make adjustments as needed is highly desirable.

From an organizational standpoint, enabling a business producer to operate in this manner becomes a key factor in the success of business creation.

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Episode 3 – Get to the True Cause of the Issue

Business Produce! ~ How to Create a 1 Billion Dollars Business the DI Way ~

Release Date:June 10, 2022

Episode 3 – Get to the True Cause of the Issue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenario by Hirobumi Hoshii
Drawing by Syuhei Kamo
Edited by Trend-pro Inc.

Column

Unraveling the Root Cause of Challenges

When contemplating societal issues, solely addressing surface-level problems leads to stagnant discussions.
For instance, consider a company grappling with a labor shortage. The solutions vastly differ depending on whether the company’s challenge lies in recruitment or redundant tasks. Furthermore, identifying which specific tasks are inefficient and understanding any organizational or industry-specific issues underlying them initiates meaningful deliberation for effective solutions. Without grasping the “root cause,” proposed solutions are not only ineffective in resolving the issue but also fail to resonate with others.
Lately, asking “why” five times to uncover the underlying causes has become common. This approach applies equally when considering new business ventures. By repeatedly asking “why” in response to societal issues, one can uncover the “root cause,” leading to a deeper understanding of the problem. Conversely, gaining a profound understanding of the issue often naturally leads to the emergence of solutions.

From Imagination to Plans: Uncovering the Truth Behind Social Issues

After identifying the true cause of a societal issue, the process of refining concrete strategies to overcome this cause transforms “imagination” into “plans.” To comprehensively understand societal issues down to the level of specific strategies, detailed research, particularly the firsthand, raw information gathered on-site, often leads to significant breakthroughs.

In mature industries, the underlying causes of societal issues can stem from “contradictions in industry norms.” However, internal personnel often overlook these contradictions as they perceive them as normal. Conversely, individuals with an objective perspective can easily identify these contradictions when observing the scene, frequently leading them directly to the root cause.

The likelihood of evolving imagination into concrete plans significantly increases with the repeated process of formulating hypotheses, observing the scene, engaging with involved parties, and updating the hypotheses.

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Episode 2 – Research It All Thoroughly

Business Produce! ~ How to Create a 1 Billion Dollars Business the DI Way ~

Release Date:June 10, 2022

Episode 2 – Research It All Thoroughly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenario by Hirobumi Hoshii
Drawing by Syuhei Kamo
Edited by Trend-pro Inc.

Column

Reading People and Engaging in Discussions with Outsiders: A Strategic Approach

In the first column, it was emphasized that imagining solutions to societal challenges is crucial for creating major ventures. However, brainstorming solutions to these societal challenges can be quite challenging to do alone, and finding a starting point can prove to be difficult. As a result, it’s more efficient to engage in discussions with individuals occupying various perspectives and positions. Viewing a problem from a single standpoint often hinders deeper thinking and can lead to overlooking crucial points or failing to consider alternative solutions from different angles. While it’s a good starting point to begin discussions with people closer to you, their perspectives and viewpoints may be quite similar.

At DI, actively seeking the perspectives and opinions of external individuals are prioritized to acquire entirely different viewpoints. It’s crucial to engage in discussions with individuals who possess elevated viewpoints, unrestricted by existing frameworks. By viewing societal challenges beyond the scope of individual companies or industries and engaging in discussions with individuals possessing profound insights, imagination can greatly expand. Conversely, engaging solely with individuals who don’t hold high viewpoints can lead to being trapped in a pessimistic mindset, focused on current challenges and industry frameworks, ultimately leading to a narrative of pessimism. While individuals with elevated viewpoints who engage in discussions are rare, they may not necessarily be affiliated with corporations and could include researchers or government officials. Upon encountering such individuals, the ongoing discussions coupled with thought-provoking material can enhance imagination.

The Essential Skills Required of a Business Producer

The role of the “business producer” is becoming more widely recognized, leading to a variety of interpretations. At DI, we believe that a “business producer” is someone who plans businesses, involves other companies or individuals, takes responsibility for bringing those plans to life, and plays a variety of roles depending on the situation. In this sense, we expect our consultants at DI to embody the role of a business producer. In this discussion, we will explore the skills required to work as a business producer at DI from a slightly different perspective. Naturally, essential skills for consultants include research and analytical capabilities, logical reasoning, document creation skills, and presentation abilities. While we have addressed the initial thinking required for creating businesses, the process of validating those ideas, translating them into strategies and plans, and convincing and moving clients forward follows.

However, being a successful business producer demands more than just the basic skills of a consultant. To undertake the challenging and diverse tasks mentioned earlier, soft skills such as networking, negotiation, and, crucially, communication skills that serve as the wellspring for the rest are also vital. At DI, we refer to these skills as “internal and external driving forces” and consider them essential elements for evaluation and development. However, it is rare for one individual to possess all skills perfectly. Therefore, recognizing one’s deficiencies and collaborating with team members and external individuals for support are skills we value at DI.

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Episode 1 – Think in Terms of Social Issues

Business Produce! ~ How to Create a 1 Billion Dollars Business the DI Way ~

Release Date:June 10, 2022

Episode 1 – Think in Terms of Social Issues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenario by Hirobumi Hoshii
Drawing by Syuhei Kamo
Edited by Trend-pro Inc.

Column

Creating Big Business Ventures: The Challenge Within Japan’s Major Corporations

In the first column, Mr. Hosono, Head of the New-Business Division at Takamatsu Manufacturing, addresses the problem of “lack of new businesses,” which is a widespread problem in large corporations across the globe. In Japan, this trend may be the result of historical factors contributing to a lack of management with experience in innovation. During the postwar 1950s, well-known founders led the movement to “catch up and surpass the West,” accumulating successful experiences and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among all as innovators. This resulted in the establishment of loyal execution units under these innovators, which in turn led to the creation of organizations dedicated to ensuring smooth routine operations. As time passed, individuals accustomed to routine-centered organizations ascended to management positions, shaping the current landscape of Japan’s major corporations. 

As we step into the 2020s amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Dream Incubator Inc. (DI) perceives a gradual evolution in the dynamic realm of new business ventures. Recent environmental shifts such as Carbon Neutrality, Digital Transformation (DX), and a focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) have compelled corporations to venture beyond their traditional business models for survival. The paramount importance of innovation is again taking center stage, manifesting in the rise of grooming future executives to pioneer new market expansions and service innovations in global arenas. Additionally, the recruitment and collaboration with individuals boasting external entrepreneurial acumen further accentuates the shift towards a more innovative landscape. This transitional period exudes a palpable sense of anticipation for the dawn of new business endeavors, signaling a promising shift as perceived by DI. 

From Societal Challenges to Creative Solutions: The Power of Imagination

The approach Natsukawa shared with the team, “Solving societal issues,” serves as a fertile ground for envisioning significant ventures. For example, Japan, often referred to as a nation facing widespread societal challenges such as energy, environment, and aging population issues, is well-known for its array of pressing social issues. Within DI, the belief is that the greater the focus on these societal issues, the larger the potential market size becomes, painting a picture of vast opportunities awaiting exploration.

However, naturally, societal issues, though widely recognized by all, remain unsolved challenges, making it difficult to transform them into viable business opportunities. While it’s crucial to build upon existing technologies and solutions to address significant societal challenges, focusing solely on this approach often leads to hitting a wall. This is where “imagination,” as Natsukawa emphasized, becomes crucial. Resolving societal issues involves envisioning the necessary technologies, the roles of various stakeholders, and the legal frameworks required to support them. It’s about painting an ideal picture and then reverse-engineering the necessary actions from there, serving as a potential breakthrough. However, it’s essential to note that this “imagination” should not be haphazard but backed by thorough research into the background of societal issues, meticulously uncovering structural problems to truly become meaningful. It begins with “imagination,” further evolving into “concept” through additional information gathering and discussions with external parties, logically connecting various facts.

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