Seminar on Japanese Subsidiaries in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe

(CASE STUDY) HŌSHI RYOKAN: CONTINUITY AS A FAMILY BURDEN

When a business continues for 100 years it is still a business in a sense that it is mostly concerned with its bottom line, customers, products etc. When a business continues for 200-300 years, it is usually something more – a living museum, full of artefacts and stories related to them, where managers becomes custodians of tradition and corporate memory. But what happens if a business continues for 1000 years? Hōshi Ryokan, a Japanese traditional inn in the Awazu Onsen area is an example of such a business. It was founded in 718, which means that in 2018 will be exactly 1300-years old and for many years was recognized by the Guinness Book of Record as the oldest hotel in the world. Hōshi Ryokan is not simply a hotel, it is a deeply spiritual place where guests, who come to leave the everyday life behind, have a chance to truly encounter the eternity in the form of the onsen spring that is endlessly flowing from the rock. The 46^th generation of owners seems not to be so much concerned with making profit as with continuing to care and protect the miraculous spring - just like priests guarding the temple. Therefore, in a sense Hōshi Ryokan seems to be much closer to a religious institution than a normal hotel or hospitality business…

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(CASE STUDY) FUNABASHIYA: CONTINUITY TROUGH CHANGE

It is never to late to succeed in business. Funabashiya is a traditional sweets and dessert shop, which headquarters are located in Kameido a historical district of Tokyo. Funabashiya is 200 year old but it has the energy of a young entrepreneurial start-up. In facts it seems that it’s best days are still ahead. Since the current, 8th generation CEO Masashi Watanabe has taken over a lot has changed but the company maintained it’ core values while at the same time becoming rejuvenated and dramatically expanding it’s business. As such, Funabashiya is a classical example of ‘continuity trough change’ as well as of the vigour and potential of Japanese family business.

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Opening of COMARCH office in Tokyo

Today I had a chance to participate in the opening of COMARCH office in Tokyo. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the success of one of the first Polish companies entering Japan - Good luck!

Second presentation about continuity at the Family Business Seminar

Today owing to the hospitality of Prof. Goto I had a chance to present for the second time about the concept of continuity at the Family Business Seminar in Japan University of Economics. I was amazed to meet with my co-speakers, who presented about this theory being already applied in practice in family business turnarounds and debt restructuring. Each presentation and feedback from participants brings new insights and amazing inspirations! Thank You.

Presenting about the concept of “continuity”

Today, during the Dissertation Workshop at the University of Tokyo, Department of Management I delivered my first presentation about the topic of continuity. It was my first presentation in front of this audience since my graduation in 2012… 

    

The topic seems to make sense and I received a number of extremely insightful comments and interesting feedback on how to develop it in the future.

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Meeting of Polish Business Club in Tokyo

Today I participated in my first meeting of the Polish Business Club in Tokyo. Great idea, great initiative, fascinating people. Kudos to the originators and organizers!

Can't wait for content meetings!