2501:Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth and New Beginnings

As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome the New Year, I find it essential to reflect on the journey we've undertaken at Shinyo Intelligence. This year has been marked by significant milestones, relentless dedication, and the rekindling of a cherished family legacy.

Establishing Shinyo Intelligence

In January, I took the decisive step to establish Shinyo Intelligence, inspired by my grandfather's company, Shinyo Interia, which closed in the late '90s due to the absence of a successor. His unwavering commitment to his business has been a guiding light, and reviving his legacy has been a profound honor.

First Consulting Engagement

March brought our first consulting order, a testament to the trust clients place in our expertise. This opportunity not only validated our efforts but also set the stage for future growth in the consulting arena.

Acquisition of the Shisha Business

A significant highlight was acquiring a shisha business in Kyoto. This venture has expanded our portfolio and introduced us to a vibrant community. Our shisha café now thrives with seven dedicated Gen-Z staff members whose energy and creativity have been invaluable.

Lessons from a Year of Relentless Pursuit

Operating tirelessly, without weekends, has underscored the importance of resilience and passion in entrepreneurship. This year has been pivotal in building connections and adapting swiftly to new challenges, laying a solid foundation for our future endeavors.

Looking Ahead: Empowerment and Growth

As we step into the New Year, our focus will be on:

• Stabilizing the Shisha Business: We aim to foster an environment that encourages autonomy and innovation among our staff. By empowering them to make decisions and contribute creatively, we believe the business will achieve new heights. Research indicates that employee autonomy can significantly enhance innovation performance.

• Expanding Consulting Expertise: I am committed to enhancing my project management consultancy skills, preparing for the next phase of business expansion. Continuous learning and adaptation are crucial in the ever-evolving consulting landscape.

Gratitude and Forward Momentum

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our team, clients, and supporters who have been instrumental in our journey. Your belief in Shinyo Intelligence propels us forward. Here's to a New Year filled with promise, growth, and shared success.

Wishing everyone a prosperous and fulfilling New Year.

Warm regards,

Daisuke INUZUKA

CEO, 伸葉インテリジェンス/GUC Growth Unlimited Corp 

2452 Challenging Efficiency in a Globalized World: A Reflection on Company Programs and Autonomy

 

This year, my company introduced a series of programs aimed at streamlining time and cost efficiency. The premise was simple: identify one common, practical action that could make a tangible impact—whether reducing meeting times or declining non-essential invitations for those without decision-making roles.

I participated with genuine intent, applying structured frameworks to identify essential actions. My team worked diligently, producing a shortlist, and eventually, we agreed on one key action. At the time, I felt confident that this initiative would drive business efficiencies, enhance our work environment, and ultimately contribute to profitability. I still believe that programs like these can be powerful drivers of success.

However, after several weeks of reflection, I began to have doubts. The core question on my mind: Is such a program always applicable to large-scale organizations, particularly those with portfolios exceeding €30 billion? My company, with over 100 years of history, holds a strong, traditional portfolio. Yet, as a conglomerate, we also operate in new and diverse industries. I began to wonder whether the chosen action was perfectly aligned with the needs of our legacy portfolio but less suitable for the emerging ones.

This uncertainty sparked a deeper concern: could the program inadvertently overlook the risks of globalization—a topic I previously explored in my blogs Vol. 2401 and 2402, which delved into the dangers of totalitarianism within globalized frameworks?

For example, one team decided on the action: "No regular meetings." While the intention might have been to eliminate unnecessary meetings, I see a potential issue. For teams following a lean startup model, regular meetings (such as Scrum or cadence meetings) are vital for maintaining communication and creating structured touchpoints. If replaced by only ad hoc meetings, these teams may lose coherence, resulting in less maturity and, ultimately, diminished productivity.

In my earlier blogs, I discussed the risks of globalization. I encourage readers to revisit them, as I believe these risks remain relevant in today’s corporate world. While globalized operations are one of my professional strengths, I am also a staunch advocate for individuality and autonomy. Striking the right balance between global systems and personal freedom is a challenge I continuously wrestle with, and it remains my ultimate agenda.

2451 Embracing Change and Exploring New Horizons

As I reflect on my career journey, I realize how fortunate I have been to experience multiple facets of the business world. Over the years, I have transitioned through different industries and roles, moving from contractor to vendor, and eventually to end-user organizations. Each of these experiences has offered unique insights, shaped my professional outlook, and reaffirmed one essential truth about myself: I thrive in dynamic, ever-changing environments rather than in routine or ultra-stable business settings.

The Journey Through Different Business Categories

My career began in the contractor category, working for a relatively small and conservative company. At the time, most businesses in Japan operated with a similar conservative mindset, emphasizing stability and tradition. This experience grounded me in the fundamentals of project management and execution.

My second role was also with a contractor, but it differed significantly from the first. It was a publicly traded company with greater stability and access to resources. While the environment was more structured, it still retained the dynamism of a project-driven business, which kept me engaged and motivated.

Seeking better work-life balance, I later transitioned to a vendor organization. It was a major shift—a super-stable company that allowed me to prioritize personal time and family. However, over time, I realized that the stability, while valuable, lacked the excitement and challenges I craved.

Finally, I moved to an end-user company. This role offered the perspective of working directly with operational assets, a unique vantage point that completed my understanding of the business ecosystem.

Understanding My Strengths and Preferences

Having explored these diverse categories, I have come to understand where I fit best. While I value stability and the legacy of established organizations, I am most inspired by dynamic work environments, project-based challenges, and the opportunity to engage with motivated customer stakeholders. Routine operations or asset management roles, while essential, do not align with my personal strengths or professional ambitions.

Looking back, if I were in my 30s, I might not have made the same choices. A stable role in my current company could have provided security until retirement, ensuring a steady income and predictable career path. However, as I’ve grown, so have my aspirations. I now prioritize growth, impact, and new challenges, even if it means stepping into the unknown.

The Next Chapter: Consulting and Entrepreneurship

With this mindset, I have made a significant decision: I will leave my current company by the end of this year to embark on a new journey. This decision is driven by my desire to work in consulting, where I can leverage my expertise in project-based roles, and to dedicate more energy to my private business ventures.

Interestingly, my new role brings me back to the world of contracts—something I last experienced in my second workplace. While consulting is not the same as traditional EPC contracting, it shares the project-driven and dynamic nature that I find energizing.

Starting in 2025, I will be based in the Kansai area, exploring new business opportunities while acting as a director. This role not only aligns with my strengths but also represents a significant step forward—a higher stage where I can make a broader impact and challenge myself further.

Looking Ahead

As I prepare for this transition, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. I look forward to sharing updates about my new role and challenges in the coming year. For now, I will focus on closing this chapter with gratitude and stepping into the next with purpose and enthusiasm.

If you are also considering a career change or exploring new opportunities, I encourage you to reflect on your strengths, passions, and the environments where you thrive. Sometimes, the most rewarding decisions are the ones that take us out of our comfort zones and into uncharted territory.

Stay tuned for updates on my journey—let’s continue to learn and grow together!

2450:Transforming a Shisha Café – From Lemon to Lemonade

 

There’s something deeply universal about the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It embodies resilience, optimism, and a mindset that can transform even the toughest situations into opportunities. But this concept isn’t just an inspiring mantra—it’s a practical philosophy for business and life.

I find myself drawing on this wisdom as I help lead a turnaround for a shisha café. On paper, it’s a solid business idea: a café near a major national university, only five minutes from the station, in a town filled with students. And yet, the business has been in the red for quite some time. This situation feels like a classic “lemon.” But I truly believe that with the right approach, this lemon can be transformed into refreshing lemonade.

The Lemon: Recognizing the Challenge

What makes this shisha café a lemon? At first glance, it may seem like a case of poor circumstances or bad timing. But the real issue lies deeper—it’s about aligning potential with the right vision. In business, as in life, a challenge often presents itself when the pieces don’t quite fit together.

It’s easy to get stuck in the mindset of seeing only the problems: the location isn’t perfect, the foot traffic is low, the target audience isn’t fully engaged. These are the "lemons" that we often focus on—the sour, bitter aspects of a situation that make us question whether it’s worth the effort. But these "lemons" also hold within them the seeds of possibility. The true power lies in how we perceive them.

Making Lemonade: The Power of Rethinking

To turn a lemon into lemonade, you must first embrace the challenge. It’s about seeing beyond the surface-level problems and tapping into what could be. This is where revolutionary thinking comes into play—a concept I’ve been exploring through 進化思考 (Evolution Thinking) by Eisuke Tachikawa. The core idea is that innovation is born from rethinking what is already in front of you.

In the case of the shisha café, the lemonade isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about transforming the entire experience. Revolutionary thinking invites us to ask: What if we stopped viewing this café as just a café? What if we started to see it as a gathering place for the local community, a hub of student life, or even a cultural experience?

This shift in thinking, this reimagining of what the business could be, is what turns lemons into lemonade. It’s about rethinking the essence of the situation and finding a new way to tap into its potential. The café doesn’t need to be a carbon copy of successful businesses in other areas—it needs to become something unique, something that resonates with the people who pass through its doors.

The Essence of Lemonade: Turning Setbacks into Strengths

At the heart of the lemonade concept is the idea that setbacks can become strengths. What we initially see as a disadvantage—whether it’s the location, the target market, or the current financial struggle—can actually become the foundation for something innovative.

One of the key lessons from 進化思考 is that evolution and growth often come from adversity. It’s in the moments when things aren’t working that we are forced to think differently, to pivot, and to find new solutions. Innovation is the lemonade that comes from squeezing the lemon of adversity.

For the shisha café, the current struggles aren’t simply obstacles to overcome—they are opportunities to rethink what the business can be. Perhaps the very challenges that seem to be holding it back are what will push it forward. The proximity to a university, while initially seen as a challenge, could actually be its greatest asset. It’s not about changing the location or moving elsewhere—it’s about changing the way we think about that location and finding new ways to engage the people nearby.

Lemonade Is a Mindset

Turning lemons into lemonade isn’t just a strategy—it’s a mindset. It requires seeing challenges as opportunities, setbacks as moments to innovate, and problems as the raw materials for success. This mindset shifts your focus from what’s going wrong to what could go right. It allows you to embrace the full potential of every situation, no matter how difficult or discouraging it may seem.

In business, this mindset is invaluable. It gives you the resilience to keep going when things aren’t working, the creativity to find new solutions, and the optimism to believe that even the most difficult situations can be transformed.

For the shisha café, this mindset is what will allow us to transform the business. We’re not just fixing problems—we’re creating a new vision, a new way of thinking, and ultimately, a new way of operating. The lemonade isn’t just a sweet drink made from sour lemons—it’s the result of revolutionary thinking, persistence, and a commitment to finding success even in the face of adversity.

Conclusion: Turning Lemons into Lemonade in Business

In every business, there will be lemons—challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But it’s in these moments that we have the greatest opportunity for transformation. By rethinking the situation, embracing the challenges, and turning adversity into innovation, we can turn even the sourest of lemons into the sweetest of lemonade.

For me, the shisha café is more than just a business turnaround project—it’s a reminder that with the right mindset, anything is possible. When life gives you lemons, don’t just settle for making lemonade—use it as an opportunity to create something entirely new.

2449:Why Kyoto Reminds Me of Silicon Valley: A New Era of Innovation

As I’ve started visiting Kyoto more frequently for a recent business collaboration, I can’t help but notice an incredible energy here—one that reminds me of Silicon Valley. Kyoto may be famous for its history and temples, but there’s a vibrant, forward-thinking community that’s making waves in the modern business world.

One aspect that stands out is the large number of young, talented students working alongside their studies. My collaborator here employs many part-time workers from three of Japan's top universities—Kyoto University, Doshisha University, and Ritsumeikan University. These institutions have a reputation for producing high-caliber students, and I've seen firsthand that their knowledge, skills, and attitude towards innovation are exceptional.

Many of these students have gained real-world experience through internships and hands-on projects. They’re not just studying; they’re actively working in fields like programming, software development, and tech innovation. Their approach to learning is dynamic, with many balancing their academic pursuits with practical work, reflecting a dedication to growth and experimentation.

Recently, my son Kansai reached out with a request for a sustainable business partner to help develop software for smart rings. Living in Akita, he was struggling to find someone with the necessary tech expertise. However, during a visit to my partner’s café, I remembered a student from Kyoto University who had a side business in tech development. Within minutes of reaching out, he was on board, ready to collaborate. The speed and ease of this connection brought to mind the rapid, lean start-up culture of Silicon Valley. Here in Kyoto, talent is readily accessible, and partnerships form quickly, driving innovation from idea to outcome in record time.

If it weren’t for my time in Kyoto, I might never have realized this unique blend of heritage and modern innovation. The opportunity to collaborate with such passionate, skilled individuals has been inspiring, and I’m excited about what we’re building together. This city has so much potential, and I look forward to sharing more insights from these collaborations in future posts.

Stay tuned for updates on our journey!