The Fruit Doesnt Fall Far from the Tree

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at Panasonic Computer Systems Company’s National Team Meeting in Tampa.  As with most sales meeting, the purpose was to educate, promote and motivate the sales force towards increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Unlike most sales meetings, nearly all of the speakers (The Chairman of Panasonic North America - Yoshi Yamada, High level dignitaries from Japan’s Parent Company Matsushita Electric, and local senior management) spent considerable stage time speaking about Customer Satisfaction, or as the corporate culture addresses it, Customer Comes First. 

Matsushita’s founder, Konosuke Matsushita (KM) was a visionary who saw the customer as the necessary focal point for a successful business before the concept was an accepted piece of common business sense.

I worked at Panasonic Corp. of America for a long time.  In fact, I would say I grew up there and cut my corporate teeth under the influence of KM’s philosophies.  It is clear to me that  who I am and what I believe about customer satisfaction is, in large part, the result of this experience.

I often tell the story of reading an article in a business magazine as I was starting my working career.  The story was about KM and his philosophies on business and social responsibility.  Immediately I knew I would do all I could to work in his organization. 

We all would like to think we are original in our thinking, but in reality we are greatly influenced by our environment and by key personages in our lives.

I have a passion for customer service and for the concept of turning the power of corporations towards social good.  My idea?  I think not. 

I’m just thankful to have had the opportunity for such exposure. 

We would all be better served to address a bit of KM at all of our Sales Meetings.

Committed to XCS !