Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 21 Strategic Goals
Under limited conditions, Masato Takeshita had to assign a few deputies to the finance and personnel departments to supervise these two positions.

As the second largest shareholder, Industrial Bank also made a similar choice to supervise the factory's financial accounts.

"Boss, this is inappropriate!"

Before Ueno Shinichi, who was in charge of finance, could reply, Suzuki Zensuke interrupted and refused. He didn't want to face the temptation of such a large sum of money at any time, nor did he want to have this privilege.

"I think it's a perfect fit. You are the company's pillar of support. When I'm not here, you'll be the one to support the company."

For Vice President Zensuke Suzuki, Matsumoto Manufacturing is almost half of his life, but for Masato Takeshita, it is just a small stop on his future journey.

The suitcase industry is too small. Even if it expands into luxury goods such as clothing and luggage in the future, it can only be a second-rate player at best.

As for the top stars, what they need is not money, but the so-called status.

Even the United States cannot compete with Europe in this regard and can only play a second-rate role.

Of course, Masato Takeshita is not without a solution.

He can learn from the experience of previous giants such as Nike and Adidas and develop businesses such as shoes and clothing, and he can also find a way to success.

But the time cost is too high, and Masato Takeshita simply cannot spare that much time now.

However, he can still refer to the future development model of Nike and Adidas to provide a strategic plan for Matsumoto Manufacturing. But whether it can be realized in the end depends on the efforts of the senior leaders of Matsumoto Manufacturing.

"But, but..."

Suzuki Zensuke stuttered with excitement and was unable to speak, but still wanted to refuse.

How can I, a deputy factory manager in charge of production, have such great power?
"No buts. I'm still a junior and don't have that much time. I hope the vice president can take on more responsibilities."

"Well, okay." Suzuki Zensuke was an honest man and couldn't find a good reason to refuse. However, even so, he still said unwillingly: "Next year when you graduate, I hope to cancel this decision. I am just the vice president."

"No hurry, it's still early, we'll talk about it later."

Most people, after having tasted the power, would not give it up. Masato Takeshita didn't know if this was the case with Zensuke Suzuki, but it didn't matter at all.

If he is reluctant to let go, then it is just what Takeshita Masato wants. If he is willing to let go, then Takeshita Masato should support him to have this right.

No matter what, Suzuki Zensuke will never give up this right.

After Masato Takeshita divided his power slightly, he began to convey his long-term plan for Matsumoto Manufacturing to his subordinates.

"We will first produce 10 trolley suitcases and then sell them. 5000 of them will be given directly to people, such as the faculty and staff of Waseda University and the leaders of Industrial Bank at all levels."

"Remember, every teacher at Waseda University must be guaranteed a suitcase."

Masato Takeshita doesn't want a good thing to turn into a bad thing and end up being called a miser.

"Yes, President!"

Marketing director Shimizu Daishi looked solemn, and kept the president's instructions in mind. Since the president took this matter so seriously, he must pay more attention to it. "The remaining suitcases will be divided into two parts, one for maintaining the old channel relationship, and the other for the new channel introduced by Industrial Bank."

Industrial Bank is very powerful and has a wide range of channels to reach. But we cannot abandon old customer relationships, which are the foundation of Matsumoto Manufacturing.

He didn't want to rely entirely on Industrial Bank, as that would make it easy for him to be controlled.

Vice President Kobayashi Hiroaki tactfully advised: "President, 10 pieces in stock at one time, isn't the backlog a bit too much?"

"Not many. Suitcases are something that people who go out to play or go on business trips need. If the market is fully opened up, it will definitely be a market worth hundreds of millions. One hundred thousand pieces is not too many in the face of the crazy demand, and it will be easy to sell out."

Japan is now beginning to see a trend of going abroad, and these people are basically potential users. Let alone 10 pieces, even 100 million pieces would be easy to sell.

There are no competitors in the trolley suitcase market right now, but even so, Masato Takeshita still attaches great importance to the role of the marketing department.

After a brief pause, Masato Takeshita continued, "President Kobayashi, the company is prepared to spend 1 million yen on advertising. The funds are not much, so there is no need to hire a celebrity. I hope you can use your talents to try your best to help the company get a good time slot at Dentsu."

Although the trolley suitcases are destined to be a big hit, Masato Takeshita still hopes that the time can be shortened. And TV advertising is the best promotional medium of this era.

Kobayashi Hiroaki had never fought such a rich battle before, and he immediately straightened his chest and assured: "No problem, it's enough."

1 million yen for advertising is not a lot, but it is not small either. It can still be included in the prime time of the five major TV stations, but the duration may be shorter.

"As for the type of advertisement, we kept it simple. We only needed to compare it with the old suitcases to highlight the advantages of our rolling suitcases."

Comparing with competitors is a very simple and practical promotional method. I just don’t know if we will be far ahead by then.

"Yes, President!"

After giving instructions to the marketing department, Masato Takeshita turned his attention back to Zensuke Suzuki.

"Vice President Suzuki, while producing suitcases, don't forget to check the production machines. Once the sales of suitcases are good, we will immediately purchase two more production lines to expand the scale."

The Matsumoto manufacturing plant is still quite empty, with ample space to accommodate three production lines. Even if one more is added, there will be no problem.

"However, the products of these two production lines will focus on mid- and low-end products."

The market for high-end suitcases is limited, and they are mainly used to create a high profile and conduct publicity. Masato Takeshita is not stupid enough to only focus on high-end products. Only by dominating the mid- and low-end suitcases can he make more money and have a greater influence, which is the eternal pursuit of Matsumoto Manufacturing.

随后他继续补充说：“第2条生产线的材料成本控制在2000日元，出厂价10000日元，统一零售价14999日元。第3条生产线的材料成本控制在1000日元，出厂价5000日元，统一零售价9999日元。”

In fact, even the third production line is still not considered low-end in the strict sense. The material cost of a truly low-end suitcase is only a few hundred yen.

"Yes, President!"

"Yes." Takeshita Masato nodded with satisfaction, and finally looked at the head of the human resources department, Yagyu Masami: "If the suitcases sell well, then the company may enter a period of expansion at any time, so recruiting personnel will be very important."

(End of this chapter)