Comments on: Meet JAL's cafeteria-eating CEO

By: AB

AB — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:29:49 +0000

I know another example of such a man. His example shows that a very frugal style can allow you to get away with quite a lot.

I am talking about Ingvar Kamprad, CEO of IKEA, the famous furniture dealer. He is old now and more or less out of the game but he is still the ghost hovering above the company. He was famous for a style so spartan that he awed even egalitarian Swedes – his had not even an office of his own, the CEO of a billion dollar corporation was sitting at a simple table on a simple hard seated chair behind an office drawer in a corridor! Eating at the common canteen like all his staff went without saying.

There goes a famous story of some young Americans who took a job in the US subsidiary of IKEA, fresh from business school with their MBAs in their trunks. Their astonishment of having to haul furniture like any truckdriver is simpler to imagine than describe.

With his style mr. Kamprad has greased the popular acceptance of his sometimes dubious business practices. Like owning everything worth owning in his home smalltown and lording it like a local baron, like placing high hurdles in front of trade unions, like utilizing timber logged by unscrupulous logging companies in the 3rd world, like engaging in shady financial deals...

By: Francie Dalton

Francie Dalton — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:52:09 +0000

Thank you Kyung,
Those who prevail in difficult times are the ones who steadfastly refuse to allow negativity to form a barrier to their success. They instead deliberately and diligently take constructive action, thereby refreshing and reinvigorating their minds and their spirits, enabling them to take more action, which refreshes and reinvigorates. JAL's CEO is a prime example of this.

By: Ken in Japan

Ken in Japan — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:03:21 +0000

We do not care what you do or how you slack off in your work time. You should bring in more profit to your company. Having lunch together with your empoyees dose not help much. Get a respect from people outside your company ,not from within your own. I'm really ashamed of you how you distract your hard-working staff from your decade-long haphazard business practice. Now you realize that you must live in the competitive world. How to satisfy customer needs is a key practice for airline companies to survive at least . Do you know what you need to do? Open your eyes!

By: Bashir, Nigeria

Bashir, Nigeria — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:31:39 +0000

Comin from a nation so notorious for her corrution record JAL CEO is a like robin hood. Greed and speculation make the world go round. In Nigeria, he'll never make it to the top.

By: jack

jack — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:02 +0000

Japan has never really been capitalist, though every nation has its share of crooks. Difference is, in US self serving is seen as a good thing, in Japan it is demonized. Attitudes are beginning to change in US where the majoirty is plunged ever closer to poverty.

By: TS888

TS888 — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:15:54 +0000

"...a bit of a expectation."

But in the eyes of the west, now jaded by the selfish behavior of celebrities, politicians and many corporate leaders, he's extraordinary.

Personal responsibility is becoming a quaint memory from the past in the US. Everyone points the finger and says "It's not my fault!"

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:49:34 +0000

That Japanese culture you mention is true Rendal, but JAL's performance is hardly a reflection of top management mistakes, so I wouldn't expect his job was ever on the line. All airlines are suffering from a dramatic reduction in passanger traffic and JAL is no different. That being said, taking a paycut and being paid less than most pilots, thats admirable.. what a remarkable man... I would be honored to work for him for life.

By: tom henderson (perth scotland)

tom henderson (perth scotland) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:14:18 +0000

I admire the attidude of the CEO . As we live in a society of lables and barriers its time to remove them all .
Work for the common good for all .
take the slogan from Asda part of the walmart family " every one matters."

Dificult times bring tough solutions so together we can build for the future generations.

By: Elvis

Elvis — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:45:38 +0000

Well, 1 dont expect Malaysia to ever follow such leader as Mr. Nishimatsu. He would be looked down upon as cheap charlie. Here is Malaysia, CEO are given special titile such as Datuk Seri, Tan Sri or Datuk. And CEO in Malaysia also enjoy special perks as royalty families. Even if listed companies should filled for bankcruptcy, government will bailout such firms just like in US. I think Mr. Nishimatsu is a very rare individual, perhaps the only one exist in the world! Other CEOs will laughed at him and may go down in lecture halls as lesson to other aspirants not to follow such stupidity. Lets be realistic, CEO should act like one.

By: Bon Rendal

Bon Rendal — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:34:08 +0000

Yes a great example but also a bit of expectation. Here in Japan not cutting your salary, losing the perks would be seen as grounds for removal. Remember even the smallest hiccup in business will be reflected back on the top management and resignations will be required to atone for those mistakes.... forget about a bonus.