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Plugged-in boss puts spark back in Sony
Dr Chubachi keeps a blog, which he updates daily. He writes about books he has read, sports events and Kabuki theatre he has attended, and music that he enjoys. But Chubachi is no ordinary blogger£¬he is president of Sony Corporation; and his blog is one of his ways of keeping touch with his managers and workers worldwide. Written in both Japanese and English, "Chubachi Connected" shares not only the 58-year-old's hobbies, but also his management tips as a top executive of one of the world's best-branded electronics and entertainment companies. "Yes, people want me to write more about management," he laughed. When Ryoji Chubachi took over Sony's electronics business early last year, it had been in prolonged doldrums. Critics said that its product lines were too long and profit margins razor thin. But as Chubachi saw it, it was the confidence of employees that was in crisis. "I had to boost morale," he said. And the first thing he did was to build trust in the management-employee relationship. "To strengthen communication, we went to the places where R&D, production and sales were conducted and picked the brains of our employees about ways to improve," he said. Townhall meetings were held, each lasting from half an hour to two hours, where ideas were exchanged. Although his blog, started on June 22 last year, does not accept messages from readers, employees can email their feedback to a designated mailbox. "At that time, our employees were anxious. They were eager for the company to get back on track. As a leader, I had to give hope and guidance. After employee confidence rebounded, then we had to do something about our business, in short, to make money," he said. After analyzing feedback from his employees, Chubachi set about to tackle the troubles plaguing the electronics business. "First, we started thinking from our customers' perspective. That thinking was embedded in every area, from designing to marketing. Second, we have the technology initiative, and it is infused with our unique style, the so-called Sony style. And third, we solve problems right at the site," Chubachi summed up.
Tax scraps to boost civilian high-tech R&D
BEIJING - China has scrapped tariffs and value-added taxes on core equipment, components, and raw materials imported and used in civilian high-tech projects since July 15, according to a circular of the Ministry of Finance and other departments. Related readings: Tax scraps to boost civilian high-tech R&D China scraps tariff on 60% of imports from 26 African nations Tax scraps to boost civilian high-tech R&D Cross-Straits trade deal to cut tariffs, open markets Tax scraps to boost civilian high-tech R&D US slaps punitive tariffs on Chinese wire decking Tax scraps to boost civilian high-tech R&D China slaps anti-dumping tariffs on imported Nylon 6 The move seeks to encourage research and development in the nation' s major strategic products, core technologies and major projects, said the circular. The projects that have been exempted from taxation include core electronics, high-end universal chips, basic software, integrated circuit-manufacturing equipment, new generation wireless mobile communication networks, and new drugs for prevention and treatment of some infectious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis.
China cuts tariffs for civilian high-tech projects
BEIJING - China has scrapped tariffs and value-added taxes on core equipment, components, and raw materials imported and used in civilian high-tech projects since July 15, according to a circular of the Ministry of Finance and other departments. The move seeks to encourage research and development in the nation' s major strategic products, core technologies and major projects, said the circular. The projects that have been exempted from taxation include core electronics, high-end universal chips, basic software, integrated circuit-manufacturing equipment, new generation wireless mobile communication networks, and new drugs for prevention and treatment of some infectious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis.
Knowledge Graph
Examples
1 Hirai has settled down four goals for Sony in the next fiscal year, including to strengthen the core electronics business, to accelerate the innovation to create new business and to turn around the TV business to bring Sony back on track.
2 The embarrassing spate of battery recalls that is threatening to tarnish the Sony brand's power is coming at a time when Sony has been struggling to turn around its core electronics business.
3 However, it needs to be remembered that China still lags behind such developed countries as the US in overall computing capacity, especially in core electronics and high-end chip development.