Tap Water Philosophy of "god of Management"
In last week's blog, we dived into the great figure: Konosuke Matsushita who is respected in Japan as the "god of management."
Today’s newsletter will take you on the journey to explore more stories and delve into the “tap water philosophy” Konosuke advocated!
Konosuke Matsushita
The headquarters of Panasonic in Osaka (Pokarin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Story 4: Inspiring Dreams in Every Single Employee
As we looked at in the previous letter, Konosuke cherished every employee.
One day, Konosuke visited a factory and saw an employee polishing a light bulb with a bored look on his face.
Konosuke said to him, "You are doing a good job," and continued, "Do you know where this light bulb shines?"
“You polish the bulb and it lights up the street in the town.
Thanks to those lights, women heading home late from the station, who used to be scared in the dark, can now stroll back home without worry.
While children read picture books, it gets darker outside and they have to stop reading. But with just one light bulb you are polishing, the children can keep reading. Isn't that great?
By polishing your light bulb, you are polishing the children's dreams. Can't you hear them laughing?
You can't make things just to make things. If you can't imagine smiles on people's faces, you shouldn't engage in manufacturing. For the sake of children's dreams, let's light this light bulb all over Japan and the world.”
Story 5: Acknowledge the Mission of Industry
Konosuke believes that having a desire to contribute something to the world is "a noble way of life common to all humankind."
He especially urges those involved in the industry, whose spirit can even determine a country's decline and prosperity.
“Industrialists, people who are involved in and take responsibility for industry, must acknowledge the mission of industry and recognize its preciousness. The rise of industry enriches society, ensures the happiness of people, develops social life and the nation, and furthermore, leads to world prosperity and peace. Without that awareness, true industrialists can’t be nurtured.”
With this strong faith, he kept inspiring dreams in all of his employees.
Master Ryuho Okawa
CEO of Happy Science
Tips from Master Okawa: People Who Give Will Receive
Konosuke's “tap water philosophy” is one of the fruits of his beliefs.
In Japan, safe tap water is provided at a low cost. By supplying large quantities of low-priced, high-quality electrical appliances, these products will be distributed like tap water, bringing happiness to the people. This is the “tap water philosophy” set forth by Konosuke.
Master Ryuho Okawa, CEO of Happy Science, citing this “tap water philosophy” as an example, explains the laws of "people who give will receive" as the principle for the creation of wealth in "Invincible Thinking."
“If you succeed in gathering wealth, you should not try to monopolize it for yourself. Wealth will certainly circulate to you if you try and use it so as to contribute to improving the lifestyle of others and bringing them happiness.”
“In other words, if you use your money just for your own sake, it will gradually disappear but if you try to use it for the sake of as many people as possible, you will find that it will continue to grow and multiply.”
Embracing Gratitude: The Foundation of Nurturing Love
What was the origin of Konosuke's continuous consideration for people's happiness?
Konosuke once said, "I put my hands together to the backs of my customers."
When he first started his own business, he had no customers at all. Even a single person did not come.
One day, however, a customer finally showed up. That alone was enough to impress him, but that person even bought products. When Konosuke saw the customer leaving the store, tears streamed down his face, and he involuntarily put his hands together in gratitude.
Konosuke quit school and worked away from home at the age of 9. Even after starting his own business, he went through many hardships and difficulties, including the Great Depression and war.
Even so, Konosuke's starting point was the feeling that he had been given.
His deep gratitude nurtured a heart of love, and that love formed his warm personality as a "god of management."