#Japan #Tokyo #SSK Seminar #R&D Transformation #Kimura Hisao

Transforming R&D Organizations: Seminar Details and Insights

On August 28, 2026, a significant seminar titled "Three Approaches to Transforming R&D Organizations" will be held, featuring insights from Kimura Hisao, a senior consultant at Japan Management Association Consulting. This engaging event will explore the essential strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of research and development sectors within organizations, emphasizing the urgent need for transformation in the face of evolving market demands.

Why R&D Transformation Matters

R&D organizations serve as the engines of growth for enterprises, yet many struggle to meet the escalating expectations from various divisions. Companies often lament the lack of innovative solutions emerging from their R&D departments, leading to questions about their responsiveness and overall efficacy. This seminar aims to provide a comprehensive diagnosis of R&D organizations' productivity and vitality while presenting forward-looking strategies to effect meaningful change.

Seminar Structure

The session will be conducted in both an in-person format at the SSK Seminar Room in Tokyo and via live Zoom webinar, with recordings available for two weeks post-event to accommodate various schedules. Attendees can expect a blend of theoretical insights backed by practical case studies from leading firms in the industry.

Key Themes of the Seminar

Participants will delve into three critical transformation approaches:
1. Theme Structural Reform: This involves maximizing the formula for investment returns by evaluating theme value and success probabilities.
2. R&D Vitality Innovation: The utilization of R&D vitality diagnostics will be discussed to boost organizational energy and creativity.
3. Strategic Rebuilding: Attendees will learn to redefine their organization's purpose and align it with business strategies, ensuring R&D efforts support overall business growth.

What Will Attendees Learn?

Through this seminar, participants will gain a deep understanding of:

• - The necessity of transitioning from static to dynamic R&D processes.
• - Techniques for theme creation and the reconstruction of evaluation systems, including the Future Value Evaluation (FVE) method.
• - How to pinpoint the current status of their R&D organizations and prioritize necessary changes.
• - How to formulate R&D strategies that lead business strategies, focusing on outcomes and growth potential.

Target Audience

This seminar is designed for individuals in senior roles within research and development, including:

• - R&D executives and department heads.
• - Laboratory directors and development leaders.
• - Strategic planning and business development staff.

Common Issues Faced by R&D Departments

The seminar will discuss the critical challenges R&D organizations face today:

• - Deteriorating macro and micro environments affecting performance, including stagnating R&D investments and unmet executive expectations.
• - Organizational rigidity that leads to disconnects between business strategy and R&D output.

Lessons from Leading Companies

The seminar will also highlight success stories from pioneering companies like Hitachi, Chugai Pharmaceutical, and Fujifilm:

• - Hitachi's digital transformation strategy using Lumada for business model overhaul.
• - Chugai Pharmaceutical's innovative drug creation process driven by unique technologies.
• - Fujifilm's diversification into new sectors like healthcare to foster company growth.

Different Transformation Approaches

The seminar will outline a four-quadrant diagnostic tool for R&D organizations, delineating distinct paths for transformation based on productivity and vitality:

• - Growth Acceleration Type (Ideal): High on both productivity and vitality.
• - Self-Satisfied Type: High vitality but low productivity, necessitating theme reform.
• - Exhausted Type: High productivity but low vitality, requiring renewal initiatives.
• - Chaotic Type: Low on both dimensions, indicating a need for complete transformation.

Practical Steps for R&D Transformation

Attendees will leave with actionable insights and a sample roadmap for implementing changes in their own organizations:
1. Change the thematic focus through complex reform.
2. Energize R&D capabilities through innovative organizational techniques.
3. Redesign strategies to lead growth rather than react to it.

Closing and Insights

The seminar will conclude with a Q&A session, providing an opportunity for participants to exchange business cards and discuss individual challenges faced in their organizations. This event promises to be not only educational but also an excellent networking opportunity for R&D professionals across industries.

For more information or to register, please visit SSK's official website or contact the New Society System Research Institute at:

• - Email: [email protected]
• - Phone: 03-5532-8850

About New Society System Research Institute (SSK)

Founded in December 1996, SSK has organized approximately 500 seminars per year, providing crucial business information aimed at helping companies thrive in a rapidly changing environment. Through the sharing of high-level management strategies, marketing insights, and technological updates, SSK stands as a trusted knowledge partner for numerous organizations seeking growth and success.