#Hideo Okubo #Forval Vietnam #Japanese Management

Seminar Report: Forval Vietnam Hosts Hideo Okubo on Sustainable Business Practices

Forval, a next-generation consulting firm that visualizes ESG management, recently held seminars in Vietnam featuring Chairman Hideo Okubo. These events, conducted in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, aimed to share valuable management philosophies with the rapidly growing Vietnamese economy.

Background of the Seminar

In recent years, Vietnam has experienced unprecedented economic growth, leading to an increasing interest in sustainable management practices. Young entrepreneurs and executives are particularly drawn to Japanese management styles and philosophies. Recognizing this trend, Hoo Van Hong, a Vietnamese youth passionate about these principles, translated and published Okubo's management writings in Vietnamese. This initiative sparked widespread interest among business leaders in Vietnam, prompting the decision to invite Okubo for a speaking engagement.

The selected venue, the Vietnam-Japan Human Resources Cooperation Center (VJCC), is renowned for promoting human resource development between the two nations. This seminar, Okubo's first appearance in Vietnam, allowed many participants to grasp his management philosophy and implement it in their business practices. It's a significant step towards enhancing the relationship between Japan and Vietnam.

Highlights of the Lecture: The Essence of Sustainable Management

During the seminar, Okubo discussed the fundamentals of effective management, which he has refined over his 45 years of studying successful leaders. He emphasized several key points:

1. The Ultimate Goal of Business is Continuity - Profits are merely a means; true success lies in long-term sustainability. Okubo stated that the highest purpose of a company is not to generate profits but to ensure its continuity. Profits should only serve as tools to achieve this ultimate goal.

2. Prioritizing Social Value in Decision-Making - The priority for companies should be to contribute to society. Okubo highlighted that the correct order of business decision-making should prioritize social value first, followed by uniqueness and economic viability. The starting point for any enterprise must be about being of service to society rather than merely seeking profit.

3. Businesses as Public Entities - Companies exist to serve all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Okubo shared that firms should strive to be recognized as