Comments

Who knows? My own view is that it won't be easy however I wish him the very best of luck.

Posted by Andre Googe at March 7, 2005 1:18 PM

YES - Sony is heavy into responding to POPULAR CULTURE markets - and New York City is the capital of such.

Posted by Sean at March 7, 2005 1:40 PM

My thoughts are more about the challenges that a former CBS exec who thinks it's all about entertainment faces as he takes over a company that's all about electronics. In fact, I have a long essay on just what I think needs to be done to fix Sony on my own weblog:

http://www.intuitive.com/blog/some_tips_for_new_sony_ceo_howard_stringer.html

I'd welcome reaction and discussion!

Posted by Dave Taylor at March 7, 2005 2:36 PM

Sony will not survive for 36 months w/him as a CEO-- Why ? I dunno. when I figure it out I'll let you know.. me is running on gut instict only.

".. POPULAR CULTURE markets - and New York City is the capital of such." - Being in the capital of Pop culture will not help. Remember hellokitty which just turned 30 yrs ?? Well that culture began in Japan .. and today its still is a nice market niche !! Where did NYC fit into that paradigm of pop culture or did it ever ??? :)-

Posted by /pd at March 7, 2005 3:55 PM

I think it is going to be very difficult for Stringer to succeed in Japan living in New York. Stringer is being awarded this position based on his success in the U.S. I think this is due in part to him being located in the U.S. I think it is going to be very difficult for him to replicate this success in Japan without moving there. Of course, I could be wrong.

Posted by Troy Worman at March 8, 2005 1:02 AM

I think he will do an excellent job. He's Welsh and did just fine the in the United States. Also, business and the pursuit of money know no boundaries. In this not so new era of globalization we should not be surprised at this kind of thing. Cultural differences are passe.

Posted by Brian Wood at March 8, 2005 1:42 AM

Carlos Ghosn anyone? They said a foreigner could never survive the insular Japanese culture, and most especially in the highly complex manufacturing environment. While I don't know much about this Stringer character, we know that a foreigner's success in Japan can be done.

Posted by fredd Kambo at March 8, 2005 4:37 AM

Can't agree with you Tom, just look at Carlos Ghosn at Nissan.

Posted by Richard Armytage at March 8, 2005 4:54 AM

I think he will not succeed. Language & culture will be there to make it difficult for him. And how will he be able to Manage (In Japan) By Walking Around?

Posted by roy at March 8, 2005 7:16 AM

I think there are not too many options for sony, but to name a foreigner and locate him in nyc or berlin or another speed/creativity town. They probably feel samsungs breath in their necks and without this decision it would be even more difficult to stay cool and creative fore sony. It will be interesting to see, if the organisation will (be able to) follow the move.

Posted by frank schrader at March 8, 2005 10:13 AM

Let me think back 30-40 years ago...."Can a non-american company, penetrate an american marketplace,with a non-american and non english speaking president and workforce? Can it survice outside of Japan? Sony could never survive outside of Japan; could it? I think they have some experience here; or is talent? Which do you choose? Talent over experience; right?

Posted by PJA at March 8, 2005 1:28 PM

Content has to prevail over hardware as a competitive advantage, as hardware is becoming a commodity (bet you didn't know that!). Because of this, it makes sense that Sir Howard becomes CEO - Japanese or not.
BTW, I enjoyed working at Sony quite a few years ago.

Posted by Gabriel Salcido at March 9, 2005 12:05 AM

at least it is interesing to see if any of japanese companies (toyota included) can be a global one. almost all of them, no matter how large they are, are quite "domestic" in terms of management, culture, the way it operates. Sony is one of a very few candidates of exception.

Posted by kenjimori at March 9, 2005 12:58 AM

Would we be asking this question if a Japanese executive is named to run HP?

Posted by fred at March 13, 2005 8:27 PM

The American Way - on the face, closed (we often seem like horrible jerks to outsiders), but we'll take almost anybody and call them an American if they're willing.

Nihon-jin-ron - On the face, open (Any cultural icon is fair game, guests made to feel honored and well treated), but outsiders are seldom seen as even being able to understand the Japanese way let alone be called Japanese.

Fred, great question, completely irrelevant.

Posted by Jason Kerr at March 21, 2005 6:23 AM