Quest for Innovation - Life of Konosuke Matsushita

Business and religion cannot be same.  Business is to pursue for material prosperity.  On the other hand, religion is to pursue for the spiritual prosperity.  They are completely different but there was a man who realized Business and religion are both similar and important.  It was Mr. Konosuke Matsushita.

According to the life of Konosuke Matsushita, after visitation at a Shinto Shrine, he began to consider the similarities between religion and business management, saying, "Human beings need both material and spiritual prosperity. Religion guides people out of suffering toward happiness and peace of mind. And business, too, can contribute by providing physical necessities required for happiness. This should be its primary mission."

As a result of his experience, Konosuke assembled his employees on May 5, 1932 to make an announcement that was to guide the company for decades to come.

He said, "The mission of a manufacturer is to overcome poverty by producing an abundant supply of goods. Even though water can be considered a product, no one objects if a passerby drinks from a roadside tap. That is because the supply of water is plentiful and its price is low. Our mission as a manufacturer is to create material abundance by providing goods as plentifully and inexpensively as tap water. This is how we can banish poverty, bring happiness to people's lives, and make this world a better place."   This was when he was 37 years old.

As we all know his successful life after that, he left many inspiring messages and words.  After watching and reading the life of Mr. Matsushita, I have a feeling I got a reason why his words are so inspiring.  

(from Panasonic Konosuke Matsushita Museum)