I am Yoshida, president of Yamada Shusei Ltd., a professional apparel garment repair group in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture.
The issue of Prime Minister Ishiba distributing 100,000 yen worth of gift certificates to new lawmakers may seem like a political matter at first glance, but it also contains important lessons for small business owners. I have summarized three key points that small business owners can learn from this issue.
First, compliance with laws and regulations alone is not enough to earn trust.
Prime Minister Ishiba explains that the expenditure came from his own pocket money and is therefore legally acceptable, but he has been criticized for deviating from public ethical standards. In corporate management as well, it is necessary to always be aware of whether actions are acceptable in light of social norms and ethical standards, even if they are within the bounds of the law.
Second, you should be sensitive to discrepancies with social norms.
There were numerous complaints that a 100,000 yen gift certificate was too expensive as a dinner party souvenir and deviated from social norms. In management decisions, it is important to understand not only your company's logic but also the sensibilities of your customers and society as a whole.
Thirdly, the way an explanation is given can greatly affect the impression it leaves.
Prime Minister Ishiba's explanation, which has been described as “long-winded,” sounded like an excuse and drew criticism. When a problem arises, the first step toward restoring trust is to explain the facts sincerely and demonstrate a responsible attitude.
This issue serves as a reminder of the importance of ethics, social norms, and communication, regardless of the size of the company.
