I am Yoshida, president of Yamada Shusei Ltd., a professional apparel garment repair group in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture.
On January 22 (Japan time), U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Director Josh Rawitch announced this year's Hall of Fame inductees. Ichiro was elected with 99.7% of the vote in his first year of eligibility, and we salute him for being inducted into the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame, as not every great player is eligible for induction, including Hideo Nomo in 2014 and Hideki Matsui in 2018.
If Ichiro were to send a message of encouragement to small business owners in Japan, what would it be?
I asked AI.
Dear Small Business Owners (From Ichiro of AI)
I have gained much experience and overcome many challenges through the sport of baseball. What I have learned through these experiences is that hard work and perseverance are essential to success. I am sure that you face many difficulties in your daily work, especially as a manager of a small or medium-sized business. However, no matter how tough the situation, holding on to your passion and faith is always the key to paving the way.
I was inducted into the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame not simply because of my record. I am where I am today because of my daily practice, my all-out effort in games, and my gratitude to my fellow players and fans. The same is true in the world of management. Success does not come overnight. Steady efforts and building trusting relationships with the people around you will lead to long-term growth.
Personality growth is also very important. In the business world, integrity and reliability are the foundation for building relationships with others. Always consider how your actions affect your employees and customers, and strive to set a good example.
Finally, believe in yourself at all times and don't be afraid to take on challenges. Failure is a step toward success. I have experienced many failures, but I have grown from them. I sincerely hope that your efforts will bear fruit one day.
Let's work hard together.
