When it comes to trade and commerce, we live in strange times. We are swimming against the tide of fake news, market manipulation, senseless tariffs and global uncertainty. Unchartered, shark infested waters. Good business news with optimistic outlooks are few and far between.
Last night, finally, some positivity. Once again, I was invited to the annual SEIKO dealers dinner, a rather low key, almost private event. Seiko’s way of saying ‘we appreciate your business’. A handful of top performing independent Seiko retailers, from all states, familiar faces, a friendly atmosphere.
The core message was delivered in a typical Japanese way: modestly, but to the point. The last financial year was Seiko Australia’s best on books. Seiko is not just doing great, but setting new sales records. It feels fantastic being a part of the winning team.
More good news; thanks to a decision made by Japanese headquarters, all the profit generated in Australia, stays in Australia. Seiko’s plan is to invest in advertising and training. Smart.
Yet the detail that impressed me the most: if you are a Seiko employee with 10 years of service, you are still a youngster. Most of their sales executives, sales reps, state managers and technicians have been with Seiko for fifteen, twenty and some even thirty years. In a world where corporate loyalty is measured in months, where climbing the ladder means relentless skips from job to job, Seiko employees are happy to stay, learn, be trained, remain loyal. To us, they come across as being genuinely fulfilled, rewarded and excited. Their contribution is appreciated and valued. What more can someone ask from their employer?
The unspoken words of the event were even more powerful. Not once was there a mention of competition, Switzerland, or other brands. True to its core founding value, from the days of Kintaro Hattori – “Always one step ahead of the rest.”
Powerful industry leaders lead, fearlessly. The Seiko way, for many decades to come.
