Abstract

Labor shortages, geopolitical risks, the AI revolution—in an era where "there's no future in a few years if things continue as they are," who will be the main drivers of growth? The answer lies in the approximately 9,000 companies that have graduated from being small and medium-sized enterprises and continue to grow.

This definitive guide thoroughly dissects the growth principles of these "mid-sized companies," which are attracting attention as "the force that will save Japan," through real-world case studies of 11 companies nationwide. Furthermore, it systematically incorporates the voices of top executives from companies such as Japanet and Unicharm, explanations from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and analyses from academia.

"We don't want to end up at this size, but we can't see the right answer"—this is a must-read for growth-oriented business managers, successors, and executives.

Not difficult theories, but language that can be used on the ground. In a way that can be considered as "personal" matters. A "textbook" for aiming for the next stage of growth.

Author’s Information

Nikkei Top Leader: A management magazine (published by Nikkei BP) that provides "learning" that leads to solving the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. It was founded in 1984 as "Nikkei Venture" and changed its name to "Nikkei Top Leader" in 2009. Committed to the growth of business leaders, it interviews and explains in an easy-to-understand manner the unique ideas of leading business leaders and the unique systems that support highly profitable companies.