You may know SASAL, INC as your strategy consulting firm, but do you actually know who is behind it? In this CEO Interview, discover more about who created SASAL INC, what its origins are, and what its goals are.

What is the meaning of the company’s name?

Actually, I don’t think anyone knows that, mostly if Japanese is not a language one understands, but SASAL comes from the Japanese term “sasaeru” (支える), which means “to support.” As a strategy consultant, my primary goal is always to support and assist my clients the best way I can with each problem they may encounter, so I named my company SASAL.

CEO Background

I was born in Miyazaki, Japan, and I have been interested in the global culture ever since I was young. My family was poor because my father built his corporation because of layoffs; however, his business didn’t work well. Therefore, there was not much of a learning environment, and sometimes I got hives throughout my examination season. Through this, I thought I did not want to put my future children through the same financial situation I had lived in after growing up. In conclusion, I am grateful to my parents for bringing me up to be a self-reliant person. After studying in Kumamoto, I started my university career at Hiroshima University after studying as a gap year student. During my time at the University, I had several part-time jobs and realized that even if I worked hard, I would not be able to get enough money. I need to manage my daily life with part-time fees because there is no allowance from my parents. Therefore, I had to earn money to cover my living expenses. Through this activity, I realized if I became a full-time job, I would not get much money. For this reason, while still a student, I decided to build my own company in the future.

For those reasons, I started my first career in a small corporation to acquire the skills of a small business, and then I moved to Accenture. Generally, in a consulting firm, transfer between departments is hard, but in my case, I didn’t apply overtime fees in my mind & worked harder; fortunately, I got an invitation, and I’m extending my career beyond the department. I tried IT consulting in this company and then transferred to Strategy Project. In the Strategy Project, I made a strategy proposal for each client through research and used the already established financial model to calculate the Future Value and Current Value of the corporation. Fortunately, I was able to work with the Managing Director of the Strategy department, which was really intelligent for me because they have a lot of knowledge. However, I felt there was no opportunity to expand my international career, so I left the corporation and built an incorporation in the US. I’m not an intelligent career, and sometimes more knowledgeable people deny me; I know already about that; however, I’m able to change the future by myself, and I have the toughness to learn. For me, everything is a continuous learning experience, and even if my title becomes CEO, that is just a title; I would like to keep working hard and never forget my attitude toward learning.

US CEO Mindset

The number of Japanese CEO in the United States is low. According to LinkedIn information, that rate is estimated at around 660. That is 0.0005% (US Japanese CEO / Japanese Population), including Japanese Americans. Therefore, the actual rate will be smaller. While Asians, including Japanese, comprise a significant portion of non-white CEOs in the U.S., they still represent a small fraction of the overall CEO population. In 2024, Asians accounted for 55% of non-white CEOs at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies. However, this includes individuals from various Asian backgrounds, not just Japanese.

As a pure Japanese person, I want to be a leading person in the United States market. I’m a native Japanese. I’ve never been abroad as an exchange student, and I’m not highly educated; however, if you have a goal, you can achieve it. I’ll continue to challenge the United States market as a businessperson.

After I started my business in the United States, the opportunity to talk with Americans will increase. Americans are very casual and kind compared with the Japanese; actually, in my understanding, Americans are able to share kindness naturally compared with the Japanese. They tell us their demand directly; therefore, I don’t need to waste time because of the ambiguous communication like Japanese. They always tell us their opinions directly. Therefore, I’m able to communicate with them with respect.

SASAL, INC Mindset

SASAL, INC. pays attention to the clear cost. Consulting firms generally decide that the cost depends on the current corporation’s situation and client budget. That is not formal, and in the worst case, they show the proposal, but that is past or so different region’s past case. But they didn’t show this to the client. SASAL, INC pays attention to the clear cost system and value to the client. Hence, SASAL shows the cost on our webpage for contracting the same cost to each client. When SASAL proposes the new proposal as a corporation to the corporation, we also pay attention to the proposal. SASAL shows this proposal to the client on the webpage by templating ahead for the clear cost system. Thank you.

SASAL, INC would like to be a real strategy consulting company. SASAL doesn’t need capital like investment corporations because it wants to grow its client corporation through honest support. SASAL, INC is not an investment company; however, our minds come from an investment company. To respect the direction of each corporation, SASAL would like to provide a strong strategy product that depends on each corporation’s phase to maximize synergy. SASAL’s strategy product is calculated in each corporation’s phase; therefore, when you can pay the money for the particular product, your corporation becomes bigger. If you share the capital with the Found, sometimes you must change the corporation’s direction for capital reasons. Some investment companies do not have much knowledge, but they pretend to be professional compared with the invested company because they have the money as a corporation. In that case, if the invested corporation gets the money from the investment after that, they need to teach the investor that it is a waste of time. In addition, as a strategy firm, they really lack the knowledge when the corporation tries new business. In that case, even if the corporation gets the investment from the fund, the invested corporation cannot handle the money, which means the plan will break. In that case, the only thing left is a lack of trust; to escape that, SASAL would like to give the true knowledge, which means the knowledge of the” power to make money.” As a true strategy consulting firm, SASAL operates with the mind of an investment company.

Also, SASAL’s Value Chain comes from software corporations. After the CEO operated the corporation, SASAL made contracts with Google and Microsoft. Microsoft’s customer service is excellent; the client can work with Microsoft employees for only $100. For the client only paying $100/month, we are able to get 24×7 support, which is excellent. That is realized because the client is already paying for strong Microsoft products instead of the human resource fee like consulting. Therefore, by providing a strong product, SASAL, INC would like to operate a strategy consulting firm like a software corporation. I know there is a hierarchy in consulting firms or other corporations; however, essentially, all people are equal because the value of humans will change because of the demand following the place.

FUTURE & GOALS

Letter for everyone

Now everyone knows SASAL is a small corporation. Every corporation started small. Therefore, I’m really interested in the future figures of SASAL, INC. Looking back, I can see the progress and everything I have built. In the future, I wish to grow even more, not only in terms of notoriety but humanly. I am looking forward to employing more people from various backgrounds and with common goals as mine, as well as developing more skills along the way. SASAL, INC is on its way to becoming something big. I can sense it, and I wish to thank those who trust it and who believe in this project.　Our corporation wishes to help clients increase their own value. It is our mission.

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Digital Business Strategy

A digital business strategy is a plan for using digital technologies to achieve a business’s goals. Digital strategies can help businesses improve their performance and create new competitive advantages. They can also help businesses stay current and future-proof.

IT Strategy

An IT strategy, or information technology strategy, is a written plan that outlines how an organization will use technology to achieve its business goals. It’s a key component of a business plan and is also known as a technology strategy or IT technology strategic plan.

Technology strategy

A technology strategy is a plan that outlines how a company will use technology to achieve its business goals. It includes objectives, principles, and tactics for using technology to support the business’s operations. 

Design Strategy

Design strategy is a systematic approach that aligns a company’s mission and vision with the design of its products or services. It involves creating guiding principles that inform design decisions, ensuring the final product meets both business objectives and user needs. Key components include setting clear business goals, understanding the target audience through user research, and establishing design principles that ensure consistency. The process also involves prototyping, testing, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Evaluation and iteration are crucial, using key performance indicators to measure success and continuously improve the strategy. A well-defined design strategy helps avoid costly mistakes, provides clear direction, and offers a competitive advantage by differentiating the product in the market.

UX Strategy

UX strategy is a comprehensive plan that aligns business goals with user needs to create a seamless and enjoyable product experience. It involves thorough research and analysis to understand the target audience, setting clear objectives, and designing user-centric solutions. Key components include user research, competitive analysis, defining user personas, and mapping user journeys. The process also involves wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to refine the design. Implementation focuses on collaboration with developers and continuous improvement based on user feedback. A strong UX strategy ensures products are not only functional but also delightful, leading to higher user satisfaction and loyalty.

Business Intelligence Strategy

A business intelligence (BI) strategy is a plan for how a company will use data to make better decisions and achieve business goals. A BI strategy is important because it ensures that data and analytics support a company’s business strategy, and it can help a company gain a competitive advantage. 

Integration Strategy

Integration strategy is a planned approach that combines different systems, processes, technologies, or companies to work together seamlessly and efficiently. It aims to create a unified framework where various components communicate and operate cohesively. There are two main types of integration strategies: vertical and horizontal. Vertical integration involves gaining control over suppliers (backward integration) or distribution channels (forward integration), while horizontal integration involves merging with competitors to increase market share.

Key components of an integration strategy include assessing business needs and goals, evaluating system complexity and compatibility, analyzing data and workflows, and ensuring scalability and flexibility. The advantages of integration strategy include operational efficiency, cost savings, increased market power, and improved supply chain security. However, it also presents challenges such as resource strain, management complexity, and reduced flexibility.

A well-executed integration strategy can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase market influence, but it requires careful planning and management to navigate its complexities and achieve long-term success.

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Reference： What is the Japanese market?

JETRO：https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/modelcase.html

Organizational strategy

Organizational strategy is a long-term plan that outlines how a company will allocate its resources to achieve its goals and objectives. It includes defining the mission and vision, setting clear and measurable goals, allocating resources effectively, and developing detailed strategic plans. This strategy ensures alignment across the organization, improves decision-making, optimizes resource use, and provides a competitive advantage. While implementing an organizational strategy can be challenging due to change management and communication issues, its benefits make it essential for achieving long-term business success.

Strategic entrepreneurship

For right business operation, entrepreneurs need to understand right understanding of the business as an entrepreneurial strategy. Entrepreneurial strategy is a comprehensive plan that guides startups from idea to success. It includes defining a unique value proposition, targeting specific market segments, developing a go-to-market strategy, choosing a revenue model, analyzing competitors, ensuring scalability, managing risks, and staying adaptable through continuous innovation. This strategic approach helps entrepreneurs navigate challenges and build sustainable businesses.

Diversification in business

Diversification in business is a strategy where a company expands by adding new products, services, or markets to reduce risk and increase profitability. It can be concentric (related industries), horizontal (unrelated but similar industries), or conglomerate (completely different industries). This approach helps spread risk, open new revenue streams, and capitalize on market opportunities but requires careful resource allocation and management to avoid overextending the business.

Training strategies

Training strategies are systematic plans designed to enhance employees’ skills, knowledge, and competencies. They involve conducting needs assessments, setting clear learning objectives, and using various training methods such as e-learning, workshops, and on-the-job training. Effective training strategies improve performance, increase employee retention, and provide a competitive advantage. However, they require significant resources, engagement efforts, and regular evaluation to ensure they meet organizational goals.

Framework for HR

https://www.aihr.com/blog/human-resources-models

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• In this service all the information is written in PPT for sharing the information in your corporation.
• The meeting is estimated to be at least 1 per week and at most 1 per day. SASAL can follow clients’ pace.

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The importance of the optimization

Why is optimization essential?

Optimization offers several key benefits for corporations: it increases efficiency by streamlining processes and reducing waste, leading to more productive use of resources and time. It also reduces operational costs by identifying and eliminating inefficiencies. Optimization enhances decision-making through data-driven insights, ensuring effective resource allocation. It improves competitiveness by enabling quicker responses to market changes and better meeting customer demands. Additionally, optimization aids in risk management by identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies, thereby enhancing business stability. Lastly, it promotes sustainability by optimizing resource use and reducing waste, helping companies meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations. Overall, optimization enables corporations to operate more effectively, reduce costs, and improve their competitive edge.

Optimization is crucial for corporations as it increases efficiency by streamlining processes and reducing waste, leading to higher productivity. It also reduces operational costs by identifying and eliminating inefficiencies, freeing up capital for strategic initiatives. Optimization enhances decision-making through data-driven insights, ensuring effective resource allocation. It improves competitiveness by enabling quicker responses to market changes and better meeting customer demands. Additionally, optimization aids in risk management by identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies, enhancing business stability. Lastly, it promotes sustainability by optimizing resource use and reducing waste, helping companies meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations. Overall, optimization enables corporations to operate more effectively, reduce costs, and improve their competitive edge.

Cost Focus Strategy / Cost Leadership Strategy

Competitive Advantage in Strategic Management refers to the attributes that allow an organization to outperform its competitors. Competitive advantage can be achieved through cost leadership (offering lower prices), differentiation (offering unique products or services), or focusing on a niche market. Sustaining competitive advantage requires continuous innovation and adaptation to market changes. For instance, a company might invest in research and development to create innovative products that differentiate it from competitors.

A cost focus strategy is called low-cost strategy also. Low cost strategy is an approach where a company focuses on reducing its costs to offer products or services at lower prices than competitors. This strategy aims to become the cost leader in the industry, attracting price-sensitive customers and increasing market share. Key elements include operational efficiency, which streamlines processes to reduce waste and improve productivity; economies of scale, where producing large volumes spreads fixed costs over more units, reducing the cost per unit; supply chain optimization, which minimizes costs related to procurement, transportation, and warehousing; and cost control, which keeps a tight rein on expenses across all areas, including marketing, distribution, and packaging. Companies like Walmart, McDonald’s, and Amazon have successfully implemented low-cost strategies to maintain competitive pricing and attract a broad customer base. A cost focus strategy involves a company targeting a specific market segment and becoming the lowest-cost producer within that niche. By focusing on a particular group of customers, the company can tailor its operations to reduce costs and offer lower prices than competitors. Examples include budget airlines that operate on specialized routes and discount retailers that cater to price-sensitive shoppers.

A cost leadership strategy is a business approach where a company aims to become the lowest-cost producer in its industry. This involves several key elements: operational efficiency, which streamlines internal processes to reduce waste and improve productivity; economies of scale, where producing large volumes spreads fixed costs over more units, reducing the cost per unit; supply chain optimization, which minimizes costs related to procurement, transportation, and warehousing; and cost control, which keeps a tight rein on expenses across all areas, including marketing, distribution, and packaging. Companies that successfully implement this strategy can offer their products or services at lower prices than their competitors, attracting price-sensitive customers and increasing market share. Examples of companies that have effectively used this strategy include Walmart, McDonald’s, and Amazon.

Sources of Competitive Advantage are the factors that allow a company to produce goods or services better or more cheaply than its rivals. Common sources include unique resources (e.g., patents, proprietary technology), efficient processes (e.g., lean manufacturing), strong brand reputation, and superior customer service. Identifying and leveraging these sources is key to maintaining a competitive edge. For example, a company might use its strong brand reputation to command premium prices.

Optimization’s ways

Cost Reduction Strategy

A cost reduction strategy is a plan to lower business costs by improving operational efficiency, sourcing modifications, process improvements, and eliminating unnecessary expenses. The goal is to enhance profitability by reducing the overall cost structure without compromising quality. Techniques include renegotiating supplier contracts, adopting new technologies, and streamlining processes. A cost-reduction strategy is the same as a Cost-cutting strategy. Cost-cutting strategies are specific actions taken to reduce expenses and improve the bottom line. Common strategies include vendor management (negotiating better terms), outsourcing at a lower cost, reducing staff size, adjusting employee compensation, and cutting down on benefits. The aim is to achieve immediate cost savings while maintaining operational efficiency. Cost avoidance involves proactive measures to prevent future costs from occurring. Unlike cost savings, which reduce current expenses, cost avoidance focuses on eliminating potential future costs. Examples include investing in energy-efficient equipment to avoid higher utility bills, scheduling maintenance during low-demand periods to avoid production downtime, and negotiating long-term contracts to lock in stable prices.

Strategic Sourcing Process is a systematic approach to procurement that aims to optimize an organization’s supply base and improve overall value. It involves steps like analyzing spend data, conducting market research, developing sourcing strategies, negotiating with suppliers, and managing supplier relationships. The goal is to achieve cost savings, improve quality, and ensure a reliable supply of goods and services. For example, a company might use e-auctions to negotiate better prices with suppliers.

Retrenchment strategy

A retrenchment strategy is a corporate approach aimed at reducing the size or scope of a company’s operations to improve financial performance. It includes various methods such as turnaround, divestment, closure, liquidation, and downsizing. The main goal is to cut costs, streamline operations, and focus on core business activities, helping the company stabilize financially and position itself for long-term success.

Strategic Supply Chain Management involves designing and managing supply chains to align with the company’s strategic goals. This includes optimizing logistics, improving supplier relationships, and integrating technology to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. For example, companies might use advanced analytics to forecast demand more accurately or implement just-in-time inventory systems to reduce holding costs. The focus is on creating a resilient supply chain that can adapt to market changes and disruptions while delivering value to customers.

Procurement strategy

A procurement strategy is a structured plan that guides an organization’s purchasing process to align with its business needs. The goal is to ensure the efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable acquisition of goods or services essential for the organization’s operations. Key elements include analyzing company expenditure to identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvements; establishing business needs to support operations and growth; evaluating market dynamics using tools like SWOT analysis and Porter’s Five Forces; specifying precise goals with SMART objectives; formulating procurement policies to ensure ethical practices and sustainability; drafting a detailed procurement strategy that includes supplier selection, negotiation tactics, and risk management; and designing a digital procurement strategy to enhance cost savings, decision-making, and vendor relationships.

Distribution Strategy

Distribution Strategy determines how a company delivers its products or services to customers. It involves selecting the right distribution channels, such as direct sales, wholesalers, or online platforms, managing logistics, and ensuring that products are available where and when customers need them. Effective distribution strategies balance cost, speed, and customer satisfaction. For instance, a company might use a mix of physical stores and e-commerce to reach a broader audience.

Distribution Channel Strategy focuses on the pathways through which products move from the manufacturer to the end consumer. It involves selecting and managing a mix of direct and indirect channels to maximize market reach and efficiency. The goal is to ensure that products are available to customers in the most convenient and cost-effective manner. For example, a company might use a combination of distributors, retailers, and online platforms to reach different customer segments.

SASAL, INC Supports

• In this service all the information is written in PPT for sharing the information in your corporation.
• The meeting is estimated to be at least 1 per week and at most 1 per day. SASAL can follow clients’ pace.

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