« Coffee with the CEO / Kensaku Konishi - Canon India
Kensaku Konishi is the President and CEO of Canon India. Having worked with Canon for more than 20 years across different countries, Konishi now oversees the company's management and business operations in India. The workosaur team caught up with him and sought his words of wisdom for our readers.
In conversation with Kensaku Konishi on June 11, 2009
- Workosaur: Tell us about your career journey. How did you get to being where you are?
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Kensaku Konishi:
I joined Canon in 1978 after graduating from Waseda University and after four years I was offered my first foreign assignment to Australia. Thereafter I have been assigned five different countries and seven cities. Just recently, I was in Singapore then on to Hong Kong and in 2007, I came to New Delhi, India.
- Workosaur: Could you share 3 of the most memorable moments of your illustrious career?
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Kensaku Konishi:
My first memorable moment was in Hong Kong, we inaugurated Asia’s first and biggest revolving Neon Sign in the busy city of Kowloon, which took two years and an investment of US$ 10 Million.
The second one has taken place in Canon India this year, wherein the company has been rated as one of the “Best Companies to work for in India” by Business Today magazine.
There is a third experience as well; however, I would like to keep it confidential.
- Workosaur: What advice would you give to someone who aspires a top management/CxO profile?
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Kensaku Konishi:
I would look for the following personality traits in a would be CXO:
1. Confidence
2. Attitude to enable people do their work easily without overtly trying to control.
3. Taking responsibility for final results.
4. A bit like a flexible driver, who reaches his destination depending upon the situation and road conditions.
