Masayoshi Son

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• tracking performance indicators

  “I review our most important performance indicator, Net Asset Value (NAV), every day without fail. NAV represents shareholder value, calculated as the equity value of holdings minus net interest-bearing debt.”

  Our noteHe was explaining how he monitors SoftBank Group's value daily.

• humble company beginnings

  “When I first started the company, I only had two part-time workers and a small office. I got two apple boxes, and I stood up on them in the morning as if I was giving a speech.”

  Our noteHe was recalling the early days of starting SoftBank.

• setting ambitious goals

  “In five years, I'm going to have $75 million in sales. In five years, I will be supplying 1,000 dealer outlets, and we'll be number one in PC software distribution.”

  Our noteHe was describing the bold vision he shared with his first employees.

• long term commitment

  “One success measure was that I should fall in love with a particular business for the next 50 years at least. Very often, people get excited for the first few years, and then, after they see the reality, they get tired of the business.”

  Our noteHe was explaining how he chose which business idea to pursue.

• choosing growing industries

  “I wanted to pick a business where the business category itself would be growing for the next 30 to 50 years. I didn't want to choose a sinking ship.”

  Our noteHe was discussing his criteria for selecting a sustainable business model.

• redefining all industries

  “Every industry that mankind created will be redefined. The medical industry, automobile industry, the information industry of course. Every industry that mankind ever defined and created, even agriculture, will be redefined.”

  Our noteHe was predicting the massive impact of the Singularity on global business.

• focusing on growth

  “Despite people's view that SoftBank might be struggling, we continue to grow. Don't think about the past.”

  Our noteHe was addressing concerns about SoftBank's performance and future.

• Industry redefinition

  “Everything should be redefined. The way we use tools, the way we live, the way we produce, all of these will be transformed. Every industry will be redefined.”

  Our noteHe was describing the massive paradigm shift caused by AI.

• Competition and innovation

  “But the most important thing is that to have a more wonderful and richer life, we must also compete. Competition can get more stimulation, which will be the driving force for innovation and development.”

  Our noteHe was discussing the role of competition in human progress.

• Human adaptability

  “I am an optimist, okay. There will always be various problems in the future. But we humans are smart enough. We always try to adapt to new situations.”

  Our noteHe was expressing his positive outlook on the future of humanity.