Zennovation

Combining the principles of Eastern and Western business practices for powerful success As an entrepreneur, manager, and problem-solver, Tomio Taki has shared advice with businesspeople ranging from managers of mom-and-pops to high-powered executives from across the globe. The Innovation Instinct showcases the author's breadth of life experience and illustrates how the principles of Eastern and Western business practices can be meshed together as a powerful source for success. Lessons range from the benefits of asking the simple questions to the importance of establishing oneself and knowing when to go against the grain. Tomio Taki has consulted for, financed, or directly managed both private and public companies on nearly every continent. He has been involved in ventures ranging from being the man behind Donna Karen New York to owning and operating private golf clubs around the world. In short, Taki's business and related successes are striking, having helped companies rise from the ashes of potential bankruptcy to streamlining and growing corporate giants. The wisdom he shares in The Innovation Instinct includes: Language is less of an obstacle across borders; instead, cultural differences are what propel and vitiate communication among businesspersons Certain fundamental aspects of business and life cross latitudinal and longitudinal lines When businesspeople seek to understand the cultures of their counterparts, they will discover lasting success with their global business relationships.

Combining the principles of Eastern and Western businesspractices for powerful successAs an entrepreneur, manager, and problem-solver, Tomio Taki hasshared advice with businesspeople ranging from managers ofmom-and-pops to high-powered executives from across the globe.The Innovation Instinct showcases the author's breadth oflife experience and illustrates how the principles of Eastern andWestern business practices can be meshed together as a powerfulsource for success. Lessons range from the benefits of asking thesimple questions to the importance of establishing oneself andknowing when to go against the grain.Tomio Taki has consulted for, financed, or directly managed bothprivate and public companies on nearly every continent. He has beeninvolved in ventures ranging from being the man behind Donna KarenNew York to owning and operating private golf clubs around theworld. In short, Taki's business and related successes arestriking, having helped companies rise from the ashes of potentialbankruptcy to streamlining and growing corporate giants. The wisdomhe shares in The Innovation Instinct includes:* Language is less of an obstacle across borders; insteadcultural differences are what propel and vitiate communicationamong businesspersons* Certain fundamental aspects of business and life crosslatitudinal and longitudinal linesWhen businesspeople seek to understand the cultures of theircounterparts, they will discover lasting success with their globalbusiness relationships.

Preface ixIntroduction xiiiPART 1 JAPAN 1Chapter 1 Optimism, Entrepreneurship, and Raincoats 3Chapter 2 Losing My Father 21Chapter 3 Changing Takihyo with American Brashness 27Chapter 4 A New Takihyo Headquarters for a New Age 37Chapter 5 Expansion and Distribution Channel Management:The Late 1960s 51Chapter 6 Taki Gakuen and Asking the Simple Questions65WRAP UP JAPAN: RESPICE, ADSPICE, PROSPICE 73PART 2 UNITED STATES 85Chapter 7 The Break from Culture 93Chapter 8 Outside Factors Wound Takihyo 99Chapter 9 Now, the Good 109Chapter 10 The Lion 115Chapter 11 Negotiating for Anne Klein 125Chapter 12 Losing a Friend 133Chapter 13 Finding New Management 141Chapter 14 Growing Anne Klein 147Chapter 15 No Kickbacks 157Chapter 16 Elevating the Designer 163Chapter 17 DKNY--A New Brand, a Diffusion Line171Chapter 18 The Initial Public Offering of Donna KaranInternational 181WRAP UP AMERICA: RESPICE, ADSPICE, PROSPICE 191Conclusion: Zennovation in Retrospect 199Acknowledgments 209Index 211