Suntory … Unleashing the spirit of “Mizu to Ikiru”

November 30, 2021 at Online (invitation only)

Download the masterclass Leading the Future by Peter Fisk.  

Suntory Group is a leading drinks, food and health business, with annual revenues of $19.2 billion.

The diverse portfolio ranges from award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki and Hibiki, The Premium Malt’s beer, and iconic American spirits Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark to non-alcoholic favourites Orangina, Lucozade, Ribena, TEA plus, BOSS coffee, Iyemon tea, and Suntory Tennensui water. Suntory also produces wellness products and operates a flower business.

Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a multi-national corporation, with operations across the world. It took 46 years to make its first profit, such is the long-term vision of the business.

Suntory is driven by “Yatte Minahare” – the spirit of bold ambition – and the group’s 37,745 employees worldwide draw upon a unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.

The group is committed to our founding promise to coexist with people and nature: protecting water resources, nurturing our communities and fostering the arts. It believes “we grow for good together when we stay true to ourselves and pursue the paths that nature intended.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j5VWfsmvA8

Suntory’s Promise … “Mizu To Ikiru”, meaning living with water, is the promise to consumers … forging greater bonds of appreciation between people and the world around them, we will promote richer, more fulfilling lives, to inspire the brilliance of life. More about Suntory’s Mizu to Ikuri 

Suntory’s Mission … “Creating harmony with people and nature” is why the group exists … or more practically, to make a positive impact on society and the environment.

Suntory’s Vision …  “Growing for good” is what the group seeks to achieve … recognising that the larger the group becomes, the more positive impact it can have.

Suntory’s Values … “Yatte Minahare” meaning to have bold ambition, while also giving back to society.

Suntory’s Way … Nature, Humanity, Consumer, Quality, Challenger

Global Leadership Forum

The workshop for global leaders sets out to bring these inspiring yet diverse philosophies together, to make them practical, distinctive and profitable for Suntory’s businesses across the world.

Inspired by some of the world’s most innovative companies, we explore what it really means to create brands that deliver “the brilliance of life”, and a business built on “growing for good”.

 

Here’s a sneak preview:

Background

Coca Cola: With more than 1.9 billion drinks served every day Coke is one of the world’s largest beverage companies. From its humble beginnings selling a single product at a drugstore for 5 cents a glass, the company now has a roster of 200 brands that includes Coke, Fanta, and Sprite. But with health and wellness trends on the rise, the company has been forced to pivot. CEO James Quincey describes why innovation matters more than ever, but not just in products:

 

Adidas: Since 1973, the iconic Stan Smith has more or less stayed the same. But now, Stan Smith sneakers need to change. Committed to help end plastic waste, and without sacrificing the infamous design, adidas reinvented the Stan Smith by using Mylo, alternative leather-like material made from mushroom roots, and a series of other high-performance recycled materials. Bringing style and sustainability together, and creating a better business for the world.

Danone: The French food business wants to make its products more appealing to health-conscious consumers by going deeper into the hidden world of plants. The world’s largest yogurt maker is broadening a deal with San Francisco-based Brightseed, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to uncover molecules in plants that have direct links to human health. The partnership, which is expanding from just North America to include Danone’s global supply chain, is the latest example of “food as medicine,” a growing movement that intends to blur the lines of pharmacology, nutrition and sustainability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJehWuDKoHo

Pernod Ricard: Absolut, Beefeater, Chivas are just a few of their brands, with a shared mission “to bring good times to a good place”.  As “Créateurs de Convivialité” the purpose is to turn every social interaction into a genuine, friendly, and responsible experience of sharing. It’s strategy is built around 4 “Essentials”, based on historic strengths (operations, talents, sustainability, channels), and 4 Accelerators to meet evolving consumer needs (portfolio, digital, innovative experiences, premium/luxury).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG9OWnP8lvQ

Unilever: “Sustainable Living” has become the core strategy of Unilever in recent years. Take the beauty business. “Positive Beauty” is about building a more inclusive vision of beauty for people and the planet. That’s why they’ve removed the word ‘normal’ from beauty products and advertising, all over the world – to do less harm but also to do more good through beauty and personal care brands. To be both people positive and planet positive.

 

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