Business-Do: The Way to Successful Leadership

Rakuten Founder & CEO Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani has released his third book in English, Business-Do: The Way to Successful Leadership. Paying homage to Japan’s ethos of quality and discipline, this book shares 89 principles Mikitani has gathered over the course of his remarkable career.

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Practical advice for your personal journey

Business-Do is your personal handbook for achieving happiness by systematically turning your dreams into reality. Success looks different to everyone, but author Hiroshi Mikitani exemplifies its essential, universal qualities: as the founder and CEO of Rakuten, Mikitani is a self-made entrepreneur who became Japan’s leader in the new global economy—a journey that made him a billionaire. In this book, he shows you how to achieve your own version of success in work and in life.

Cleaning your workspace is a simple, easy way to remind yourself that you value the work you are doing. It sets the stage, both physically and mentally, for you to achieve something great. Value the space you are in. Take the moment, put it on your calendar, make it a ritual. Do this and I am sure you will be successful. – Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani, Business-Do

Paying homage to Japan’s ethos of quality and discipline, this book shares 89 principles Mikitani has gathered over the course of his remarkable career. These thought-provoking, action-oriented rules show you everything from how useful your dreams are, to the best way to harness the internet, to what management techniques work to the importance of self-improvement. The result: your own powerful, personal playbook straight from the mind of an inspirational trailblazer.

Mikitani guided Rakuten from its 1997 foundation to become one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms, with a still rapidly-expanding global footprint reaching industries including fintech, messaging, digital content, and even drones. This book describes the ideas, thoughts, actions, and philosophies that drove Mikitani to the top.

Discover the myriad ways in which the internet is fundamentally transforming the world
Learn from a blend of Japanese discipline and commitment to quality and the Silicon Valley approach to business, where collaboration and agility are essential and lucrative
Adopt data-driven management techniques that constantly question, constantly improve, and empower people to exceptional performance
Share in Mikitani’s optimistic vision, and his industry-specific predictions

Happiness is something you live every day. It is both the result and the critical ingredient of success, and there is plenty to go around. Business-Do gives you the principles you need on your own journey to success.

Business-Do Reviews

“Great learners make great teachers, and Mickey is one of the most committed learners I know. Here, he shares the rules, values, and strategies for business success that helped him become one of the world’s leading Internet entrepreneurs. Highly recommended!”

—Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and co-author of the New York Times bestsellers The Alliance and The Startup of You“

“A “sense of accomplishment” is not an empty expression but a feeling much more profound than the one you experience in response to a financial reward. It’s even deeper when we achieve something together with our colleagues.” - Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani, Business-Do — “A “sense of accomplishment” is not an empty expression but a feeling much more profound than the one you experience in response to a financial reward. It’s even deeper when we achieve something together with our colleagues.” – Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani, Business-Do

In Business-Do, Mikitani-san illuminates a pathway for anyone to achieve business success. He mines his rich experience over the last 20 years building one of the world’s most amazing companies to reveal his guiding principles for turning dreams into reality. Mickey is creating the next generation of Japanese management excellence: a disciplined, collaborative work ethic and a mindset and passion to challenge the unknown and create new value that contributes to the world’s overall happiness. Don’t miss out on learning from a true master of the art and science of business.”

—Marc Benioff, Chairman and CEO, Salesforce

“My co-founder and I benefit every day from Mickey’s leadership rules. He has the rare ability to combine humble servant leadership with aggressive action and appropriate risk taking. This book provides a fantastic guide for entrepreneurs and managers by outlining principles that have made Mickey one of the world’s most respected global business leaders. Leadership of the future must be more like Mickey’s: human, respectful, flexible, and persistent.”

—John Zimmer, Lyft Co-founder and President

“Business-Do is packed with practical tips for running a business as well as Mickey’s personal philosophy for work and life. His wisdom is relevant for startups and established companies alike.”

—Ben Silbermann, CEO, Pinterest

More from the author

The Power to Compete

Father and son – entrepreneur and economist – search for Japan’s economic cure. The Power to Compete tackles the issues central to the prosperity of Japan – and the world – in search of a cure for the “Japan Disease.”

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The CEO behind Rakuten and Kobo reveals how his unique approach to empowerment and collaboration defies conventional wisdom, and is the future of growth and globalization strategy.

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About the author

Rakuten Founder and CEO Hiroshi "Mickey" Mikitani bio photo

Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani is the founder, chairman and CEO of Rakuten, Inc. Founded in Japan in 1997 with the mission to contribute to society by creating value through innovation and entrepreneurship, Rakuten has grown to become one of the world’s leading internet services companies, ranking in the top 30 in Forbes’ annual list of The World’s Most Innovative Companies every year since 2012.

Rakuten has a dynamic ecosystem of more than 70 services, spanning e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications, bringing the joy of discovery to more than 1.1 billion members across the world

In July 2017, Rakuten became the Main Global Partner and first-ever Official Innovation & Entertainment Partner of one of the world’s most admired soccer clubs, FC Barcelona, and, in September of the same year, became the first-ever jersey partner for NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors.

Rakuten shares were listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2013 and in 2016 it was selected for listing in the Nikkei 225 Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index.

Born in Kobe, Mikitani was educated at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, began his career in investment banking, and earned his MBA at Harvard Business School. In 2012, he was awarded the HBS Alumni Achievement Award, one of the school’s highest honors.

Mikitani is also a recipient of the Legion of Honour, awarded by the French government in recognition of contributions to the economy and culture of France. In 2011, he was appointed Chairman of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, which has the longest history and tradition of any orchestra in Japan, and serves as Representative Director of the Japan Association of New Economy (JANE).

He lives in Tokyo with his wife and two children.