Name: Takahisa Karita

Title: Official Member and Contributor

Organisation: Forbes Business Council

Takahisa Karita is a serial entrepreneur who has a stellar vision and an unbeatable spirit. He is the co-founder of UNIPLAT, a platform that supports +120000 entrepreneurs and researchers from over 134 countries to collaborate and access global opportunities as of August 2023.

He is also a member of Forbes Business Council, where he shares his insights and expertise with other leaders and influencers.

As the CFO of CDTEC China, a leading education technology company that serves more than 5,000 kindergartens in mainland China, he oversees the financial and business development strategies of the company. He is also an advisor board member of several organizations, such as Tsangs Group, S2P Prosperity, Chemiteras Inc., and others, where he leverages his investment and industry knowledge to help them grow and innovate. He is passionate about creating value and impact with technology and fostering social responsibility and sustainability. And He is the “Most Influential Entrepreneurs from Japan to watch in 2022” by APAC entrepreneur, “Top 10 Business Leaders to Watch on 2023” by International Business Times, Honorees“Who’s Who 2023 of the industries” by Unified Brainz, and Voice of Brilliance 2023 by Brilliance Magazine.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Takahisa's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

I believe that the most difficult task is to create a company that satisfies all of its stakeholders, including customers, employees, business partners, shareholders, and global and local communities.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

At first, I was operating as a sole proprietorship as a sports trainer, so as I expanded the scale of our business, and I had no desire to become a corporation. However, I believe that a corporation is just a vessel, and that it is necessary to properly deliver its services and products to the world.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

When I work from the office or home, I try to work in short bursts to suit my daily life pattern. When I am on a business trip, I intensively hold at least 5 or more meetings a day, and at most 12 meetings.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

There are two lessons. One is to maximize customer satisfaction when providing products and services, starting from scratch. Second, when I am unsure of a decision as a leader, I think about what kind of decision I would make if I was in a normal state of mind.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

The book is "The Art of Profitability" written by Mr. Adrian Slywotzky. I came across this book when I was in my early 30s, when I was just starting out as a representative. Through this book, I was able to develop a thinking framework for building business schemes that generate profits and satisfy all stakeholders. I still use the framework in this book as a foundation when conducting thought experiments for new projects.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Many young entrepreneurs subscribe to stories of successful people and books about success in order to achieve business success, but it is important to first understand that one's own circumstances are blessed. Just being alive right now is something to be grateful for. First of all, it is only when you have a foundation of gratitude for everything in the universe that we can begin to strive for upward mobility.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

As a leader, I have experienced so many times when business did not go well and I was saved by some force that was obviously not my own. For example, I may receive an extraordinary sale when cash is tight, or I may be able to meet someone I want to meet through an unexpected introduction route. I'm not a thinker or a religious person, but my motto is always to be grateful when it comes to these invisible forces.