Management Solutions (MSOL) Releases Report on 'Organizations that Make Decisions by Working Backwards from the Future'

Management Solutions Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, Chairman and President: Shinya Takahashi; hereinafter 'MSOL') has released a seminar report on a talk titled '[Talk by Koichiro Kido, Former Rakuten Executive and Entrepreneur in His 40s]: Decision-making that empowered 400 people and how to create a high-energy organization that embraces down-to-earth effort,' which was held on May 13th for executives struggling with decision-making amid market changes and leaders aiming to foster an organizational culture of voluntary challenge.

The report introduces methods for 'decision-making working backwards from the future' by identifying growth markets and reproducible management skills to create a 'high-energy organization' by instilling a mission, even in today's era where past success stories no longer apply.

■ Background of the Seminar Report
As the environment surrounding companies changes drastically due to factors such as population decline and the rise of generative AI, it has become difficult to carve out a future by extending the lines of 'past successful experiences.' Many companies face the challenge of being unable to take the first step due to anxiety about the future, despite feeling the need for transformation. This seminar addressed these issues based on the experience of Mr. Kido, who oversaw an organization of 400 people at Rakuten and is currently taking on the challenge of starting a business from scratch in his 40s. He discussed practical theories for building a down-to-earth, high-energy organization that doesn't let transformation end as a mere academic theory, including a 'reverse-lookup thinking method' to turn hesitation into conviction and the 'power to involve people and execute as an organization.'

■ Key Topics Discussed in the Report

1. Identify growth markets and create businesses by working backwards from the future
The report explains the importance of decision-making that starts with 'what will happen in the future (the necessity of the future)' rather than 'how it is now (the extension of the present).' It introduces the perspective that growth speed for both companies and individuals naturally accelerates by investing resources (time and capital) into markets that will grow explosively, rather than into markets that are already mature.

2. Mission infiltration and leadership that generates high-energy organizations
No matter how accurately you identify a market, business cannot move forward without management that materializes strategies and moves the entire organization in the same direction. This report presents how to identify 'reproducible management skills' that allow you to achieve results even when the environment changes, through common language formation via the penetration of MVV (Mission, Vision, Values). It closes in on the essence of next-generation leadership that balances the 'logic' of market selection with the 'passion' to move an organization.

3. Business strategy of 'Engate,' which challenges the transformation of the sports industry
Mr. Kido explains the backstory of his current platform, where fans can directly support athletes and teams with digital gifts. He discusses the construction of a multifaceted business model that changes the very structure of the sports world through reverse-calculation from the future and the strong mission of 'creating a world where everyone can aim to be an athlete.'

■ Speakers
Koichiro Kido, Representative Director and President, Engate, Inc.
Graduated from Kyushu University. Joined Rakuten in 2000 after working at SoftBank. Over 17 years, he held positions including regional branch expansion manager, overseas business supervisor, and executive officer, driving the company's rapid growth. Founded Engate, Inc. in 2018 as a '0 to 1' challenge. Operates one of Japan's largest sports gifting services, creating a new 'empathy economy' with over 150 teams participating.

Tomohiro Nishida, Director, Management Consulting Department, Management Solutions Co., Ltd.
Realizes business transformation through strategic reconstruction from the on-site perspective, coordination, mechanism building, and the power to move people. Joined MSOL in 2025 and is currently engaged in supporting various projects in the Management Consulting Department.