Embrace this opportunity, says Daisuke Maeda, 2008-2009 Corporate Affiliates alumnus
Embrace this opportunity, says Daisuke Maeda, 2008-2009 Corporate Affiliates alumnus

I promise that this program
could change your mind and future.
-Daisuke Maeda
Daisuke Maeda, 2008-2009
Corporate Affiliates fellow, embraced the opportunity of being at Stanford
University in order to actively engage with students, scholars, and Silicon
Valley entrepreneurs. Connecting in person in an environment of innovation and
entrepreneurship informed Maeda's thinking about his work with the Sumitomo
Corporation, both retrospectively and for the future.
Established in 1919 but with business roots extending back into
the 17th century, Sumitomo Corporation is a Tokyo-based general trading company
with approximately 200 offices and 800 subsidiaries worldwide, including such
major global cities as Beijing, London, Madrid, Istanbul, Casablanca, Sao Paulo, and New
York City. Sumitomo is divided into seven business units based on its wide
diversification: metal products;
transportation
and construction systems; infrastructure; media, network, and lifestyle; mineral resources,
energy, chemical, and electronics; general product and real estate; and financial and
logistics. Some of its subsidiary companies include Discovery Japan, Inc.;
Barneys Japan; and Pacific Summit Energy, LLC. The corporation's mission statement
expresses a strong focus on social responsibility.
Before coming to Stanford, Maeda had the responsibility for overseeing the
marketing strategy of one of Sumitomo's e-commerce companies and while at Stanford
he then conducted research about the "long tail" statistical theory
which emphasizes the strength of a vendor, such as Amazon, selling a wide array
of specialty goods. Maeda looked at arguments for and against this theory and
spoke with Stanford students and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs on this subject. In addition to his research, Maeda met
with local startup companies and offered advice on marketing their products in
Japan.
Maeda is now a director in the mobile and internet department of Sumitomo's
media, network, and lifestyle business unit, which is home to Japan's largest
cable television provider, the biggest home shopping television channel, and a
major households goods e-commerce website. His current work involves developing
a Japan-focused online marketing strategy for Sumitomo's healthcare business
offerings.
Maeda urges current fellows to seize the opportunity of being at Stanford,
saying, "Don't hesitate. Time is limited." He explains that he
actively sought out opportunities to enrich his own knowledge and potential,
including meeting and talking with people. "I promise that this program
could change your mind and future," he concludes.