Strategy: Kazou Hirai’s First Year as CEO of Sony

Kazou Hirai took over as CEO of Sony on 1 April 2012 replacing Howard Stringer. Hirai inherited a business with many problems and experiencing heavy losses. What has he done in his first year?

The new CEO's actions in the first twelve months are well described and explained in this recent article.

The article highlight some of the success that Sony has enjoyed with the Xperia range of smartphones - which has an objective of becoming the third largest brand in the global market (behind Samsung and Apple).

However, the story is essentially one of retrenchment in the first year. Kazou Hirai has pursued a strategy of focus on the core strengths and competencies of the business, together with raising cash and reducing debt through the disposal of non-core assets and businesses.

You can follow some of these individual actions up by visiting these links:

Sony sells Tokyo 'holy land' building

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21612723

Sony sells Manhattan headquarters skyscraper for $1.1bn

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21073668

Sony sells its half stake in TV joint venture to Samsung

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/26/sony-smasung-tv-joint-venture

Sony sells DeNA shares for $438M

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/sony-sells-dena-shares/

Sony Closes Its Liverpool Studio

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19350856

Sony closes Japan factory; cuts 2,000 jobs

http://www.zdnet.com/sony-closes-japan-factory-cuts-2000-jobs-7000006047/

Sony's mobile arm cuts 1,000 jobs in cost-saving move

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19357353

Sony confirms details of 10,000 job cuts

http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240167964/Sony-confirms-details-of-10000-job-cuts

Sony cuts pay of top seven executives

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54972d4c-aee5-11e1-a4e0-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2RC936KhU