I had in mind this topic since I was on an overseas assignment in Japan. I began to think about the country. I am well aware of her past misdeeds but I am also awed by her achievements to date. No, no, no, it’s not about the crazy stuff her people creates but rather the longstanding culture they have.
I visited a World Heritage site in Kyoto. It’s called the Byōdō-in, a Buddhist temple built in 998 with its main building, the Phoenix Hall completed in 1053. On top of the Phoenix Hall, there are 2 phoenix hammered by some metals (sorry, I can’t remember whether it’s bronze). I believe the original ones are already kept in the museum next door. Other impressive structures are the wood sculptures that are still in good condition after all these centuries.
It reminded me of the fact that Japan was not conquered by intruders in her entire history. Yes, there were 2 atomic bombs dropped and lots of other bombings. But no one really came and ruled the whole country as she did to the others. This could be the reason why all these historical sites have been kept intact.
Then, it led me to think about the other stuff such as rice, soya sauce, steel, and so on. These “technologies” or know-how derived from making these produces should be well-kept as well. In Japan, it’s not hard to find family businesses that had been run by more than 4 generations. Regardless of their scale, the knowledge passed and improved over time must be at an admirable level. No wonder Japanese products are always closely linked with high quality.
I came across a sewage cover that was meticulously forged or probably moulded. It’s a bit hard to accept for me because from where I come from, no one care about how the sewage cover looks like. I can’t help having the feeling that the Japanese are specific, “detailed” people. The way they bound the tree branches, so that the trees could grow into the shape the Japanese want. It’s not my first trip to Japan but I still feel strongly about this.
More thoughts rushed into my minds. If they are so detailed, what are their expectations for things that they use? Do some shopping around and you will see the all kinds of products that serve almost the same function. Take for example, laundry bags come in all sizes and of different materials. Though they are all used for washing, they work differently for each specific purpose. You wash your socks in certain bags and you put your cotton shirts in others. In other words, their needs do not translate directly to mine.
Their needs seem to be more complex. The denomination of their needs are definitely many times smaller than mine. My one simple need can match with their multiple needs. But my need is a basic one. There is no other alternative or flexibility. It is not specific enough. Their needs may just be my want. This is where the problem lies.
The issue between want and need as economists have put it. There are more wants than needs for each individual. This is why there are necessities and luxury goods; elastic and inelastic demands. However, if one’s needs are actually wants of the other, how would the deal be laid out on the table? This means there is another dimension in the parameter, need. The degree of need is different for each person. A quick way would be to group people by countries and then sort them, using the level of disposable income. I beg to differ. If you have noticed, this is the first time I mention level of disposable income in this article.
I have been talking about the perception of need all this while. And this perception can be shaped by the culture and the longstanding technologies or know-how in the making of this need. If you cook the same potato differently, the value of the potato changes. Those who like it this way will naturally value it more and likewise for the vice versa.
I am not saying that the background culture or technologies determine the degree of need. I am just pointing out these could be main contributing factors. There could be others. Usefulness is one. I might have a different cultural background and used to a different level of technological application but I would still have the same need for such useful tools. Another would be the purchase occasion. Or the environment.
Fret not. This simply means that to create a need, you should keep on trying. It’s not that you have not found the need for others. It’s just that the degrees of need in them have not reached the same level as yours. Or you have not found the common pool of people with the same level. Remember, we are all different and similar in some way or the other. (Hope this can be a handy tip for those working hard to keep their business afloat during these bad times)
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