Canon 2008 Annual Report Download - page 4

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2
Bolstering Management Quality
i
n the Face o
f
Adversit
y
TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS
In 2008, the world economy found itself facing an unprecedented
crisis triggered primarily by the global recession following the
collapse of Lehman Brothers in the United States.
In 2009, the economic environment will continue to be extreme-
ly harsh. Nevertheless, we view these drastic economic changes as
an ideal opportunity to further restructure in order to bolster our
overall management strength. In 2009, Canon will make a major
change in course from sound growth to improved management
quality while preparing to rapidly leap forward when the economic
environment recovers.
Improved management quality means that Canon will make
decisions swiftly as needed so that we can rapidly move to the
execution stage and increase the overall strength of the Company,
even when market conditions suddenly turn turbulent. In other
words, we will achieve real-time management. To that end, we will
further strengthen our cash-fl ow management and supply chain
management (SCM) as we raise product competitiveness and
profi tability. Canon is boldly pushing forward its Excellent Global
Corporation Plan with the aim of entering the ranks of the global
top 100 companies in terms of key performance indicators.