Sony
Whether it be manufacturing flat screen TVs, producing films or developing the world’s standard music format, Sony has built a reputation for quality, reliability and innovation that extends across the globe. Headquartered in Minato, Japan, the Sony Group employs almost 168,000 people worldwide in a multitude of roles and business areas.
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The Inside Buzz View
Sony Profile & Stats
From humble beginnings in post-war Tokyo, Masaru Ibuka’s bomb-damaged radio repair shop has grown into one of the five largest media conglomerates on the planet. Whether it be manufacturing flat screen TVs, producing films or developing the world’s standard music format, Sony has built a reputation for quality, reliability and innovation that extends across the globe. Headquartered in Minato, Japan, the Sony Group is comprised of Sony Corporation (electronics), Sony Computer Entertainment (video games), Sony Pictures Entertainment (motion pictures), Sony Music Entertainment (music) and Sony Financial Holdings (financial services).
In August 1955, Sony released Japan’s first commercially produced transistor radio. Not resting on its laurels, the company launched a follow up later that year, gaining its first success in international markets. While these radios had been branded Sony, the company name didn’t change until 1958. Eschewing the traditional Japanese kanji, the new Roman appellation was derived from the Latin word ‘sonus’, meaning sound, and ‘sonny’, 50s American slang for a boy.
Since the 60s, Sony has pioneered some of the most successful electronics products on the market, many of which became industry standards. These include Betamax, Compact Disc (with Philips), 3.5 inch Floppy Disk, DAT, MiniDisc, miniDV, DVD (with others), DVCAM, Memory Stick, and Blu-ray Disc (with Panasonic). Other popular products include the then ubiquitous CD walkman in the 80s and 90s, and more recently the different permutations of the Sony PlayStation. In fact, the PlayStation 2 is the most successful video game console of all time, selling more than 140 million units. The PlayStation 3 has since superseded Sony’s best seller and leads the way in high-definition gaming.
Sony’s jobs are divided by business function. The business and development arm develop and manage strategic relationships and alliances with key technology, content, and service partners. Corporate development is tasked with identifying opportunities to leverage corporate assets on key strategic initiatives and assess potential acquisitions or partnerships. Corporate communications manage information exchanges with key external groups such as investors, customers, and the CSR community.
The marketing division researches and analyses the global business landscape, Sony’s customer needs and proposes innovative strategies to create competitive advantage. Engineering and quality has opportunities in a huge range of areas, including applied research, manufacturing, ASIC, CAD, mechanical design, development, packaging, electronic design, quality testing and auditing, software development, failure analysis, supplier/vendor quality assurance and hardware development. From strategic planning to budgeting, the finance team offers all kinds of roles to help invest and grow the company. Specialities include compliance, fraud, contract administration, accounting, payroll, credit, treasury and financial analysis. Furthermore, Sony has opportunities in logistics, strategic planning, service and technical support, sales and legal.
