An exclusive interview with Canon Marketing Philippines’ President & CEO Anuj Aggarwal
“NO TECHNOLOGY can replace humans,” Canon Marketing Philippines’ President & CEO Anuj Aggarwal once said in an interview with HR World Southeast Asia, a special supplement of the Economic Times. Malaya Business Insight caught up with Aggarwal taking him up on that comment and interviewed him about his company’s latest actions navigating technology and creating social impact.
With a foundation in finance, Aggarwal offers a unique perspective on leadership within the tech giant. In this exclusive interview with Malaya Business Insight, he discusses the challenges, strategies, and commitment to corporate social responsibility that define Canon’s journey in an ever-evolving market.
When asked about the trials faced by Canon, the CEO highlights the rapid pace of technological change, evolving consumer preferences, and fierce competition as primary concerns. However, he emphasizes that “Canon’s commitment to adopting innovative, leading-edge technology plays a crucial role in our longevity and growth plan.” Staying ahead of the curve is a non-negotiable.
In a shifting landscape of business imaging and consumer habits, Canon banks on three key elements to remain relevant: continuous innovation, product diversification, and customer-centric solutions. The company recognizes the need to meet the needs of its users while evolving alongside them.
This focus extends deeply into Canon’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives. The CEO stresses, “CSR is integral to Canon’s core values and business philosophy.” He highlights the importance of environmental sustainability, community engagement, and ethical business practices.
The company’s philosophy of ‘kyosei’ (‘to live and work together for the common good’) underscores every aspect of their operation. Canon engages with critical global issues like climate change, poverty, and inequality. Environmental conservation sits high on their priority list, as demonstrated through recycling programs, energy-efficient products, and a relentless focus on reducing their carbon footprint.
Canon’s reputation as a technology innovator amplifies the impact of their CSR initiatives. Their expertise and market standing allows them to tackle both local and global hurdles meaningfully.
The age-old issue of technology waste is top-of-mind for the CEO: “Canon is committed to sustainable practices throughout its production line and product lifecycle…” He outlines efforts in efficient manufacturing, long-lasting products, recyclability, and responsible disposal to minimize the environmental toll.
The CEO’s proudest achievements reside in the intersection of technology and CSR. Canon’s contributions to environmental preservation, education, and community development bring immense satisfaction. These, he believes, are essential to the company’s vision of “enriching lives…contributing to a sustainable future for everyone.”
TEXT OF FULL INTERVIEW
Malaya Business Insight (MBI): Coming from your strong finance background, what are the key lessons you’ve learned in your career that you are implying in your role as President and CEO of Canon Marketing Philippines?
Anuj Aggarwal (AA): My background in finance helps me understand situations much faster and helps me to take prudent decision. My current role requires me to be more optimistic and aggressive positioning in the market, Finance background helps to keep one foot on the ground. So, I can say am adopting “Cautious Optimism” in view of the current situation.
MBI: What are the challenges facing Canon as a company today? What roles does Canon’s penchant for adopting innovative, leading technology play in its longevity/growth plan?
AA: Some of the challenges facing Canon today are the rapidly evolving technological landscape, increasing competition and consumer preferences in the imaging industry. However, Canon’s commitment to adopting innovative, leading-edge technology plays a crucial role in our longevity and growth plan. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, we can continue to meet customer demands and stay ahead in the market.
MBI: As more and more new technology is introduced and as the business imaging and consumer imaging industries evolve, how does Canon stay relevant?
AA: Canon stays relevant by focusing on innovation, product diversification, and customer-centric solutions. We continuously invest in research and development to create cutting-edge products and services that cater to the changing needs of both business and consumer imaging markets.
MBI: In your position as President and CEO, you now have a much larger view and say in the direction of the company. How important is CSR for Canon?
AA: CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is integral to Canon’s core values and business philosophy. As President and CEO, I recognize the importance of CSR in building a sustainable future for our company and society. It involves environmental sustainability, community engagement, and ethical business practices, all of which are vital for our long-term success.
MBI: Can you tell me a bit more about what Canon’s efforts are in the CSR space? What spaces/focus areas are important for the company and why these?
AA: Our corporate philosophy is kyosei, which means ‘to live and work together for the common good’.
This is what Canon does every day with its corporate activities. We understand that our business is supported by the development of society as a whole. This is why, as a good corporate citizen, Canon aims to contribute to the realization of a better society by engaging in sound and fair business activities. In addition, we realize that we have an increasingly important role to play in addressing complex social issues that include climate change, frequent natural disasters, poverty and inequality as expressed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations.
Our CSR efforts also span across various areas including environmental conservation, education initiatives, and community development. We prioritize environmental sustainability through initiatives like recycling programs, energy-efficient products, and reducing carbon footprint. Additionally, we support education and skill development programs to empower communities and contribute positively to society.
MBI: How does Canon’s legacy as a technology brand complement or aid its CSR initiatives?
AA: Canon’s legacy as a technology brand complements its CSR initiatives by leveraging our expertise and resources to address local and global challenges responsibly. Our technological innovations not only drive business growth, but our market presence also enables us to create positive social and environmental impact through our CSR programs.
MBI: Oftentimes for tech companies, a common issue they deal with is the waste generated from its production line and the reusability of old products and parts. What has Canon done or is planning to do to address the waste issue?
AA: Canon is committed to sustainable practices throughout its production line and product lifecycle. We focus on reducing waste through efficient manufacturing processes, promoting product longevity and recyclability, and implementing responsible disposal practices for end-of-life products. Our goal is to minimize environmental impact while delivering high-quality products and services to our customers.
MBI: In the space of Tech and CSR, what have been your proudest achievements as President and CEO so far?
AA: As President and CEO, I am proud of our achievements in integrating technology and CSR to create meaningful contributions to society. Canon’s initiatives in environmental conservation, education, and community empowerment reflect our commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen while driving innovation and business growth. These efforts align with our vision of enriching lives, contributing to a sustainable future for everyone.
