Making a Samurai sword is not like making any other sword…

Actually. It’s called a Katana. It’s known as a Samurai sword, as it’s depicted this way in the movies.

Most swords can be made within a few hours. But Katana’s take resource & months to complete.

I liken it to building a great team.

It can take years & much resource to form a great team, with shared values, who look out for each other, and have the organisations & customers interests at heart.

Making a Katana (or Samurai sword) starts way back in the smelting process where 4 or 5 people constantly work on the shared goal of producing a kera.

The kera provides tamahagane (Japanese steel), which is given to a master sword maker, who forges, welds & folds it up to 16 times to remove the impurities.

The polisher continues the process, taking another month to remove the roughness, using successively finer stones, in a process called glazing.

And once it’s gleaming with a razor-sharp edge, they’ll add the handle & scabbard (sheath).

When we transformed from retail stores into an office technology & supplies business back in 2015, it took us years to build a great team.

Some of the old team left, as they didn’t want or like change. Others adapted & have flourished.

And over the years we’ve brought in new team members, but only if their values & personalities fit.

…don’t underestimate what it takes to make a Samurai sword or to build a great team.

You can learn more about making a Samurai sword & building a great team in our latest book. Available here.