Fumi Usuki

Experience

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  JVC

  Nov 1995 - Jun 2008

  Shift the previous position into the sales company to do product planning more efficient, direct and faster result by positioning myself between customers and the factory. Report US market analysis by utilizing sources (i.e. NPD, IHS, Census, worldwide media, etc.) used in the analysis of trended consumer and digital dynamics. Conduct end user focus group to pick up hidden hints for product development (Usually customer don't know what they want!). Deep product competitive analysis was everyday task.Expand OEM/ODM purchasing routes and making final decisions to complete projects. Show less Manager at JVC's TV factory. I was responsible for interacting our Japanese development team to JVC sales company along with frequent product demonstration and negotiation to sales company's customer (Dealers) on behalf. Supported the sales company as a backstage staff for all trade shows such as CES and key dealer shows. Communicated directly with Japanese engineers (Mechanical, Electrical, QA), planning group, purchasing dept. and industrial designers.I lead a special TV model that comes with Apple iPod tray in the industry, and it was well received from futuristic product design aspect. Teamwork with industrial designer and mechanical engineer resulted in complex mechanism but non-invasive design at all for all time viewing experience.In the US, I closely worked with Graphic designers to produce POP materials, product information, proofreading all technical materials. Also, I worked with Chinese/Canadian/American OEM/ODM manufacturer as a buyer position for TV and TV related products such as TV stand/ Wall mounts. Show less

  • Product Planning Manager

    Jun 2005 - Jun 2008

  • Product Planning Manager

    Nov 1995 - Jun 2005
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  Panasonic USA (Consumer Div.)

  Jun 2008 - Mar 2021

  Concurrent with IoT Business Development role for Kitchen appliance div., I work with development team on Home Monitoring (Security) Products from Product concept stage to production stage. Feature planning, UX/UI design consultant for mobile app software, partnership with Mobile app agents, Product assembly manuals, improve hardware design with mechanical team from UX point of view. Conduct extensive user surveys as well as ethnography style in-home visit conscious level research with agencies. Also, with my TV product background, I consult our electrical engineer team for image quality, testing methods.On January 29th, 2019, we launched Indiegogo Campaign with FLOOR, a brand new concept Home Monitoring product. This is the first crowdfunding campaign in Panasonic North America and it is one of my new strategic initiations with the Japanese team. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIygEUYzOc8Launched at b8ta! From Sept. 1 2019, we have launched our FLOOR at b8ta in 5 strategic locations. NJ, NY, TX, CAs. Another first attempt by Panasonic by my lead! From plan to launch in a few month short period, I worked with multiple-multi level internal teams to deploy this new channel. With team, I handle all project planning, closing MSA, deal negotiation, sales strategy, b8ta Kiosk digital content, and in-Store employee product training. Show less Responsible for initiate and execute strategic business direction of IoT implementation for North America Panasonic Consumer business. Plan and manage Back/Front end architecture design with outside business partners. Create preliminary business plan.Lead Inter-company business Ideation processBuild up business idea/product from scratch! Run monthly unique innovation process from gathering ideas to elaborate into businesses. Created a method for gathering to narrowing idea, visualized the method into a systematic process for sharing transparently within group members, setup a community place for further discussion. Conduct user surveys from customer/user perspective hint. On January 6th, 2020, made an official announcement for the first collaboration with the Ireland based recipe app company, Adaptics (a.k.a. Drop Recipe App.) for our Kitchen appliance! It was a solution to make our legacy microwave oven into a near-IoT product by providing step by step cooking with Drop recipe app for our consumers, like upgrading your microwave oven! Thanks to their team effort, communicating with Adaptics for the business idea, sharing company vision, and negotiation of terms and conditions was fun!https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/panasonic-and-drop-collaborate-to-bring-kitchen-success-300982120.html Show less

  • Sr. Manager IoT Business Development

    Apr 2020 - Mar 2021

  • Product Manager

    Apr 2018 - Apr 2020

  • New Business Development Group, Manager - IoT Div.

    Apr 2017 - Apr 2020

  • Manager - Smart Home/ Smart Building

    Aug 2015 - Mar 2017

  • NDA Coordinator

    Jun 2013 - Mar 2017

  • Corporate Planning Manager

    Apr 2010 - Aug 2015

  • Sales Planning Manager

    Jun 2008 - Mar 2010
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  Consumer Technology Association

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2018

  CES (Consumer Electronics Show) conference speaker

  Participated as a panelist for 2018 CES technology session "Smart home: Living Independently in Smart Homes"The growing populations of older adults and people with disabilities represent markets that benefit from smart home technologies. Learn the benefits and challenges of accessible smart home technologies which keep people living independently at home.https://www.ces.tech/Conference/ConferenceProgram/Conference-Tracks/Smart-Home.aspx

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  Self-employed

  Apr 2021 - now

  Innovation Consultant
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  Campgaw Mountain Ski Area

  Dec 2022 - Mar 2023

  Certified Alpine Ski Instructor

  Teaching Children to Adult from never ski to intermediate, private to group lesson.

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  Okemo Mountain Resort

  Oct 2023 - now

  Certified Alpine Ski Instructor

  Certified Alpine Ski Instructor for Okemo Ski school under Vail Resort Corp.