Assignment Ceremony

Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, this year’s new employees could not have an initiation ceremony and there was no group training for all of them.

Therefore, at the end of the training for career-track employees, we decided to hold an "assignment ceremony" on July 1, which we hadn't had before.

Actually, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you something that I wanted to share with all young employees including those who have already been assigned to clerical and technical positions newly.

Someone is watching you, when you're doing your best.

I just became president last month, and I'm new to the job as president, a so-called ”rookie president”. You are also rookies to the company, therefore, I think we're in “the same position” in terms of trying things that we haven’t experienced.

I have been working in sales ever since I joined Sumitomo Electric as a new employee, and I feel that my first 10 years of experience have helped me become the person I am today.

At the time, there were some jobs that I thought, "I don't want to do”.

But when you work hard at the job you've been given, someone, inside or outside the company, is watching you.

For example, more than 30 years ago, when I was a rookie salesman, the person who was in charge of procurement for a customer is now a director of that company.

The fact that we are still able to talk to each other today is an example of how grateful I am for that person and how glad I am to have worked so hard at that time.

Challenge while you are young!

Try various things while you are young.

Of course, there are times when you propose a job you want to do and your boss may say "No!”.

Because you and your boss have different perspectives and backgrounds to look through, it's natural that you and your boss will make different decisions.

However, you won't know if it will work or not until you try it.

So, please think about "trying" and "doing" things that have potential first.

And as my mission, I will say to your bosses to make sure that they listen to and nurture you, their young people.

When I was young, I once went ahead with what I wanted to do, over the objections of my bosses. Of course, there were times when it worked and times when it didn't.

Looking back, I feel like my boss was watching over me until I realized for myself that my plans were inadequate.

It is a privilege to have this kind of challenge and experience as a rookie.

“Wa” and “Kokorozashi” (Harmony and Aspiration)

Lastly, I try to keep in mind that work should be done with “Kokorozashi” (aspiration) and the company should be working with “Wa” (harmony).

Please cherish the "harmony" with your colleagues and work on what you want to do with your "aspiration".

This is the best part that you are about to experience as full-fledged members of society.

Coincidentally, the word "harmony" (pronounced as “Kazu”) and "aspiration" (pronounced as “Shi” ) is my name.