The other day, I visited Indonesia for the first time in a year.
The main purpose of this trip was to attend the shareholders' meetings of our group companies, PT. Tokai Rubber Indonesia (TRID) and PT. Tokai Rubber Auto Hose Indonesia (TRHI).
It also served to greet and express gratitude to the customers who support us daily, and to encourage our group's base managers and employees.
Each company's decision based on the changes
During my stay, although it was outside of our group bases’ area, riots broke out in the capital, Jakarta, and I felt the political instability.
During this time, I requested a meeting with a long-time customer, but unfortunately it was not possible as their company recommended refraining from unnecessary outings and working from home.
Therefore, I expressed my gratitude for his continued cooperation, and we agreed to meet again when he visits Japan.
On the other hand, another customer told us that "we have adequate crisis management in place, so there's no problem," and we were able to renew our friendship in person.
Each decision was based on a different understanding of the situation, and we were reminded that companies make decisions about how to respond to changes in the external environment from a variety of perspectives.
Responding flexibly to change
Thanks to the tenacious efforts of our base managers and employees, both of our group's bases have maintained a profitable operating record for the past few years.
Both plant managers continue to fulfill their responsibilities and steadily run their organizations.
At the same time, the business environment is constantly changing, and traditional methods may not be sufficient.
In uncertain times, it is important to be flexible and reassess your response according to the situation at hand.
To use an analogy from baseball, a pitcher will assess the situation of the game and the condition of the opposing batter and mix in not only fastballs but also curveballs and changeups when planning his pitches.
I told both heads that in management as well, it would be effective to consider the actual circumstances of the organization and the environment in which the other party finds itself, and to choose flexible measures rather than sticking to traditional methods.
Our Group operates in over 20 countries around the world, and the situation in each country is diverse and fluid.
Responses that were appropriate in the past may not be optimal today.
That is why it is essential to accurately identify signs of change, actively incorporate knowledge from both inside and outside the company, and continue to flexibly update our responses.
Based on the Sumitomo Spirit, let’s continue to adhere to the consistent philosophy of the entire Group, while also sharing the attitude of "seizing change as an opportunity and taking on bold challenges" without being bound by past frameworks.
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