ISOWA Keeps You Going – Always on the Go!

For last two days we’ve been talking about our new goal. The Cardboard Collaboration was a project we worked on from August 2010 to March 2011 where we discussed how to make sustainable profits in the medium-term perspective.

ISOWA Keeps You Going – Always on the Go! That’s the goal concept we set up during this project. If we can do this, we will get our customers to become our fans.

Since then, the concept has penetrated the whole company slowly but surely. Now how can we make that concept a higher priority than conventional numerical targets? That’s what we talked about this time.

Through the discussion, I found that conveying thoughts to someone means repeating it until he or she understands. That’s true for corporate culture reform, in which I’ve always held onto my own belief.

Tonight we had lots of very nice remarks.

Mr. T of the technical division said, “Development for the world, for the people – that’s what I’m always saying. But I’ve realized that I’m really doing it for myself. I can’t help feeling guilty for sitting here.”

No way! That’s just like ISOWA. That sounds exactly like a company where you can work for the happiness of yourself and your family.

Mr. N of sales said, “I think the ultimate goal of that concept is to enable the customers to keep themselves going.” That’s really impressive. You got me!

Mr. Takahashi from SCHOLAR said, “Mr. Isowa is suffering from a gap between heart and sales. Why don’t you just focus on sales that the heart will generate? “

It was a really stimulating off-site activity.

 

                                                                                 

Renovating Our Shinto Shrine

We have a little Shinto shrine on the company property, and it has just undergone a renovation to coincide with Shikinen Sengu, the regular removal of the Grand Shrine of Ise.

 

Our own little shrine is kind of unique. It is surrounded by an outer structure, which keeps the shrine from weathering, but of course the outer structure got old and worn out. The priest comes to our office every month to read a Shinto ritual prayer, and he suggested renovating the shrine.

 

There have been a number of twists and turns. Now the construction work is over and the shrine has been rededicated in a magnificent new shrine structure.

 

Today the cold has moderated, and I feel that spring is just around corner. Red-blossom plum trees in my garden are starting to bloom.

 

In addition to the shrine refurbishing, the block walls have been replaced by wire fences. Plantings within the wire fences are also finished. The plants look fragile since they were just planted, but I hope they will grow thick and tall to make people feel relaxed and comforted when they pass by.

 

The roof of the shrine is now covered with brand new copper so it shines in the bright spring sunshine. The fresh scent of the Japanese “hinoki” cypress wafts in the air.

I hope this shrine renovation project will be a good opportunity for us all to reappraise safety.