In recent years, as corporate globalization advances, the importance of communication has become even more crucial. Tokyo Century, which operates in over 30 countries and regions worldwide, conducted its first ever town hall meeting at 9 locations in 5 countries last fiscal year, with the aim of promoting the penetration of its mid-term management plan. Town hall meetings, which serve as a direct dialogue between the field and management, are drawing attention as a means of communication to promote organizational transformation and improve employee engagement. In this interview, we will deliver an interview with Mr. Toshio Kitamura, Executive Officer in charge of international business, and Ms. Yoko Tominaga, Director of International Business Department.
Director of International Business Department, Ms. Yoko Tominaga (left), and Executive Officer, General Manager of International Sales Promotion Division, and General Manager of International Sales Division, etc.
Mr. Toshio Kitamura, Director and Vice Chairman of CSI Leasing, Inc. (right)
Promoting the penetration of the mid-term management plan to global employees at the town hall meeting
---I heard that you held the town hall meeting for the first time last fiscal year. Could you tell us about the background of the implementation?
Executive Officer Kitamura (hereinafter, Kitamura): In the "Mid-term Management Plan 2027" formulated in May of last year, we set forth TC Transformation (hereinafter, TCX) as the basic policy. It is not so easy to correctly understand and put into practice the sentiment of "changing oneself and creating change," which is the theme that we set. In order to promote penetration to approximately 2,200 global employees working at our overseas locations, some measures were necessary.
Director Tominaga (hereinafter, Tominaga): In order to have them understand the importance of TCX, we felt that direct communication, where face-to-face discussions were held after much internal debate, would be most effective, rather than just transmitting messages and video letters. This led to the idea of a town hall meeting.
――How did the preparation proceed?
Tominaga: We started moving towards preparation in June of last year. In order to consider the program, it was essential to have a message from Executive Director Kitamura, who is the top in the international business field. We started working on the production of the video. We thought over and over again how we could deliver a message that would resonate with global employees, and the video that was produced by a professional video production company turned out to be truly outstanding, although I am biased.
――What was the content of the video message?
Kitamura: We have positioned TCX as an important basic policy of the midterm management plan 2027, but it does not mean that we have not "transformed" so far. We have been challenging transformation from various aspects, and we included in the message that our current growth is the result of accumulated efforts.
In addition, "transformation" is not only about organization and business development. It is about each individual transforming themselves. The message calls for bold challenges, including the decision to discard something during the process.
Tominaga: "While we took the message seriously, we named it "Executive Director Kitamura's Steve Jobs Project," (laughs)
We also put a lot of effort into the direction so that the viewers would be captivated and engaged.
What is important is to convey feelings with a simple message of"passion","smile", and "respect".
The town hall meetings started in Singapore last autumn and then took place in five countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States, where there are consolidated subsidiaries. There seems to be a difference in the way it is received depending on the country and business, but what is the reality?
Tominaga: The town hall meetings held in various places started with a video message I just mentioned, but the three keywords "passion","smile", and "respect" that were included in the message received a very positive response in every country.
Kitamura: These keywords are the mindset that I have always cherished in order to collaborate with members within and outside the organization and to move the organization and projects forward. I consider them as the basis for everything. Although there are differences in history and culture, I included the feeling that they would surely be understood universally. Since the implementation of the town hall meetings, I have frequently heard these three keywords from local people when I visit the respective locations, and I am happy that my thoughts have been well conveyed.
Kitamura: "Business discussions were good, but many employees were surprised that the meanings of the three keywords "passion","smile", and "respect" were very good."
"The local employees commented that the meanings of the three keywords "passion","smile", and "respect" were very good."
Please also tell us about the town hall meetings held at each location.
Tominaga: While enjoying the preparations, I was not without anxiety about what would happen if there was no reaction until the day of the event. However, when the event actually started, people from all countries actively asked questions, and I felt the sense of accomplishment that a two-way global communication was taking place right here.
Kitamura: For the speeches at the local sites, I interviewed the responsible persons at each site in advance and tailored the contents accordingly. For example, in Singapore, which is an older site with a long history, I mentioned the names of people who have been working there for a long time and incorporated words of encouragement. In Thailand, I made jokes and invited laughter in a relaxed atmosphere by saying, "If there are internal events, I want to be invited as well."
Thanks to that, we received not only questions about business development but also many casual questions such as "Where should I go to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo?" and "Do you have any recommended yakiniku restaurants?" The distance between global employees, regardless of position, career, country, and region, has significantly diminished and I feel the closeness.
Town Hall Meeting Scene
Tominaga: The implementation of the next Town Hall Meeting is undecided, but I am very happy that the result of this survey showed a 100% "Yes" response to the question "Would you like to participate again?"
There were also many comments such as "I was able to visually understand the message," "You understand about the local sites," and "It was a valuable opportunity for interaction with the head office." I feel that we have contributed, to some extent, to the penetration of the Mid-term Management Plan 2027 and the creation of unity within the TC Group.
About the changes that have occurred in the minds of global employees.
- Has the impact of last year's town hall meeting been observed among the gathered global employees now that global training, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been resumed this fiscal year?
Kitamura: In the global training held in June this year, management from the 5 countries which conducted the town hall meeting gathered. In this training, there was a program where each base presented on how to practice TCX. In terms of business development, TCX can be described as "uniqueness" and "differentiation". Each presentation was composed based on that, and they clearly demonstrated the motivation to aim for future growth.
Tominaga: We shared information on the business operations of each base, discussed ideas for training measures between bases, and formed projects to enhance collaboration. This led to fostering a sense of unity within the group by grasping the trends of different markets in each country and region, and sharing the strengths and information of each base.
Tominaga: "I have high expectations because the potential for cross-group business development has expanded."
Taking on the challenge of exceeding the goals based on global communication.
- Finally, please share your enthusiasm towards achieving the midterm management plan 2027.
In 2023, we were able to expand our business in the IT field, such as investing in data centers, focusing on FMV leasing and ITAD (proper disposal of IT assets) services. In the US, we are also accelerating our niche market businesses, such as leasing tree maintenance vehicles. We positively recognize that if we can achieve TC X while putting these businesses on track, it is also possible to significantly exceed the goals of the international business field set forth in the medium-term management plan 2027.
It is very challenging for employees with different languages and cultures to face the same direction and work towards the same goal, but I want to strive to become a true global company.
At the town hall meeting, we received a question asking if only expatriates from Japan can become responsible persons for overseas bases. There is definitely no such thing. In order to make smooth decision-making in collaboration with the head office, it is necessary to consider the appointment of local global employees.
We will continue to contribute to the growth of the organization by exchanging opinions openly with local people and emphasizing our uniqueness.
Tominaga: Last year's town hall meeting was mainly conducted with all the employees at the base attending. Depending on the base, we had a snack time after the meeting and prepared local sweets and classic dishes, which made us happy to liven up together.
Even if it is not as large-scale as last year, for example, it may be possible to implement small-scale meetings targeting only managers or on a project basis. Regardless of the country and region, I hope everyone feels like a member of Tokyo Century Group and works together as a team towards the achievement of the medium-term management plan 2027. We will continue to strive to establish a solid foundation to this end.
Toshio Kitamura
Director and Vice Chairman of CSI Leasing, Inc., Chief of International Business Promotion Department and Chief of International Business Department, Executive Officer
Joined the company in 2013. Became an executive officer in 2016. After working on projects such as the acquisition of auto leasing assets in Thailand and investing in an auto leasing company in the Philippines, returned to Japan after acquiring CSI in the USA and managing operations locally. Currently serving in the current position since April 2020.
Yoko Tominaga
Head of International Business Department
Joined the company in 2023. Currently serving in the current position since April 2024. Utilizing experience in supporting local subsidiaries in Asia, Europe, and the United States and cross-border finance at a major leasing company, also involved in overseas business-related operations at our company.
*The content and title of the article are current as of the time of publication.
