Promote Work Style Reforms
Surpassing our Traditional Framework
In order to promote a workstyle that will enable us to grasp the needs of our ever-changing society and clientele, to devise solutions that fit with the times, and to create new distribution channels, Marubeni is working on a number of new initiatives since FYE 3/2019 that operate from the main themes of “Human Capital,” “Mechanisms,” and “Time.”
Human Capital
The personnel who will be responsible for the future of Marubeni must not only be professionals in a particular product field. They should also be able to grasp social and customer issues with a multifaceted perspective that goes beyond the scope of the business and have the mindset to imagine a solution by taking full advantage of the diverse business infrastructure (platforms) of the Marubeni Group. Therefore, the measures outlined below are implemented to promote the development of such human capital.
Marubeni Academia
The Marubeni Academia program aims to nurture global innovation leaders who will lead the Marubeni Group. Diverse talent who are excelling globally are chosen for this program to engage in discussions on various themes over the course of a year.
External Personnel Exchange Program
This is a program targeting employees who are future candidates for management and executive positions at Marubeni. The employees are assigning to leading companies in various industries for a few years to achieve results while working on the front lines. In addition to building a network of connections outside Marubeni, this program also promotes the development of personnel with an outside perspective, the ability to identify values/functions that have not been delivered thus far, and the ability to use insights gained to develop new businesses.
Triangle Mentor
Three people of different ages and from different departments form a trio and regularly communicate to form connections that transcend one’s organization and generation, to share experiences, to further mutual understanding of different values and ways of thinking, and to build a foundation for new employees.
New Business Attire Guidelines: “Self-Biz”
As an initiative to foster a culture of autonomous thinking and conduct, “Self-Biz” is introduced. This is a policy that allows each employee to select the business attire that they personally feel is appropriate, based on guidelines that define minimum requirements while discarding the categories of business vs. casual.
Mechanisms
The following measures are being implemented as mechanisms to promote innovation that transcends the vertically segmented product system of an organization.
Business Model Canvas
We have created the BMC site to increase the visibility of the assets and business models of the Marubeni Group and share them with all employees. To help create new businesses, we will expand the functions of the site. At the same time, we will promote measures enabling us to use the BMC framework in business settings.
Idea Box
This mechanism enables all Group employees to contribute proposals related to new business ideas, challenges they would like to take on, and business improvements.
Innovation Salon
Employees interested in innovation can casually participate in this lecture-style event where we invite new business promoters and entrepreneurs from outside of the company. We hold these events on a regular basis with the aim of broadening participants’ perspectives by exposing them to “expertise” from outside the company, giving them hints for new ideas, and motivating them to take action themselves.
Time
No matter how well people and mechanisms have been prepared, without time it is not possible to start something new. For this reason, the following initiatives are being implemented.
15% Rule
This measure makes it possible for employees to allocate up to a maximum of 15% of their work hours to activities aimed at developing business that will help to increase the value of the Marubeni Group. This rule aims to create an environment for each employee that makes it easier to search for and discover new solutions for customers and society by making use of the Marubeni Group’s networks, business models, know-how and human capital.
Work from Anywhere
A Work from Anywhere policy aimed at raising the performance of the entire organization, has been adopted to encourage each employee to achieve greater quality, speed, and volume of output through increasing workplace options such as working from home and encouraging more effective time utilization.