Katsunori Ueda, President and CEO of Nippon Enterprise Co., Ltd.

A management philosophy that puts contribution to customers and society first

■ Profile

Born in 1962. After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Osaka Prefecture University, he joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1985. After leaving the company, he founded Nippon Enterprise in 1989. After working at Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Corporation), he started sales at Nippon Enterprise in 1997 and is currently in his current position.

24 years after starting operations, Nippon Enterprise Co., Ltd. continues to operate steadily and contribute to society. However, President Ueda says that the road to starting the company was not easy and that he faced many obstacles. We spoke to him about the circumstances leading up to starting the company, the factors behind the company's culture, and his thoughts on management.

I've been devoting myself to soccer since elementary school, and was a member of the university's soccer club. At the same time, I started working part-time in high school and earned my own tuition fees. In fact, when I was 16, my father, who was a businessman, passed away, and from that day on, my destiny changed drastically. I'd grown up in a privileged environment, but since then, my life has been quite difficult, including financially. Also, influenced by my father from an early age, I've always been interested in business management, and at university I was in a seminar studying corporate law. After graduating from university, I joined Toyota Motor Corporation as a new graduate, working in the computer department, where I worked on IT-related tasks while operating computers.

■The path to starting a business

However, I ended up leaving Toyota Motor Corporation after about three and a half years to join the family business. I had intended to take over the family business after that, but after many twists and turns, I ended up unemployed. After losing my job, I registered a company called Japan Enterprises in an attempt to start my own business, but I continued to face mental hardship, and eventually applied to Panasonic and was able to get hired. I worked there for seven years, but I still couldn't give up on my path to becoming a manager, so I left Panasonic at the age of 34 and restarted the dormant Japan Enterprises.

■ A venture spirit that has been deeply rooted for many years

What's appealing about our company is that, even after many years since its founding and its listing on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the entrepreneurial spirit remains deeply rooted within the company. I believe this spirit is due, first, to my being the president and being frank with employees without being authoritarian. I am never arrogant and always keep in mind the importance of managing within our means. While not hindering employees' growth, I often visit each department's floor rather than the president's office to discuss things with employees. I believe there is a close relationship between me and each employee, and there is a lot of communication. Second, the company has a high turnover rate due to the influx of young talent every year. When we select new graduates, we look for bright, energetic, and positive personalities. Of course, intelligence is important, and technical skills are also valued. However, more than anything, we prefer to hire forward-thinking individuals who can overcome any obstacle or challenge. And with such young talent joining us every year, the company is always brimming with energy.

■ Thoughts on "management"

I believe our company offers a solid foundation for growth both as individuals and as business leaders. While I serve as president, I offer many opportunities for employee growth and create an environment where employees are encouraged to take on any challenge they desire. I truly believe that business isn't something that can be built overnight, nor is it something that can be achieved simply through talent. I've read countless books on management and learned a great deal, and now I love everything about running a company. I believe the most important aspect of management is perspective and way of thinking. While describing our company as a "smartphone app company" is certainly accurate, there are other key aspects. We strive every day for our customers and for a better society. Our method is app development, and profits are generated through the accumulation of these efforts. Therefore, while focusing on entertainment content is important for business operations, it is crucial for us to keep up with social trends and consider what services can contribute to our customers and society. Just as there are many different companies in the same industry, each company has its own unique management philosophy. Therefore, we conduct our business activities in accordance with our company's philosophy. In this respect, a consistent perspective and way of thinking are crucial for business.

■ Changed mindset

I have faced many hardships since my student days, and since the founding of our company, I have adopted a mindset of "I am not living, I am being kept alive. Therefore, while I am alive, I must do everything I can to help society." At the root of our annual donation drive since the company's founding is my own personal spirit of "doing everything I can for society." This also applies to our employees, who are part of society. To me, hearing one word from a young employee that their life has changed through learning about business is something that cannot be measured in monetary terms. I would like to continue to be someone who can provide many young people with learning opportunities and experiences.

■Message to university students

Many students are probably worried that they can't find what they want to do. To be honest, I don't think it's that easy to find what you want to do. However, it's a good idea to find some sense of direction while you're still a student, such as "this is the person I want to become" or "this is the kind of work I want to do." Then, after that, don't be afraid of anything and do everything you want to do! It would be a real shame to be afraid of something and not be able to do what you wanted to do. Make the most of this time, when you can maximize your possibilities.

Student Newspaper Online September 28, 2021 Interview by Keio University 2nd year student Miyu Ito