Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President and Executive Officer Kei Takeuchi

Cherishing connections with others and continuing to improve yourself

Representative Director and President of Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.　Kei Takeuchi(Takeuchi Kei)

■ Profile

Born in November 1965 in Toyama Prefecture. After graduating from Asahi University's School of Management, he joined Daito Trust Construction in April 1989. He had many years of experience in sales, proposing effective land utilization to landowners. After serving as branch manager and head of the Metropolitan Sales Department, he was appointed director and executive officer, general manager of tenant sales, in June 2014. In April 2018, he was appointed managing director and head of the Real Estate Business Division. He will assume his current position in April 2023, where he also serves as head of the Construction Business Division.

Daito Trust Construction is ranked number one in Japan in terms of the number of rental housing units under management (*1) and the number of completed units (*2). We spoke to President Takeuchi, who is in his 35th year with the company, about his career, his approach to work, how he develops his employees, and the methods he uses to provide customers with safe and secure housing over the long term.

I don't remember studying much during my student days. After failing my university entrance exam and pondering whether to retake the exam, my prep school teacher suggested I try a new university, so I enrolled in the Department of Economics at Asahi University. Looking back, this decision was the right one. It allowed me to meet my life partner and Daito Trust Construction. I first learned about Daito Trust Construction through a Recruit job magazine. The founder's words in the magazine resonated with me, and I knew I wanted to work with him. Daito Trust Construction is a meritocracy, where employees are evaluated not by age or educational background, but by sales and other performance metrics. This is why, from the moment I joined the company, I had a clear vision: "Become a section manager by the age of 30, and ultimately become a director." By devoting myself to my work, I achieved success in sales and was promoted to section manager at the age of 26. After working in sales, proposing land use, I was put in charge of sales in the real estate department. At the time, it was right after the Lehman Shock, and there were surprisingly many vacant properties, so it was quite difficult to find tenants. At that time, the president at the time told me a quote from Saigo Takamori: "Give rewards to those who have merit, and give positions to those who have virtue." This quote means that even if someone has merit, they should not be given a high position if they lack virtue. It is not enough for a person to just have a track record. I reminded myself that it is precisely in difficult times that I should hone myself and grow as a person.

■ Important things to remember when working

Looking back on my career, there are several things I have always valued. One of them is having dreams and the determination to improve oneself. Having dreams is crucial to achieving high results. To that end, I regularly tell my employees to write down the dreams and goals they want to achieve. Also, when I'm unsure of a choice, I try to choose the more difficult option. Sales assumes rejection, so everyone struggles at first. However, after repeated negotiations, my dedication finally pays off and the job finally takes shape. While there were many difficult times, I gained a lot from those experiences. Another thing I value is the connections I make with others. Having worked for decades, I often realize that people live through the connections they have with others. I once reunited with a client from my time as branch manager, who thanked me, saying, "I'm glad I entrusted you with your business." It's rewarding to see these connections continue.

■ Use the company to improve your skills

The Daito Trust Group not only builds rental properties for owners, but also engages in a variety of businesses to ensure the peace of mind of tenants. Few companies operate with a focus on long-term stability, which I believe is a major attraction. Furthermore, the longer tenants live in a property, the more dirt will accumulate on its exterior walls and wallpaper. To address this, we have implemented various technologies to reduce maintenance costs. For example, we use exterior siding that cleans easily with rainwater to maintain aesthetic appeal. We also use materials such as easily cleanable wallpaper and replaceable flooring to reduce restoration costs incurred with each tenant change. We also anticipate potential risks, such as disputes between tenants, and have built systems to cover these risks. For example, following the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024, we confirmed the safety of all tenants and provided supplies within three days of the disaster. Protecting lives and livelihoods is paramount, and I believe we are the only company offering such services. I believe that the result of these various measures is that we have been able to achieve the number one ranking in the nation for the number of units under management for 27 consecutive years (*1) and the number one ranking for the number of rental brokerage transactions for 14 consecutive years (*3). My current goal is to generate profits of 3 trillion yen. To achieve this, we need to increase employee engagement and develop employees in their 30s and 40s who will take the helm of the company. However, I always tell them, "I want you to work for yourself, not for the company." I want them to make full use of the company to improve their own skills.

Message to university students

I want all students to believe in their potential and take on challenges. I also had a lot of experience before becoming president. I sometimes struggled due to my lack of experience, but I believe that I am where I am today because I always tried to improve myself through those experiences. I want you to value what you are working on and thinking about right now, without being too concerned about your academic background or style.

Student Newspaper April 1, 2024 Issue Sophia University 4nd Year Student Shirasaka Himari

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