A Message from our CEO
Learning: Is it for the company, or for oneself?
I once had a business owner from another company say to me, “The responsibility of providing for our employees is actually quite heavy, isn’t it?”
I replied to him, “Not at all. For truly high-calibre employees, even if my company were to fold, they would likely secure a better position immediately. Conversely, for those who fail to engage in continuous learning or lack the necessary competencies—if they cannot find a job after the company closes, that is not my responsibility.” He was left speechless.
Of course, as an employer, it is my responsibility to provide the highest possible remuneration and a conducive work environment. However, whether for current employees or those who will join us in the future, it is unrealistic to expect to remain with a single company for an entire career. The hardships resulting from a failure to engage in continuous learning should not be a responsibility borne by the business owner.
Ultimately, a company is fundamentally a place for output, rather than merely a venue for passive learning. Therefore, during our interview process, we generally do not hire candidates who state, “I am here because I want to learn.” (In truth, I believe this sentiment is shared by the majority of organisations.)
In the past, my conviction was that “those who truly wish to learn will naturally do so on their own initiative,” and this perspective remains unchanged today. However, in recent years, the pace of technological change—particularly with AI—has become exceptionally rapid. It has become increasingly difficult to keep pace with such advancements through self-directed learning alone.
Consequently, we have updated our core values. Currently, within the company, we formally allocate approximately 5% to 10% of employees’ working hours as dedicated time for Input and professional development.
Simultaneously, for team members who demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement beyond working hours, we have initiated a pilot Learning Support Programme to provide robust corporate backing.
The Implementation: Employees are required to submit a Learning & Development (L&D) proposal to the company. Based on the scope and objectives of the plan, the company will provide a subsidy ranging from 50% up to 99% of the associated costs. (We have opted not to provide a 100% full subsidy because we believe that learning is, ultimately, for one’s own benefit. Even if it is a nominal amount, we expect the learner to bear a portion of the cost as a demonstration of proactive ownership and personal accountability.)
We believe that true competitiveness stems from the capacity for continuous learning. Our vision is to be an organisation that is deeply committed to providing resources and robust support for those who demonstrate a genuine drive for lifelong growth and self-improvement.
– Tanaka, CEO