Hongo Mei interview
We spoke with Hongo Mei, a young employee working at Just.
From no experience to “sales at a design company”
Since you changed careers from an administrative position to sales, I imagine you had many concerns when you first joined. What kind of support did you receive in your work?
Hongo (honorific omitted)
When I first joined, senior employees and the president accompanied me closely, teaching me all kinds of things, from the flow of a typical day to how to proceed with my work.
One approach my senior colleagues kept in mind, and that I still refer to today, was their sales style of “visiting not just one department, but several departments to introduce yourself.” I try to follow their example so that I can build connections across the whole company, not just with individual contacts.
I also sometimes wondered, “What kind of information about the customer should I pass on to the designers?” But Just has a sales “hearing sheet,” which I use to draw out customers’ requests.
What kind of programs were offered as company-wide training?
Hongo
There was a unique program exclusive to Just called the “Values Class,” where we had in-depth one-on-one conversations with every employee.
We prepared materials in advance summarizing our own profiles and values, then asked each other questions based on them. Over the course of about a month, I was given time to get to know all of the roughly 20 employees on a deeper level.
After taking the Values Class, are there moments when you think, “I’m glad I did that!”?
Hongo
It helped us build relationships where it’s easy to talk to people across departments.
There are people in departments I don’t usually interact with much in my day-to-day work, but thanks to that training, I feel it became easier to naturally chat with them when we pass each other at work. I’m glad we got to learn about each other’s personalities and shared interests first.
“Plus alpha” proposals also boosted her confidence
What do you keep in mind when conducting sales activities?
Hongo
Right after joining, I thought the most important thing was to get customers to remember my face and name. So I made sure to email people I met for the first time, as well as customers I exchanged business cards with, on the same day.
I still make a point of maintaining courteous communication, such as replying to emails promptly and keeping in regular contact.
When do you find your work rewarding or enjoyable?
Hongo
The most rewarding moment is when an email from a customer comes directly to me, rather than to a senior colleague or the president. I’m truly happy to feel the trust of customers who entrust their work to me.
I also found it rewarding when I could feel myself growing. Since I started out in a different industry, when I first joined I didn’t understand any of the design terminology. As I gradually absorbed knowledge through my daily work, I could follow the details of business meetings properly, and that made me feel I had grown.
Could you tell us about a particularly happy moment from your work so far?
Hongo
While working on a certain package, the customer specified the color they wanted. But as I discussed it with the president at the office, we came up with an idea for a different color: “Why don’t we suggest this color too?”
So we prepared samples in both the color the customer wanted and the color we were proposing, and brought them along. We expected the customer to choose one, but they liked how both turned out and ultimately asked us, “Both colors are lovely, so please produce them in two versions.” I was very happy to hear that they were well received within the customer’s company, too.
Being able to make a “plus alpha” proposal to the customer also gave me a lot of confidence.
Continuing to grow in a warm environment that encourages her
Have you faced any difficulties?
Hongo
The biggest challenge was how to communicate requests to the designers. There were many times when a design came back different from what we had envisioned because I hadn’t accurately conveyed the customer’s intentions.
Now that I’ve gained knowledge about packaging, I can give more specific and easy-to-understand instructions, creating instruction sheets and the like in Microsoft Word.
You were handling several projects in your first year, so I imagine you had some concerns. Did you feel under pressure?
Hongo
When I took over customers from the president, there were moments when I honestly wondered, “Is it really okay to proceed based on my instructions?” But he warmly supported me, saying, “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Do it your way,” which allowed me to continue making proposals to customers in my own way.
When customers are pleased with my proposals, it also gives me confidence.
You said the workplace atmosphere and the employees’ personalities were deciding factors in joining. Was there any gap between your expectations before and after joining?
Hongo
My impression of the president changed, in a good way. During the information session and interview, I thought he seemed a little strict, partly because he was the company’s representative.
But after I joined and worked with him, I found that he was very friendly and created an atmosphere where even young employees could easily share their opinions. It wasn’t just the president who respected young employees’ opinions and warmly watched over their growth. The senior employees and managers were the same. I think it’s a workplace where it’s really easy to ask for advice.
Finally, could you share a message for readers of your generation?
Hongo
Work isn’t just about doing what you’re told. For example, in sales, I think it’s important to notice changes in your interactions with customers and make “plus alpha” proposals.
I think the small things we do every day add up and help us grow, so let’s keep doing our best together!
From the Writer
When I visited Just’s office, I had a brief chat at the entrance with an employee I passed, saying, “It’s hot today, isn’t it?” We only exchanged a few words, but I remember feeling a gentle warmth in my heart.
After finishing my interview with Hongo, I realized that Just’s welcoming atmosphere is created by the thoughtfulness of each and every employee.
I’m sure good relationships with colleagues also make a workplace more comfortable.
Hongo works freely and continues to grow steadily despite starting with no experience. I look forward to cheering her on as she continues to thrive.
Stories of Kurashiki’s young professionals: Back issues
Just Co., Ltd. Information
| Organization Name | Just Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Planning, manufacturing, and sales of packaging |
| Representative | Sakai Kazuki |
| Year Established | 1997 |
| Address | 1-8-8 Kojima Kaminomachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-472-7514 ※Hours: Weekdays, 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Website | Just Website |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a search term to find articles on this site
