We will move ahead with market research to find market opportunity in Indonesia to form projects and receive contracts for waterworks projects from local waterworks bureaus.

Q.Why did your company decide to take on interns? What did you aim to achieve?

Based in Yokohama, we specialize in the investigation of water leaks. We offer services that our engineers use equipment to investigate and detect water leaks that occurred in underground burial water pipes. We are also a provider of the system, water leakage monitoring device L-sign. We mainly offer our services to waterworks utilities and other major facilities, such as schools and factories, for investigation. We are planning on expanding our business domain to Asia by utilizing our technology for the improvement of local infrastructures. Because developing countries have serious water leakage problem, many people hold high expectations toward our company’s technology and products, making it an attractive market. We have already utilized support programs of JICA and JETRO, and the private support program of the city of Yokohama to receive contracts from local waterworks bureaus for the operations related to water leakage investigation and personnel development (technology) in India and Vietnam. As we are aiming for further expansion, we are considering expanding into Indonesia. Because we had difficulties in communicating because of the cultural and language barrier in India and Vietnam, we would like to start by working with interns from Indonesia to understand different culture and local needs. We applied for the program because we think it will be a shortcut to forming projects in Indonesia.

By utilizing the skills of an intern who majored in engineering, the intern engaged in market research and follow-ups for trade shows.

Q.What kind of internship did you run? What difficulties did you face and how did you resolve them?

The intern participated in our activity after taking a lecture related to the investigation of leakage. Also, after receiving the intern’s request to learn Japanese business manners, we created an opportunity where she learned how to exchange business cards, telephone correspondence, and experienced accompanying a visit to our client. The intern’s main activities include the research of the Indonesian market (the collection of needs on the Internet and by phone), support for creating company brochures and technical introduction materials in Indonesian, as well as follow-ups for Indonesian trade shows. The intern was quick to understand our technology because she studied engineering and was involved in the research of rivers. We prepared materials and prepared for a trade show while incorporating her opinions. In addition, she offered a presentation to teach the employees the culture and waterworks situation in Indonesia. Prior to accepting interns from Indonesia, we set up our office environment in consideration of interns who are Muslims. We set up a prayer room to make careful note of working hours according to their prayer times. We also offered information about mosques, halal restaurants, and grocery stores to support her diet. We made sure her food does not include ingredients prohibited because of religious beliefs, so that she can focus on her activities.

After successful approach to local waterworks bureau, the employees gained better understanding of different cultures and improved their language skills.

Q.Comparing before and after the internship, what effects did it have on you, your employees, or your organization?

Through this program, we became able to gain more in-depth understanding of the Indonesian market and culture. We checked websites and news related to Indonesia and conduct market research to grasp local issues specifically. We also contacted several local waterworks bureaus to conduct interviews. The intern also offered a presentation of our company’s business to the executives of waterworks bureaus who visited Japan from overseas. Based on these basic research and approach to the operators related to waterworks in Indonesia and other countries, we narrowed down our targets to three waterworks bureaus to prepare a proposal to meet their individual needs. We would like to expand our business by taking this opportunity. As for the changes within the company, we asked the intern to speak English at work and offered lessons in Indonesian. She also made Indonesian dishes for cross-cultural exchanges through food. By working with her, all the employees became more interested and gained a better understanding of different cultures. In anticipation of business expansion in the future, an increasing number of employees are also working on improving their language skills such as English.