To break away from the production system that relies only on contract and challenge the world with our unique technology and design.

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

As a company that engages in high precision sheet metal fabrication business, we have met requests and needs of customers from various industries with our technological capabilities. Previously, our business was mainly based on a contract production system; however, we started the sales of an aluminum bow tie "Metal Butterfly" in 2019 as our first original product for which we mobilized high precision metal sheet fabrication technologies. It is really an item into which the fascination of craftsmanship in Japanese manufacturing is poured. We would like to sell it not only domestically but also overseas through electronic commerce in the future, and, capitalizing on that opportunity, enhance the pride in manufacturing and the spirit of unlocking the future among our employees so that we can grow as a company that ventures into the world. For entry into the global market, it is urgent for us to establish a sales system. In terms of grasping the picture of the market and developing sales channels, as well as branding and localization, foreign human resources will be key to the successful development of our business overseas. Therefore we have applied for this program.

Learnt sensitivity of foreigners from the viewpoint of interns to make use of it for marketing tools and website design.

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

As the intern was a creative individual who not only had experience as a graphic designer in her home country but also operated a website for electronic commerce of her original miscellaneous goods, we expected synergy with our new business from her. Among her activities were creation of marketing tools for overseas, website design and development of an EC system. She also held hearings with each of our employees for the purpose of translating technical terms. Through repeated discussions with the intern, differences in marketing between Japan and overseas also became clear. For example, Japanese websites tend to use more text in order to deliver enthusiasm and stories. However, we understood from the intern's opinion that visual-based design was more effective and versatile for foreign countries, and thus we modified the direction. In addition, we arranged for our employees a seminar in which she taught about the tradition and culture of Indonesia to promote friendship. Externally, we not only sold her original miscellaneous goods in the local event but also arranged activities suitable for her, such as experiencing community development through art in the Artist-in-residence program of Narita City.

Release of information toward overseas became active, which provided a pathway for expansion of our business overseas.

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

The intern fit in fine with our employees by sharing her surprise, sensations and opinions with them, which brightened the company. Even employees who were poor at English found themselves talking to her in English. It was an unexpected happy result that an internal structure for supporting interns by all the employees was established. As for me, it was fruitful that I could realize improvement in English skills, reconfirm the excellence in craftsmanship in Japanese manufacturing, and pave the way for our overseas operation. The degree of success of the internship activity this time was 150% and we could have a pleasant and satisfactory time with her. Making use of this experience, we would like to continue the release of information toward overseas, accumulating various kinds of attractive contents. As part of it, we want to promote the development of new products using Batik, one of the Indonesian cultural assets. After the internship activity, we will continue to work with her as a business partner, making the most of the common marketing system and each other's strength. Through the experience this time, we are convinced that employment of foreigners is one of the important business resources for the growth of our company and gives a significant impact for growth of smaller businesses.