B-EN-G actively promotes the development of a workplace environment and career support so that female employees can thrive in the long term.
We will tell you about work styles and careers through a conversation between a female employee and a hiring manager.
<Participants>
Solution Business Headquarters Enterprise Technology Department Megumi Inoue
Product Business Headquarters Product Consulting Department Yuho Uzaki
Machiko Ogata, Human Resources and General Affairs Corporate Administration & Planning Division Headquarters
Deciding factor for joining the company/Current job
Kogata:Today, please tell us a little bit about the way you work at B-EN-G, the company culture, etc. First of all, could you tell me why you decided to join B-EN-G?
I chose Inoue B-EN-G because I was attracted to the keyword "manufacturing industry support through IT." Based on my past aspirations, I wanted to do a job that would give me a sense of accomplishment when I put plans into shape. I was very attracted to B-EN-G's manufacturing elements, such as ``system construction work'' and ``targeting the manufacturing industry.'' I was also attracted to the fact that they have their own packaging that supports Japan's manufacturing industry. During my job hunting, I was selected to work as a system integrator or in the manufacturing industry, but I decided to join B-EN-G as it would give me exposure to both types of work.
Uzaki It all started when I wanted to be involved in the development of Japanese manufacturing. When I lived in Indonesia for about a year as a student, I was helped many times by Japanese products, and from there I thought, ``I want people to know the goodness of Japanese products,'' and ``I want to be involved in the development of Japanese manufacturing.'' I wanted to work,'' and at first I looked for jobs mainly in the manufacturing industry. As I progressed in my job hunting, I realized that I wanted to be involved in a wide range of ways to develop and support Japanese manufacturing, rather than just working for a single company. Meanwhile, I found B-EN-G on a job hunting site. During the interview, I was asked to share with me how I wanted my career to work at B-EN-G, and since what I was looking for matched with what I wanted to take on, I decided to join the company.
I see it's small. For both of you, an important point in deciding to join the company was the opportunity to be involved in work that supports Japanese manufacturing. What kind of work are you currently doing?
Inoue is currently assigned to the ERP implementation project of a major food manufacturer, and is in charge of managing the development of add-on functions as a sub-leader of the development team. Since it is a large-scale project, the target area is wide and there are many members involved. Through my experience as a sub-leader, I realized that simply bringing together experts from various fields is not enough to carry out a project smoothly. It is important to think about what information to extract from whom, how to convey it to someone else, and how to connect it to the next action. Up until now, I have focused on improving my specialized knowledge, but after taking on the role of sub-leader, I have once again realized the importance of communication skills.
Since joining the company, I have been involved in proposal activities as a pre-sales representative for our company's product mcframe, introducing and demonstrating the product to customers. Even though we are in the manufacturing industry, each industry and customer has different challenges, so I find it rewarding to deepen my understanding of our business and seek solutions through conversations with customers. I also think that the fun part of being a vendor is that we collaborate with partners who sell mcframes to make proposals, and sometimes we get to share our joy with them. I am also involved in marketing activities to make mcframe known to more people. We perform a wide range of work, including holding seminars, creating video content, and participating in exhibitions.
Thank you for not only telling me about the details of your work, but also about what you felt through your work. They are each involved in projects that realize DX in the manufacturing industry, from the development and proposal phases.
An environment where you can take on challenges and a culture that is supportive of employees
KogataNext, please tell us about B-EN-G's company culture and working style.
I believe that Inoue B-EN-G has a corporate culture that listens to the voices of each employee and supports them in taking on challenges. Actually, there was a time when I was worried because I couldn't see a future career plan, and after thinking about it myself, I decided to request a transfer to a different department. When I asked my superior about a department transfer, I expected to receive negative feedback, but that was not the case at all, and he accepted my request straight away. They also suggested a department that seemed to match my wishes and made adjustments to my work so that I could transfer to a department without any problems. I remember how happy I was that they acted in accordance with my wishes.
UzakiI feel that the environment allows me to work with independence since I was a young employee. One thing that surprised me when I joined the company was that from my first year onwards, I was learning through trial and error how to explain the process to customers and how to show demos in important situations such as proposal activities. This is something I was able to think about and put into practice. Even in everyday work, I think there is an atmosphere in which people are willing to listen to their opinions if they have a desire to do so. I have never felt it difficult to work in the environment of B-EN-G, where approximately 80% of the employees are male. I think it's an environment and culture where people can discuss sensitive matters.
B-EN-G has an environment where you can take on challenges regardless of your age or gender. Rather than trying to take on challenges alone, I have the impression that my superiors and colleagues will support me. I think another good thing about B-EN-G is that, as Mr. Inoue said, ``We have an environment where you can talk to your superiors if you have any concerns.'' In addition, at the career plan interview, which is held once a year, we confirm the vision and intentions of each employee, and work with their superiors to consider specific measures to ensure the validity of their career plan and realize it. I think this is a company that will support you.
Build a career while balancing work and family
Mr. Inoue Ogata and Mr. Uzaki have continued to work at B-EN-G even after their marriage, but have there been any changes in the way they work or the way they think about work?
Inoue:After I got married, I took childcare leave six years after joining the company, but because the timing of my return to work coincided with the time when telework was allowed due to the coronavirus pandemic, I was unable to work except for two days a week. I am able to work as well as I did before giving birth, while taking advantage of the advantage of not having to commute. Although I have more worries about time constraints than I did before giving birth, the experience of giving birth has strengthened my desire to be an adult who can be proud of my child as a member of society, and I am able to tackle my work more positively.
Uzaki: I got married a few months ago, but my husband works in a local area and we don't live together yet, so there hasn't been any change in my environment, but emotionally I have become more responsible towards my work. I did. Starting this year, I will be in charge of the training that new employees receive after they are assigned to a division, and I am able to work with a sense of fulfillment every day. In the future, as you think about your career, you may have to face life events such as childbirth and childcare, but B-EN-G has a good system that allows you to balance work and family, so I don't feel particularly anxious. yeah.
Kogata: Both of you are balancing family and work, but you are approaching your work with a new mindset. As Mr. Uzaki said, B-EN-G has a system in place that allows employees to balance work and family. For example, we have established a ``work-life balance system'' and a ``telecommuting system'' that allow all employees to choose between working shorter hours or overtime exemptions depending on their own circumstances. It is also used by our employees. Additionally, although it is not a system, we hold an event called the ``Working Mother Luncheon'' once a month as a place where employees can share their concerns about balancing work and childcare and raising children.
Inoue: Just the other day, I attended a working mothers luncheon! Although it was held online, mothers who were raising children gathered together and had a great time. I was able to empathize with people who have children the same age as me about recent concerns regarding child-rearing, and I was able to hear a lot of stories from people who have children older than me about what they would experience in the future, which was very helpful. Many of our female employees continue to work after giving birth, and it is very reassuring to know that there are concerns that only those working at the same company can share. Mr. Uzaki, how do you interact with female employees?
I often go to lunch with Uzaki 's fellow female employees to report on my current situation and ask them about their concerns about work! I regularly play futsal with my classmates and younger employees, and the participation rate of women is also high, so it's very easy to participate. Also, since last year, a female junior colleague has joined the same department, so we often take breaks together to replenish our sugar intake (lol).In addition, at B-EN-G, we hold a "female employee exchange event". is held every year, so you can deepen your interactions with people from departments you don't normally interact with.
Ogata Human Resources is planning a female employee networking event, and many people participate every year as it is a valuable opportunity to interact with people from various departments. Before the coronavirus pandemic, we held cooking classes and held social gatherings afterwards! Lately, after doing yoga online, I've been having social gatherings with hors d'oeuvres delivered to the participants' homes in advance. Personally, I'm happy that there is a place where women can talk about work and any concerns they may have. We would like to continue holding events in the future to encourage interaction between female employees.
Career you're aiming for
OgataFinally, please tell us about your future career aspirations.
Inoue: I really enjoy my job as a development leader because I see it as a job where I gather and connect the knowledge of many specialists to create something even better. I would like to continue to step up from the current situation. Currently, I am working as a sub-leader, receiving various support from the leader, but I would like to build up the skills to manage projects without support, even if it is just a small project. On the other hand, the way I work may change as my child grows, so I don't want to stick to one direction too much, and I want to be flexible enough to try anything given the opportunity.
Uzaki: In my department, there is a male senior who came back after taking childcare leave, and when he took his leave, I saw how everyone, including his superiors and co-workers, were so cooperative. I felt secure in building my career at B-EN-G. My current department offers a wide range of career options, including proposal activities and marketing activities, so I would like to expand my horizons and improve various skills without narrowing my options. Because my job involves many people both inside and outside the company, including customers, partners, internal sales staff, and engineers, I am not only concerned with what is right in front of me, but also with a four-sided spirit (the four directions: the world, customers, partners, B-EN). -G) I would like to work on this.
Thank you to both of you for speaking with us today about your work style and thoughts at B-EN-G! I would be happy if you could continue to build your career at B-EN-G.
