To celebrate its 25th anniversary, B-EN-G held a commemorative event, "B-EN-G week," in December 2024. The five-day event combined online events utilizing the metaverse environment with real-life opportunities for interaction, with the aim of fostering a sense of unity and internal branding among all group companies both in Japan and overseas.
Event concept and planning background
The event was planned with the concepts of "creativity" and "unity." In order to realize B-EN-G's purpose of "increasing the number of creative businesses in the world," the company itself aims to be creative, and all domestic and overseas bases work together to achieve group growth. The event was planned and managed by approximately 10 project members who were recruited from within the company. The participation of diverse members from various departments led to the creation of new perspectives and ideas that transcended departmental boundaries. The event took place after five months of preparation, from July to December 2024.
Metaverse enables communication beyond the constraints of time and place
The online event "B-Meta 25" utilized a metaverse environment built with the cooperation of m-lab Inc., enabling interaction that transcended the constraints of location and time.
In a discussion between the presidents of B-EN-G and B-SERV, held in the metaverse space, they spoke about the mission that the entire group is aiming for. There was also time set aside to answer requests and questions from employees, providing a valuable opportunity for management and employees to become closer.
In addition, at the employee-participation presentation competition "THE CREATE," speakers showcased their own skills and ideas. This was a very lively event that everyone could participate in and was driven by a voting system by the audience. The presentations ranged from ideas for using generative AI to personal hobbies, highlighting the diverse personalities and creativity of our employees.
Other exhibits included photos from when B-EN-G was founded, videos introducing the company's software, and corporate branding videos. Employees who have been with the company since its founding felt nostalgic and reminisced, while for new members and overseas members, it was a good opportunity to deepen their understanding of the company's history and business. Furthermore, an online introduction to overseas bases allowed participants to learn about the daily lives and cultures of overseas members with whom they usually have little opportunity to interact in person through videos filmed in each location. After watching the movies, participants were seen calling out to members of overseas bases in the metaverse, giving a real sense of the group's global reach and hinting at signs of stronger collaboration in the future.
Offline events that promote real-life interactions
Four offline events were held. At "THE CONNECT," participants were able to interact across department and age boundaries through workshops and mini-games in groups of six. A total of 64 people participated, providing a valuable opportunity for a wide range of people, from new recruits to executives, to come together in one place. At the end of the event, a social gathering over food and drinks was also held, allowing participants to deepen their interactions. Furthermore, many of the participants in "THE CONNECT" expressed positive opinions, such as "It's great to see the young members so lively and active," and "I would like to continue to greet and talk to the members of my team.", indicating that they would like to use the event as an opportunity to deepen their friendships with other members.
"Latte Puri" encouraged interaction between employees through the experience of printing their favorite photos and brand logos onto cafe lattes. The completed lattes were also posted on the company's Slack, and positive stamps were exchanged online. At "B-snap", which was held on the same day, a photo spot was set up to help create memories of the event. Photos taken at the photo spot could be seen being used at "Latte Puri", creating a synergistic effect between the events.
On "B-Radio," a generation gap discussion between the founding members and a 25-year-old young employee was held, creating an opportunity for intergenerational dialogue. An interesting conversation unfolded, discussing the company's history, transitions, and outlook for the future from the perspectives of different generations.
In addition, employees were invited to post information such as recommended information for the area around the Otemachi head office, which also served as an opportunity for everyday communication.
Strengthening the sense of unity within the group and leading to further growth
Throughout the five-day event, new connections were made between employees, and the sense of unity within the group was definitely strengthened. It was a typical B-EN-G event that valued the use of technology and the relationships within the entire B-EN-G group, including the use of the metaverse environment and the introduction of new methods of expression such as latte art. Going forward, B-EN-G will continue to aim to grow into a more creative and innovative corporate group for the future.
