Nice to meet you. My name is Ogawa, and I have been seconded to B-EN-G Thailand since July 2024. This is my first time contributing to INSIDE-B. Now in its 22nd year since being based in Thailand, B-EN-G Thailand has undertaken various initiatives in the second half of 2024, taking advantage of the move to a new office. This time, I would like to report on these activities.
Opening ceremony and office strategy herald a new start
On August 30, 2024, B-EN-G Thailand moved to a new office due to business expansion. At the opening ceremony, a local monk was invited to recite sutras in accordance with Thai tradition, and prayers were also held at a shrine in the new office building. We believe that we have been able to clearly demonstrate our respect for local culture as a global company. The new office was designed with the concept of an "office you'll want to visit," modeled after the Otemachi office in Tokyo. Taking into consideration the facilities of the Otemachi office and the Thai work style of working while communicating, we focused on creating an environment that promotes employee interaction, such as installing a coffee machine, providing snacks, and a relaxing sofa area. The sign at the entrance was painted in traditional Thai paint, expressing the fact that although we are a Japanese company, we are also a company that is rooted in the local area.
"B-EN-G(TH) Day" was filmed entirely in Thai
In September, we completely renewed the "B-EN-G (TH) Day" that had been held for Japanese customers until the previous year, and made it for local customers. It was the first attempt to hold the event entirely in Thai, but it was a great success. Many more Thai customers than expected attended the event.
What we found particularly valuable about this event was that it was all done in-house. Everything from wallpaper and banner production and installation to reception, hosting, and panel discussion coordination was handled by members of B-EN-G Thailand, except for the photographer.
The fact that we were able to hold such an event on our own gave the whole team a great boost of confidence. Incidentally, since seminars with meals are common in Thailand, the dinner party we held after the event was also well received by the participants and proved to be an effective initiative.
First company trip and user group activities
The first ever company trip I took was to Khao Yai, a resort town two and a half hours from Bangkok. Khao Yai is a mountain resort similar to Karuizawa in Japan, and members who are usually divided into departments gathered together under the theme of "One Team."
During the team-building activities at the hotel, we discovered unexpected sides of our colleagues that we don't see at work, and deepened our relationships beyond our departments. Even though I don't usually drink much, I was able to spend a fulfilling time drinking until 2 a.m. when the last group broke up.
In addition, in August and November, we held a meeting for mcframe users, MCUG (mcframe Users Group), in Thailand. In Thailand, it is customary to hold sessions for Thai users and Japanese users separately. This is to create an environment where each participant can speak more freely, but at the social gathering after the session, both groups join together to promote natural exchange.
Year-end review and company dinner
At the end of the year, we held our annual Company Dinner. We held a dinner party at a nice restaurant where we looked back on the activities of the year, held a lucky draw and exchanged Christmas gifts, and were able to close out 2024 in a fun atmosphere.
At the event, we distributed tote bags with the B mark, which were given to everyone by the B-EN-G headquarters. It was a wonderful moment where we could feel a sense of unity and the feeling that "we are also important members of the B-EN-G family."
A global base with roots in the local community
This was my first contribution, and I hope I was able to convey at least a little of the atmosphere of B-EN-G Thailand. Although the article was mostly about events, I am usually busy with my work.
Through the efforts we made at B-EN-G Thailand in the second half of 2024, we once again realized the importance of balancing external activities with strengthening internal unity. By balancing building relationships with customers and the local community with strengthening ties within the team, we feel that we have grown into a company that is loved locally, rather than simply being an overseas base of a Japanese company.
We respect the rich Thai culture and cherish and nurture the values inherited from Japan. While maintaining this attitude, B-EN-G Thailand will continue to walk with the local community and challenge itself to create new value as a bridge between Thailand and Japan. We will continue to report on B-EN-G Thailand's activities whenever the opportunity arises.
