Wadakay
Graduate of Economics
Joined in 2012
Business Directorate
Business Directorate Office, Business Management Group
Travel Business
What are your current responsibilities?
About one year ago, I was transferred to my current position in the Travel Business Directorate Office. My responsibilities include business forecasting and performance reporting. Put simply, I forecast prospective sales results and the expenses that are likely to be incurred for the current month, the following month, and the month after that, and report those insights to the management team as support for their business decisions so they may ensure that the budget is met. The travel business not only covers accommodations, but also various services like car rentals, bus reservations and airline tickets. Currently, I am leading a project to create a system that helps us better visualize and manage each service so that we can make better management decisions. One aspect of Rakuten’s concepts for success is the phrase, “Always Improve, Always Advance,” which urges us to continuously make small improvements, since those will lead to opportunities when the moment is right. Always Improve, Always Advance. I experience this in my work and am reminded of it time and time again.
What are some of the most memorable experiences from your work?
My first assignment was as an Internet and Travel Consultant (ITC), which I held for five years at the Osaka branch. Though I had many memorable experiences there, the most memorable one was being involved in the preparations for the opening of a new hotel. At the time, the number of new hotel openings in Kansai was increasing significantly due to the increase in tourists visiting Japan from overseas. In that context, I found it exciting to plan pricing and promotions and utilize web-based technologies to make improvements according to reservation conditions, all to help enhance sales. We were able to successfully reach opening day, where I watched customers visiting the hotel with joy knowing that my work as an internet and travel consultant came to fruition and contributed to Rakuten Travel, which connects people with such facilities.
Where do you feel you have improved since joining Rakuten?
Becoming a unit leader of a team of three in my second year, and then leading a team of twelve in my fourth year, has definitely helped me become the person I am today. I learned to be aware that I exerted considerable influence over the lives of my team members, and that at times, I needed to confront them strictly, without hiding or glossing over any issues. I think the biggest advantage of this company is that it provides endless opportunities for personal growth. I became interested in management in my fourth year as an ITC, and a year later, I was given a position that works closely with management in my current department. I work well within our corporate culture, which allows me to make suggestions for improvement rather than passively working within the status quo. I would like to continue to grow by staying true to my personal policy of enjoying every job and everything I do with purpose.
What does your typical work day look like?
I attend meetings of various importance and length every day. Being cognizant of information from other departments is very helpful, so I sometimes proactively and directly reach out to other departments for the most accurate information when preparing materials for important meetings. Occasionally I cannot answer unexpected questions that come up, but I reflect on them immediately so I will be able address them in the next meeting. At the end of the day, before leaving the office, I plan and prepare what I need to discuss with the team the next day. I always need to think ahead and am learning new things every day.
SCHEDULE
- 08:45
- Arrive at the office, check my email, and confirm my schedule. I will add to my to-do list for the day if necessary.
- 09:00
- We have a 5-minute stand-up meeting to discuss our progress and share information.
- 12:00
- Lunchtime in the cafeteria.
- 13:00
- Organize information and prepare materials for the performance sharing session in the evening.
- 16:00
- Performance sharing session. Sometimes, managers ask pointed questions. Any questions that are not clearly answered become a task to prepare for the next meeting.
- 18:00
- We will quickly make a list of the issues identified in the performance sharing session, clarify their causes, and come up with solutions.
- 19:00
- After organizing the solutions and my ideas in a document otherwise preparing for discussions with my team the next day, I leave the office.
*This article is based on information provided at the time of the interview.
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- Applications Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Data Scientist / Researcher
- Security Engineer
- Information Security / Privacy Governance Specialist
- Technology Management
- Product Management
- Development Support（Q&A, etc.)