I want to continue acting with a sense of personal responsibility towards achieving my goals, which is why I decided to join ZEALS

– I heard that your previous job was also at a venture company. Why did you choose to join ZEALS, which is also a venture?

At my previous job, I was in sales at a venture company that handled real estate development and management of rental properties. Immediately after joining as a new graduate, I was transferred to Hokkaido, where I managed about 200 rental properties across the region and handled communication with around 100 property owners. While collaborating with local real estate management companies, I was responsible for recruitment of tenants, initiatives to encourage long-term residency, and all related real estate management tasks.

Although I had opportunities to take on significant and diverse responsibilities, many of the proposals were somewhat standardized, mainly focused on combining our services to address existing issues. I became increasingly eager to think more creatively on my own and to propose what could be done and what would be optimal in response to the challenges faced by others.

It was during this time that I encountered ZEALS. There are three major reasons why I decided to join.

The first reason is that I felt there was an environment where I could make specific proposals across a wide range of industries and challenges, as ZEALS has its own products. The second reason is that I felt my own skills would broaden through such work experiences. Lastly, the charm of the interviewers played a crucial role in my final decision. I believed that by working alongside team members who have their own thoughts and ideas and by engaging in mutual growth through absorption and sharing, the speed of growth would accelerate, which is why I decided to join ZEALS at that moment.

Furthermore, my daily guiding principles include the desire to "think about what I can do now to achieve my goals and act on it" and "to manage the entire process from identifying challenges to proposing solutions, and to work in an environment where I can thrive at the forefront." I find joy and fulfillment in the free and flexible environment that ZEALS offers.

The significance of not being bound by past successes and continuously catching up

– You joined ZEALS from a non-IT company. Did you experience any confusion or anxiety?

Looking back, I was working quite hard at my previous job (laughs). To be honest, I did not have any concerns regarding “work-life balance.” In terms of skills, I enjoyed being in an environment that required "always catching up and thinking and acting independently," so I have been able to engage positively with a wide range of unknown tasks. Since ZEALS provides services to diverse industries, I feel daily that a deep interest, curiosity, and insight into the industry and clients I work with is essential.

Amidst this, I believe that "being open-minded" is crucial for self-driven growth at a swift pace. Even when entering an industry where I lack experience, it’s common to rely on past successes and take actions based on those experiences, but I think this can sometimes become a barrier to growth. For someone like me entering from a completely different industry, there are many things that are unclear. To absorb feedback from those around me and to maximize my stance on my work, I need to be like a dry sponge. I believe it's essential to discard any inappropriate pride and to maintain an "open-minded" attitude as a foundation. One of the reasons I find working at ZEALS rewarding is that there are members of various ages and experiences thriving at the forefront, which broadens the scope of learning.

Another important aspect is to "have my own thoughts and opinions on everything." I believe there isn't always a predetermined right answer as I carry out my duties. The challenges faced by clients, the people involved, and the circumstances vary from moment to moment. Therefore, it's crucial to accurately grasp the current state, hold my own thoughts and opinions around the facts, and this awareness leads to broadening my thinking.

Learning and acquiring ways to derive answers on my own have led to an acceleration in my growth speed.

– It seems you have successfully utilized your own ingenuity in your work. What do you think is the point where you have grown the most since joining ZEALS?

I believe I have developed the flexibility to respond without being bound by fixed concepts. During business negotiations, I do prepare proposals in advance, but it rarely goes as planned. Since the services provided by ZEALS are aimed at solving the challenges that our clients face, the first step is to identify their needs. I think the most valuable insights come from the thoughts and feelings of those working on-site. It is about how well we can uncover any concerns or issues they might not have noticed and contribute to discovering a better future.

I consciously work to clarify what needs to be done by flexibly aligning on common goals based on what I gain from negotiations. The moments when I felt I could adapt to changes during negotiations were the times I felt the most fulfilled.

Pursuing solutions without giving up and continuing to accumulate small value is essential

– Have these efforts paid off, allowing you to steadily build relationships with new clients and achieve results? What actions have you taken?

First, I thoroughly analyzed the circumstances of the clients I handle. I believe that presenting optimal measures for specific challenges and allowing them to feel the value leads to their satisfaction and builds a solid foundation for good relationships. While definitely thinking for myself, I believe we can derive even more optimal solutions through flat discussions within the team, including management.

Additionally, I value "acting from the other person's perspective." I always strive for communication that ensures everyone I interact with, both inside and outside the company, can work pleasantly. Ultimately, I hope to be seen as someone they would like to work with! (laughs).

I believe that this slightly altered awareness and the continuation of such actions have contributed to building relationships with stakeholders and producing results with a sense of speed.

– ZEALS has a vision of "overcoming Japan and the world." In your work, are there any practices that you keep in mind to realize this vision?

I constantly strive to explore and continue proposing ways to solve issues that evolve with our clients through ZEALS.

In the insurance industry I handle, due to product characteristics and regulations regarding handling information, it can be quite challenging to accelerate the use of AI and full-funnel marketing efforts.

Even so, I believe it’s essential to continue exploring solutions that align with our clients' challenges and to accumulate small value without giving up.