Even work that doesn't involve standing in front of customers is connected to our MVW

My name is Kayaba, and I serve as the General Manager of the IT Division/IT Management Department at Okura Shoji Co., Ltd.
I typically handle internal IT-related tasks, ApparelX product data management, and administrative department duties such as accounting.

Recently, I took some time with internal team members to hold a 2-night, 3-day retreat for six managers at NOT A HOTEL AOSHIMA, which is owned by the company, to establish our MVW (Mission, Vision, Way).

I feel that getting away from our usual work environment was extremely beneficial for focusing on a single task.
I don't think we would have arrived at this MVW, or achieved this sense of conviction, if we had discussed the same content for the same amount of time in a conference room.

The value of MVW as I personally see it

I wrote 'personally' because the importance of MVW is discussed in numerous books.
For this retreat as well, I read relevant books in advance before attending.

To put it simply, I believe the value of MVW lies in it being the foundation for the value judgments, motivation, and various behavioral standards of the individuals who belong to the company.

For example, whether my actions are in line with the mission, whether they are actions to achieve the vision, or whether they follow the behavioral standards of the 'Way' for that purpose...

Also, when we face difficulties or struggles at work, we can return to this MVW to remember why we are here and what we are aiming for, and to recall our original intentions.

I felt that when such an MVW and each individual's actions work together like the two wheels of a car—when the MVW and daily actions are connected—the company's vision is embodied externally, leading to the achievement of the vision as a result.

I also felt that rather than deciding the MVW from the top down, it is closely related to the corporate culture and climate that have been cultivated until now, so this aspect must also be cherished.

I thought about these sentiments during the retreat, and we formulated our mission, vision, and way through many sessions.

Mission: 'Brightening the future of the industry'

While satisfying the customers we interact with is a given, this mission represents the reason for the EXCY Group's existence—our raison d'être.

By utilizing technology and pursuing customer satisfaction, we engage in daily activities to create a better industry and one that young people will want to work in even more.

With this aspiration in our hearts, I would like to tackle our daily tasks.

Vision: 'Creating the world's number one apparel business platform'

So, what are we aiming for with that mission in our hearts?
That is our vision. We aim to be the world's number one apparel business platform.

The goal of being 'number one in the world' might feel large, but I believe there are ideas that only come to mind when aiming for the top, challenges that can only be taken on when aiming for the top, and levels of customer satisfaction that can only be reached when aiming for the top.

And by setting the goal of being number one in the world, I feel that the simple vision gains concreteness in terms of what we should be aiming for.

Way: 7 Behavioral Guidelines

Based on this mission and vision, we also created the 'Way.' These are our behavioral guidelines and also the values we hold dear.

1. Customer First

2. Integrity Above All

3. Create and Execute

4. Learn and Grow

5. Team Play

6. Benevolence, Justice, Courtesy, Wisdom, Loyalty, Trust, Filial Piety, and Fraternal Love

7. Playfulness

Working steadily and sincerely to build up what customers need is a value that has been passed down through the Excy Group.
Furthermore, it is not just about thinking, but executing and producing results.
Continuing to learn in order to grow.
Demonstrating greater strength as a team with a spirit of altruism rather than individual play.
Living a better life without forgetting the eight virtues that have been passed down since ancient times.
Our founding business of lining materials embodies the spirit of 'iki' (chic) that has continued since the Edo period—showing individuality in places that are not conspicuous. I believe that not forgetting that spirit, while not being too intense, and having free-thinking ideas leads to this playfulness.

Finally, as someone in the IT and administrative departments

I believe that the work I do in managing ApparelX products, internal IT operations, and accounting—tasks within the administrative department—has fewer opportunities for direct customer contact than other departments.

However, I am convinced that this MVW, which we formulated through this training camp, will resonate with and permeate everyone, regardless of whether they are in the IT or administrative departments.

In the IT department, it means contributing to customer satisfaction by organizing ApparelX product data accurately, clearly, and in a way that is easy to search. It also means promoting development and providing new services that delight customers.
As an internal IT specialist, it means creating an environment where members can spend more time facing our customers.
It means performing accounting and administrative tasks accurately to create a foundation upon which the company can safely take on challenges.
I believe that each of these tasks is an important foundation for building the world's number one apparel business platform.

The work of the IT and administrative departments is essential to supporting the company in order to achieve our mission of brightening the future of the industry.
In particular, administrative tasks such as general affairs and accounting may be similar in any company.
That is precisely why I believe this MVW is important.
Whether you think of your work as 'managing company money' or as 'contributing to brightening the future of the industry and building the world's number one apparel business platform' will change your sense of fulfillment and motivation for your work.

Personally, I would like to use this MVW as a pillar moving forward to constantly grow myself and to carry out my daily tasks and improvements for the sake of our customers and company members.