I feel like my life has finally begun.

It has been one month since I moved from Sumitomo Corporation to CellSource.

The first month ended while I was running around trying to adapt to a workplace environment and assignments that were completely different from what I was used to. I would like to summarize my realizations from this past month while quoting a scene from the manga "Left Hand Layla".

When it begins, you'll know when it begins.

The following is an exchange between Kaido, the principal of an art university preparatory school in the same manga, and Asakura, the protagonist and a student.

When I read this volume, I stopped turning the pages and closed the book. Asakura and Kaido were articulating the things I had been struggling with far too well.

Is this my life, my own blank slate of a life?

During the 13 years I worked at Sumitomo Corporation, I was unable to get a sense of living my own life (excluding my private life; I am talking about work).

I led several investments, including M&A deals worth billions of yen, and went into a company overseas with hundreds of employees all by myself, making decisions that swayed the company's fate... Certainly, when written down, it reads like I was doing some kind of exciting, one-of-a-kind work.

However, I was constantly plagued by the thought:

I was constantly tormented by this thought.

Originally, this is something that is pointless to worry about. It is inseparable from the equation "Sumitomo Corporation x Kaoru Hosoda = Results," and as long as you belong to a company, it is only natural. It is impossible to distinguish where one ends and the other begins.

However, the 8 trillion yen in assets and the zaibatsu-affiliated trading company brand were overwhelmingly powerful, and it was more than enough to make me think, "Sumitomo Corporation: 99%, Kaoru Hosoda: 1%? Or maybe 0.1%?"

To write something arrogant, I did achieve results relative to others within Sumitomo Corporation, and there were times I felt I was talented. But for someone with the aforementioned worries, that did not serve as any element to affirm my own life.

This desire pushed me to change jobs. Thinking back, I feel like this one panel may have unknowingly become a trigger.

It really was Connecting the Dots.

One month since changing jobs. In an environment where the industry, business type, corporate culture, and job title are all completely different, the days have passed like a raging torrent. I am trying my best to contribute value in every meeting and interview I participate in, but well, I'm not quite there yet.

However, I have gained one major conviction.

That is.

Dots of 'People'

In the past month, I have already reached out to over ten mentors and friends to receive ideas and advice (I am very grateful to Hey's Kato-san, Ubie's Ueda-san, Rallys' Kawashima-san, and Fuji TV's Nishimura-san for helping me multiple times within just one month...).

None of these individuals were people I worked with in the past; they are people I connected with personally. From the time we met until today, there has been no ulterior motive whatsoever.

Receiving advice on work from such people, and being able to offer something in return.

Something is born from relationships built on pure 'curiosity about people,' completely unrelated to business. I am already happy because I can feel such a wonderful future, and I am truly glad that I have been conscious of building connections outside of work in the past.

Dots of 'Experience'

Whether it's the content of meetings or communication, the situations I encounter every day are all new. I can't keep up with the information processing, and by Friday, I'm already foaming at the mouth, haha.

However, when I abstract and generalize those contents and events, I often feel,'This is similar to that situation,'or'I can apply the way of thinking from that time,'and the moments where I think, 'Oh, this is completely new...' are fewer than I expected, thanks to my past experiences.

When I was able to think this, I felt as if my professional life had been affirmed, and I felt the tension leave my shoulders.

Dots of 'Knowledge'

Since I started working, and especially over the last few years, I have consciously put effort into reading. To ensure my fields of interest are not biased, I have also introduced a system where,'When I meet a wonderful person, I ask them to introduce me to one recommended book.'

As a result, although I am currently receiving assignments unlike anything in my life so far, when I opened each drawer, I found that I had accumulated knowledge little by little.

Of course, that alone is not nearly enough, but having knowledge that serves as a hook is extremely reliable when it comes to studying.

No matter how busy I am, I want to maintain the habit of making time to read books at all costs...

But, ideas are worthless

Among the 'CellSource Thinking 21,' which are the behavioral and thinking norms of our company, CellSource, the phrase I like the most and which keeps me on my toes is'Ideas are worthless.'

I am someone who naturally struggles to come up with ideas, but over the past month, by connecting the Dots mentioned above, I have been able to generate all sorts of ideas. I felt happy, as if I had overcome a weakness, but this phrase really keeps me grounded.

Generating ideas alone doesn't change anything. It is only by implementing them in society that they matter. I will continue to increase my Dots while striving to produce results.

I feel like my life has begun. ...So what?

From an outsider's perspective, I have simply switched ships from Sumitomo Corporation to CellSource, and one might say,"It's not your ship, is it?"In fact, that is the truth.

However, the sense of responsibility and tension is completely different. Now, my own abilities and results directly impact the company's performance and growth. This is not arrogance. In a company of 100 people, everyone is in that position, and it is self-evident that if I were to devise a misguided management strategy, the impact would be significant.

Rather than being satisfied that my life has begun, I will devote myself daily to making it flourish and delivering happiness to all stakeholders, including our employees and their families.

My current scope of coverage is as follows. If there is anyone who might be interested in working together, please feel free to contact me (via Twitter or Facebook).

#ManagementStrategy, #StrategicHR, #ToCMarketing, #DigitalMarketing, #M&A, #StartupInvestment