Training Seminar in Kochi 💛 Connecting with Business Owners

Actually, it was my first time visiting Kochi! Through a series of connections, I ended up conducting a training session for the Kochi Information Club ✨ In Kochi, I was able to interact with wonderful business owners while enjoying delicious food and drinks 😊

It all started with a "Profile Creation Seminar"

Tomokazu Nakao hosted a morning activity called "Asa-Bizi," where I spoke at a profile seminar.

I never imagined at the time that this connection would lead to me visiting Kochi two months later!

For those who participated in the seminar and were interested, I held a group consulting session for profile editing.

I sent an email summarizing the key points of our discussion to those who attended the group consulting session. Then, separate from their thank-you emails, I received a very happy invitation.

Training request from a seminar and group consulting participant

They said, "I want to share the experience of having my direction clarified with other business owners in Kochi," and they actually requested a training session!

And so, it was decided that I would speak at the Kochi Information Club in November! I then thought about the needs from a business owner's perspective and created a training program.

My first in-person speaking engagement in two and a half years

The last time I spoke in person was in January 2020. It was a profile creation seminar held in collaboration with Haruka Suko, the representative of the Japan Professional Speaker Association.

After that, it was all online speaking engagements... Over the past two years, I've had more opportunities to talk about social media and note. For this training in Kochi, I conducted a workshop on social media utilization in the first half and business profiles in the second half. It might be called the culmination of the courses I've done so far.

My first time in Kochi

Actually, it was my first time visiting Kochi ✨ In fact, I had never been to Shikoku at all.

On the morning of the training, it was drizzling at Haneda Airport. But once the plane took off, I could see the blue sky ✨ I realized that even if it's raining on the ground, it's sunny above the clouds.

Mr. Inui, the organizer of the Kochi Information Club, even arranged my flight tickets and accommodation, for which I am grateful 💛

At Kochi Ryoma Airport

I took a commemorative photo in front of the Sakamoto Ryoma statue at Kochi Ryoma Airport. I've arrived in Kochi!

The stage of Tokiro 💛 Lunch at the Kochi restaurant "Toketsuro"

Mr. Inui, who came to pick me up at the airport by car, had reserved a place for lunch.

It is a long-established restaurant that even served as the setting for "Yohkiro".

The presentation was beautiful, and every dish was delicious 💛

Training at the Kochi City Memorial Museum of Ryoma Sakamoto's Birthplace

After dropping off my luggage at the hotel, I took a taxi to the training venue. The training venue was, believe it or not, the
Kochi City Memorial Museum of Ryoma Sakamoto's Birthplace!

The first half was a lecture on SNS utilization

The title of the training was "What Kochi business owners should be doing! SNS utilization and business profile creation seminar." The first half focused on a lecture about using SNS.

The business owners who participated in this training do not post on SNS themselves. I also talked about checkpoints for writing when staff members within their companies post on SNS.

A workshop on writing about favorite foods in Kochi

Just by covering the "5W1H," the minimum necessary information is conveyed to the reader.

We held a workshop on writing about "my favorite foods in Kochi" and had everyone present them. "Irifune's tuna," "Miyashin's mullet roe," "Shimizu mackerel sashimi," "fried amego trout," and so on... they all sound delicious 💛

Speaking of Kochi, "seared bonito" (katsuo no tataki) is famous, but through the workshop, I learned for the first time that there is a local dish called "seared eggplant" (nasu no tataki)!

Since we were on the topic of "tataki," someone even wrote about "seared moray eel" (utsubo no tataki)! There was also a share that you can only order one skewer of "seared chicken meatballs" (tsukune no tataki) per person at the popular restaurant "Nikomi-chan."

Talking about favorite foods really gets everyone excited! It made me want to eat delicious food from Kochi too (lol).

The second half was a business profile creation workshop

In the second half, we held a business profile creation workshop.

In groups of three, we assigned roles of "speaker," "listener," and "scribe." We wrote down memorable points on sticky notes and handed them to the speaker. We repeated this until everyone had a turn to speak.

The same members worked on a total of four workshops. The atmosphere was friendly and lively, with conversations buzzing. Some even mentioned, 'I'm glad I was able to get to know the other group members.'

One person from each group presented the summarized content.

We also received feedback saying, 'I was able to summarize how I am perceived by others.'

Insights and feedback from Inui-san, organizer of the Kochi Information Club

Kochi Information Club organizer Inui-san shared the key points of this training session on Facebook.

The content of Inui-san's comments is as follows:

I was happy to see that in the final workshop, some were able to recall their 'starting point'—the reason why they do this work 😊

Networking with business owners at the social gathering

After the training, we held a social gathering at 'Tosa Ryori Tsukasa.' It is a 100-year-old establishment and the birthplace of Tosa cuisine.

I was surprised to see them preparing seared bonito right in front of us! This is my first time seeing something like this!!

We enjoyed delicious food while chatting with everyone.

What I am holding in my hand is the famous Kochi sake, 'Suigei.'

I was even given a bottle as a souvenir 💛

I had a wonderful time enjoying delicious food with such lovely business owners 😊

Introduction of everyone I met in Kochi

Kochi Information Club

This is a cross-industry study group that has been running for over 30 years. It is a casual, no-tie gathering of various people, including business owners, professionals, and school officials.

This time, I was invited to speak at a training seminar by Kyoko Inui, the organizer of the Kochi Information Club. Through this training, I would like to introduce the companies of the people I had the pleasure of meeting.

Asahi Foods Co., Ltd., Suigei Brewing Co., Ltd., and Hotel Nikko Kochi Asahi Royal

A food company founded in 1923. I enjoyed the "Suigei" sake from one of their group companies, Suigei Brewing Co., Ltd., at the social gathering and was even given some as a souvenir. I am so grateful! 💛

I stayed at Hotel Nikko Kochi Asahi Royal, which is under the Asahi Foods umbrella, but I learned that the hotel business will be transferred to Hoshino Resorts on April 1st of next year.

The Christmas decorations inside the hotel were beautiful. ✨

I was also able to take photos of the water surface at the river flowing behind the hotel.

Futagami Co., Ltd.

A community-based company involved in housing construction, home centers, automotive supplies, and pet supply sales. They are an indispensable presence in the lives of Kochi Prefecture residents.

YAMAKIN Co., Ltd.

A company that mainly deals in dental materials. I heard that they even produce their own advertising videos in-house. They celebrated their 65th anniversary in 2022.

Asano Co., Ltd.

Speaking of Kochi, it's ginger. This company sells frozen ginger, grated ginger, and ginger tea. I love their catchphrase, "A company that creates happiness and deliciousness." ✨

I was so happy to see that they started a note account right away and posted the business profile they created during the training! 😊

Hirose Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd.

A company that manufactures battery separators, filters, and more. I learned for the first time after hearing their story that their products are used in familiar industrial goods!

Konan Medical Co., Ltd.

A company that provides school lunches for facilities such as schools and hospitals. They provide health guidance to improve lifestyle habits and collaborate with research institutions in Kochi Prefecture to develop new products.

Miroku Co., Ltd.

A company that originally manufactured whaling guns. Currently, they produce rifles and steering wheels for automobiles. Founded in 1893, it is a company with over 100 years of history.

Otsuka & Tsuda Law Office

A law firm where you can easily consult about daily troubles. They handle a wide range of matters, from general civil cases such as inheritance, wills, bankruptcy, and land/real estate issues, to overall corporate legal affairs.

As I looked over the business cards I received and revisited the websites of the companies and offices... I realized once again that everyone is contributing to the local community. I am grateful for the opportunity to interact with such wonderful people in person 💛

Guest appearance on Captain Nakamura's Voicy radio 💛