11th week in office. We are changing our business hours.

Good morning.

This is Takahiro Toriyama, whose nose is ticklish, eyes are bleary, and who has started searching for ENT clinic appointments. Spring is just around the corner.

This year, various meetings and events have made a full-scale comeback. I have multiple face-to-face meetings every day, and opportunities for commemorative events and long-awaited dinners have also increased.

Recently, I threw beans at the Kanda Myojin Setsubun Festival, talked late into the night with Dr. O after a decoration celebration in Kagoshima and Kumamoto, had a fun dinner with a close friend who is a company president after the Gift Show, and on the 17th, the Yokoyamacho Service Association 90th Anniversary Party was held grandly; it has been a lively time.

There are only a few days left, but this February seems to be flying by.


---

Now,
today, I would like to inform you that during this period, Nitto Towel has made a major decision and changed its operational policy.

That is, a "reduction in business hours."

Until now, Nitto Towel's business hours were 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Starting February 13th, we have decided to close at 3:00 PM on weekdays, shortening our hours by two hours.

The reasons are the following three:

■ The first is the "decrease in the number of customers visiting our store."

Over the past three years, the appearance of the wholesale district has changed significantly, the number of customers visiting our store has decreased, and orders and inquiries via the internet, phone, and fax have increased.

In particular, since evening visits are limited to customers coming to pick up pre-ordered products, we believe that as long as we keep the department responsible for that service, we will cause almost no inconvenience.

Furthermore, since our sales representatives will be in the office, it is still possible to visit and pick up products as before.

■ The second is the "change in the nature of inquiries."

The number of customers purchasing standard towels as they are has decreased, and instead, the number of people wishing to produce original towels has increased.

Original towels come in a variety of types, such as printed, embroidered, and woven, and the back-and-forth communication with customers and the building of trust are more important than anything else.

In order to focus on original towel orders with our limited staff, we will set and secure the two hours of shortened business time as slots for leisurely, individual consultations regarding original towels.

At the same time, we will also work to improve the skills of our internal staff and cultivate a foundation that allows for a wide range of proposals.

■ The third is "investment in change."

Our company has been in business for over 70 years, and we should not have been able to survive without changing; however, after such a long history, there are many things that have become a matter of following precedent. In reality, things should never be stable, so if a company does not change, it cannot survive in this era of drastic change.

For that reason, I believe it is necessary to initiate small changes myself and train to make those changes my allies. In that sense, although it may cause some burden and inconvenience to our business partners and the local community, we will use this reduction in business hours as an opportunity to strengthen our company's ability to adapt to change.

---

By the way, at 3:00 PM in the evening. Our shutters will close while it is still bright outside.

Since it is a yellow building, it stands out, so I have been thinking recently about whether we can make these shutters interesting. I am waiting for proposals from artists who can find a fun way to utilize these shutters.

Well, I will report back later on what happens after the business hours are shortened. Have a great week!

--------

This note is for Toriyama to inform everyone of his weekly activities and thoughts since becoming president of Nitto Towel on November 30, 2022 (or so it seems lol).

I may take a break from time to time, but basically, I update it every weekend, so I would appreciate it if you could continue to follow along. If you drop by at a random moment, you might find us trying something new.
I will make this a note that also values serendipity, so thank you for your support!

Takahiro Toriyama