Interview

Our Jobs and Careers
at the Planning Function

Corporate Strategy and
Business Development Division

R.S.

Deputy General Manager

Mid-career recruitment in 2017

My career

My previous job was at an auditing firm, where I was involved in the management of various companies as a consultant. As I was involved in the management of many clients, I began to feel a strong desire to take ownership and be involved in the mid to long term management of the company, and I began to consider changing jobs. When looking for a new job, what I focused on was the ability to work globally and an environment where mid-career employees can develop their careers without being separated from regular employees. I decided to join Nissan because I was looking forward to the dynamic experience that only Nissan can offer and the sense of fun and accomplishment that comes from overcoming various challenges in a time when the automotive industry is undergoing a once-in-a-century transformation. Since joining Nissan, I have been a member of the Mid-term Business Plan Team in the Corporate Strategy and Business Development Division, where I have continued my career up to the present.

The mid-term management plan is not just announced and done, but there is a subsequent process.

The "mid-term management plan" may images of a management strategy that is announced externally every 3 or 5 years. Nissan's Mid-term business plan team does not move at the timing of the announcement. The team analyzes the external and internal environment qualitatively and quantitatively while collaborating with related divisions in Japan and overseas, including overseas management strategy teams, on a daily basis. In response to the changing business environment, the team identifies issues that need to be addressed in order to realize the company's mid to long term aspirations and ideal image, and examines and implements the actions to be taken in order to realize the mid-term management plan.
The contents of the mid-term management plans are just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the scenes, the plan is based on a variety of plans, including earnings by region and by vehicle model, and we need to make a concerted effort to realize the plan. For this reason, we strive to formulate a plan that can serve as a compass for people involved in the work.

What do you keep in mind when you are working?

I am conscious of taking a diversified view points and working to solve issues effectively and efficiently based on a proper understanding of the issues. We listen carefully to the ideas of each department while taking a broad view of the value chain and strive to derive the optimal solution that will lead to growth as a company. The Mid-term business planning team consists of people with diverse backgrounds, each of whom can look at things from a unique angle. This diversity is indispensable for achieving overall optimization, and I am exposed to new perspectives on a daily basis and am stimulated by them.
Furthermore, from the perspective of corporate management, it is essential to look not only at short-term profits, but also at what is needed to achieve sustainable growth. For example, there are trade-offs to be made, just as there is a possibility of brand damage if more incentives are given to increase sales volume in the immediate future. We always take into account short, mid, and long-term perspectives, and work on the theme of what needs to be done to achieve sustainable growth.

VISION

Since last year, I have concurrently been working in the Region Strategy and Planning Group, China Department in a China-focused planning capacity. Looking at the world, there is a mixture of different issues. Furthermore, each country and region have its own unique characteristics, and we must be aware of these differences while devising strategies. When I thought about my future career, I wanted to see things from a position a little closer to the frontlines, so I volunteered to take on this dual role. The automotive industry in China is changing at a remarkable pace, and I believe that the experience and knowledge I will gain there will be useful in my future career. I would like to continue to take on various challenges without being satisfied with the current status and continue to work on initiatives that will lead to long-term growth for the company and for myself.