Interview

As store manager of Calbo Motor Cars, I'm entrusted with all aspects of store operations — hiring, HR, sales, dispatch management, and documentation. Samurai Technologies is originally a systems development company, and this is a new business venture that's only a few years old. Honestly, the business scale is still small, so each person handles a wide range of tasks, but that also means the growth speed is fast. Rather than repeating partial tasks like at a large corporation, being able to work while understanding the full picture is one of the biggest attractions of this workplace.

I've worked in the used car industry for about 15 years. It wasn't that I had any complaints at my previous job, but I felt I wanted to challenge myself in a new environment using my skills and experience. While browsing various job sites, I happened to find this company. That said, I wasn't particularly drawn to anything in the job listing. Rather, the vision was written there, but specifics about what kind of work I'd be responsible for were quite unclear. So I applied thinking, 'Let me just go hear about it directly.' Looking back, I'm not sure why I applied, but maybe it was fate (laughs). When I heard directly from CEO Masuda, I learned that 'there are many new challenges to tackle, but a shortage of people who can run the business.' I decided to join, thinking I could support them with my experience.

The high degree of freedom to work with autonomy. Being able to act on my own judgment while exchanging opinions with top management is valuable. Also, given the nature of the industry, interaction with customers is essential. There are many car dealerships out there, but having customers trust us with their cars is rewarding in itself. Additionally, we handle a wide variety of car models, making it an unparalleled environment for car enthusiasts. And because the organization is small, many people find it appealing to be involved in various types of work compared to large companies. You can learn the full picture of operations, making it an environment directly connected to future career advancement and personal growth. Working as a 'business driver' is the real thrill of this workplace.

'Taking initiative more than anyone else.' If you only give orders without moving yourself, people won't follow. I believe that by showing them you're working two or three times harder, your teammates will naturally follow. In talent development, rather than drilling in manuals, I value the 'fundamentals as a person' — things like first impressions and communication skills. In recent years, due to labor shortages and technological evolution, there's a demand for operational efficiency using IT tools. Of course, we actively utilize them where appropriate, but rather than making everything efficient, we need to identify which parts should remain human. Especially in sales, personality itself becomes a differentiator. Samurai Technologies has particular strength in IT utilization since its parent is a systems development company. On the other hand, there are many situations on-site where only humans can respond. How to balance these is an ongoing challenge, and I frequently discuss it with the CEO. That said, the CEO respects on-site opinions, so having an environment where 'you can voice your opinion' and 'field voices are easily reflected' is also a strength.

Our goal is to strengthen sales, increase revenue and profit margins, and expand the business. In particular, for sales, I want to focus on improving 'quality' over 'quantity.' I want to develop salespeople who are 'trusted as people,' not just car sellers. To achieve this, I'm thorough about the importance of language and first impressions in training, and I want to support each staff member in becoming someone who can 'use themselves as their weapon.' In the long term, I want to strengthen our direct purchasing capabilities and build a brand where people say, 'You can trust Calbo Motor Cars.'

Someone who respects colleagues and can cooperate. Since we're a small organization, it's not about finishing when your own work is done — we need people who can naturally help others in need. Also, I'd like someone who can 'enjoy their work.' People who enjoy what they do grow faster and have a positive influence on those around them.