Are you giving your best and feeling energized at work every day?

Dear Colleagues,

In April 2018, it was announced that the Hitachi Group’s consolidated financial revenue for the year ended 31 March 2018 has shown an increase of 2.3 % year over, to 9,368.6 billion yen (88,383 million USD). Income increased 21.7 % year over, translating to 7,146 billion yen (6,732 million USD). Amongst the countries, the revenues in ASEAN and India maintained growth and increased 12% over year. EBIT (7.6%) is almost 8%, which is our target of the 2018 Mid-term Management Plan. I must say that you are part of the reasons of these great results. Thank you very much for your hard work and for persevering! I hope you will continue with these fervent efforts!

Now I would like to share with you three of my personal beliefs, which I hope you will find useful and apply them in your daily work.

Putting Ourselves in Others’ Place

For a long time, I had been engaged in IT System Sales for Financial Institutions in Japan, and I am not afraid to say that I finally figured out how important this belief is - “putting ourselves in others’ place”.

We need to empathize with what customers are thinking, their situations and concerns. When we put ourselves in their shoes, we gradually come to see how we can value-add our customers. Looking only from Hitachi’s or our own perspectives will not take us far.

Since I came to Southeast Asia, I have noticed diverse differences in terms of customers’ cultural backgrounds and business models, compared to Japan’s. This makes me realize how important it is to “put myself in another person’s place”, which applies not only to our customers, but also to colleagues within the Hitachi Group, as well as partners outside Hitachi. Holding on to this belief enables us to communicate more effectively with our internal and external stakeholders.

Connect with Others

I believe that innovation can be generated through combining diverse, old and new knowledge and know-how. In order to innovate and co-create, we need to have good network and connection with others. If we have good connections with a variety of people inside and outside the company, we are able to gain many insights with different perspectives and skills. I personally believe that one person’s abilities are limited; collective wisdom is key and unity is strength. Be open minded to learn from others in order to deepen our insights and improve more.

Be Legitimate and Honest

"Contribute to society through the development of superior, original technology and products” is Hitachi’s mission, as well as the reason for our existence. Please do not conduct your business in an unethical way to expand sales and develop technology. Always do the right thing to stand tall and proud as a member of this society.

Incidentally, these three beliefs also reinforce two of our founding spirits – Harmony and Sincerity. I believe that when we empathize with our customers’ situations, build stronger networks with our business partners and face all our work tasks with integrity and sincerity, we will be able to co-create and innovate more and thus, contribute to a better ASEAN.

As you know, this is the final fiscal year of the 2018 Mid-term Management Plan. Let us actively provide our customers in the ASEAN region with high-tech digitalization from social infrastructure by taking advantage of Hitachi’s expertise as much as possible!

I look forward to greater work from all of you!

Kosuke Horiuchi
Managing Director
Hitachi Asia Ltd.