Strengthening Employee Development Through the Cross-Border Circuit Training Program

Enhancing Employee Development through the Cross-Border Circuit Program

In a significant step towards promoting employee skills and collaboration, En Factory Co., Ltd. has officially launched the Cross-Border Circuit training program, designed for LIXIL LHT's technical research department. This innovative program aims to empower employees by enabling them to work with cross-industry teams to tackle real challenges faced by startups.

The Cross-Border Circuit consists of an immersive online training course that spans three months, focusing on problem identification, hypothesis creation, and proposal development. Teams comprising members from various companies collaborate intensively to provide real solutions to issues presented by different ventures. By participating, employees can enhance their understanding of their capabilities and gain new insights through cross-dialogue.

Background for Implementation

LIXIL LHT's decision to trial the Cross-Border Circuit as a training program for 2023 aligns with its goal to cultivate an environment where employees can connect with external challenges. This initiative focuses on nurturing growth opportunities for employees anticipated to lead the company’s future. By inviting external involvement, the program seeks to promote higher engagement and proactive challenge-seeking behavior among its participants, allowing for a thriving career development ecosystem.

Program Overview

Launched in July 2022, the Cross-Border Circuit responds to needs for greater organizational impact from cross-border learning experiences. Participants undergo assessments, workshop sessions, and personal reflection, which collectively help them articulate their strengths, enhancing their self-awareness as well. Feedback collected through surveys among participants has shown promising results, indicating a marked improvement in career development actions and positive influence on peers following the program.

The program allows participants to engage with startup challenges over three-month terms aimed at improving their teams through shared responsibilities. After the kickoff, participants utilize a unique assessment tool called the Transformation Asset Assessment, focusing on their 'mental accelerators' and 'brakes'. These insights help shape team dynamics and foster a culture of shared leadership within non-hierarchical teams.

Characteristics of the Cross-Border Circuit

1. Dual Cross-Border Experience: Participants gain skills by teaming with employees from other companies while simultaneously addressing real-world issues faced by startups.
2. Utilization of Transformation Asset Assessment: This assessment encourages dialogues and reflection, allowing teams to approach challenges with clear purpose and direction.
3. Exposure to Real Management Challenges: Participants interact directly with the pressing issues faced by management, expanding their perspectives and enabling a deeper understanding of industry dynamics.

2025 Program Challenges

Looking ahead, the 2025 program will feature ten different startup enterprises, including those focused on plant factory commercialization, forest utilization, independent financial planning, upcycling discarded fishing gear, and remote parenting robots. This diversity reflects a commitment to tackling a wide range of contemporary challenges.

Schedule for 2025

Each term will encompass various activities, including kickoff meetings, assessments, team collaborations, progress updates, and final presentations. Conducted alongside regular professional duties, this program significantly tests participants' self-management abilities and may even allow for on-site visits in some terms.

Examples of Participating Companies

Past participants include renowned firms such as Aisin Corporation, Oriental Corporation, Kao Professional Service, and NEC Networks, showcasing the rich cross-industry collaboration encouraged by this program.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Cross-Border Circuit presents more than just training; it offers a vital opportunity for employees at En Factory and LIXIL LHT to better understand their individual strengths and weaknesses by engaging in entrepreneurship's dynamic environment. The program creates real connections and actionable insights that can transform how businesses address challenges in the modern landscape, fostering proactive leadership and innovative solutions.

For further details, you can visit the official Cross-Border Circuit website.