Unveiling the Challenges Facing Young Professionals: Insights from Osaka's Inner Branding Seminar

Exploring the Reasons Behind Young Professionals Leaving Companies: Insights from the Inner Branding Seminar

On November 27, 2025, we witnessed a pivotal event hosted by Imajina Inc., led by President Yoshiki Sekino. The Inner Branding Seminar took place at Congress Square Grand Green Osaka, attracting many CEOs and HR leaders seeking solutions to the pressing issues highlighted during the recent Kansai HR EXPO.

The Background: A Call for Solutions

During the HR EXPO held from November 19 to 21, 2025, our booth drew an overwhelming 507 visitors, predominantly from companies grappling with the challenges of high turnover rates among young employees and the effective development of management. Surveys conducted revealed alarming contradictions within Kansai companies: a lack of effective on-the-job training (OJT) and the phenomenon of employees leaving despite high job satisfaction. These findings served as the impetus for the seminar, driving many business leaders to seek fundamental answers rather than temporary fixes.

Seminar Highlights: Shifting from Ideals to Evidence-Based Approaches

President Yoshiki Sekino presented a thought-provoking lecture based on behavioral economics principles. He challenged the reliance on traditional motivational strategies, highlighting that motivation is significantly influenced by environmental factors, also known as 'nudges.' He emphasized the need to design organizational architectures that foster intrinsic motivation among employees.

Furthermore, he addressed the critical role of inner branding as an essential retention strategy, asserting that compensating employees with salaries alone would never ensure their loyalty. Instead, he advocated for building a brand based on corporate values that resonates deeply with all employees. Many attendees actively took notes when Sekino shared his unique method of branding management, particularly emphasizing the necessity of branding managers as linchpins in the process.

Voices of the Participants: Reflections on Insights Gained

Participants reflected on the insights gained during the seminar through feedback surveys:

- Manufacturing CEO: “The statement 'OJT is dead' struck me, prompting my participation today. I feel like I've found a piece to the puzzle of why our young employees aren't developing. We will start with changing the mindset of our management.”
- Service Industry HR Director: “We realized we had been complacent with our engagement survey results. Starting today, we will work on inner branding to prevent 'quiet quitting'.”
- Trading Company Executive: “Viewing the issue from the lens of behavioral economics was enlightening. I leave with hope, knowing that simply changing our communication can transform our organizational culture.”

Looking Ahead: The Wave of Compassionate Management Emanating from Kansai

Through this seminar, many businesses recognized that inner branding must not be merely seen as a form of internal communication but rather as a central component of their management strategies. Imajina is committed to continuing to support the revitalization of the Kansai economy through data-driven and scientifically-backed branding initiatives.

Related Information

The foundational data for this seminar stems from the 'Kansai Corporate Human Capital Actuality Report 2025,' currently available for free download online. Even those who couldn't attend the seminar are encouraged to utilize this resource for identifying corporate challenges.

Company Overview: Imajina Inc.

- Company Name: Imajina Inc.
- CEO: Yoshiki Sekino
- Headquarters: Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
- Website: www.imagina.co.jp
- Business Areas: Corporate branding, HR consulting, and educational training programs.