#Japan #Higashimatsuyama #Talent Design #Employee Branding #Ishida Technos

Overview of Talent Design Forum 2025

On September 24, 2025, the Talent Design Forum was held, focusing on creating workplaces that attract and retain talent in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event gathered various stakeholders, including business leaders and HR professionals, to discuss the pressing issue of talent shortages in Japan's local SMEs. Recent surveys by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry revealed that over 70% of SMEs struggle with a lack of core personnel, highlighting the critical need for effective recruitment strategies and workplace branding to secure the workforce of the future.

Background

The forum aimed to share hands-on insights for SMEs facing these challenges. With 76.8% of companies with fewer than 100 employees reporting difficulties in hiring and training younger employees, this event was tailored to provide actionable solutions. The discussions emphasized a shift towards recognizing employees as "assets" within a framework of human capital management, as well as the need to communicate company vision and culture effectively to enhance recruitment branding.

Event Highlights

The program's lineup included keynote speeches and interactive sessions:

1. Opening Remarks (14:00 - 14:05)
The event commenced with explanations of its purpose, followed by the introduction of the featured speaker, Mr. Tomohiko Shimura.

2. Keynote Speech by Tomohiko Shimura (14:05 - 14:50)
Mr. Shimura, a seasoned consultant and MBA holder, delved into how SMEs can convey their unique attributes to appeal to prospective job seekers. He presented concrete examples of both soft (culture, support systems) and hard (physical workplace environment) strategies that can enhance SME branding efforts, effectively assisting them in becoming companies of choice for candidates.

3. Presentation by Ishida Technos (15:00 - 15:30)
The next segment featured Ishida Technos Co., a respected construction firm founded in 1910, which showcased its unique employee training program, the "Ishida Techno College." This institution focuses on developing future leaders through a combination of structured training and on-the-job experience, reinforcing the ‘workplace satisfaction’ framework.

4. Interactive Session (15:30 - 15:55)
Participants engaged in a collaborative workshop, analyzing their companies' attractions and future-oriented challenges based on insights shared earlier by Mr. Shimura.

Profile of Tomohiko Shimura

Mr. Tomohiko Shimura is the CEO of Shim Consulting Inc., a firm dedicated to human resources consulting in SMEs. As a certified small and medium enterprise consultant, he boasts vast experience in educational training and consultancy, having aided over 30,000 individuals throughout his career. His approach melds practical experience with academic insights, currently pursuing higher research in design engineering at Hosei University. His vision focuses on creating organizations capable of continuous learning and adaptation through targeted training strategies.

About Ishida Technos Co.

Hailing from Higashimatsuyama in Saitama Prefecture, Ishida Technos Co. has built a reputation over 115 years, championing the motto "Connecting Technology, Supporting Communities." The company is committed to workforce development, demonstrating a successful model of training that positions young employees as leaders quickly, supported by a robust safety net including extensive paid leave and parental benefits. Their success rate speaks volumes, with remarkable employee retention and continual accolades from external organizations.

Event Logistics

The forum was held at the Higashimatsuyama Civic Cultural Center, alongside an online streaming option, ensuring broader engagement. It sought not only to address local challenges faced by communities but also to foster discussions that could ignite further innovations in talent acquisition and retention strategies.

Conclusion

Talent Design Forum 2025 served as a platform for SMEs to reassess their branding and employee engagement strategies in light of current workforce challenges. As companies like Ishida Technos demonstrate, investing in employee satisfaction and development is necessary for survival and prosperity in today’s competitive landscape. The insights from this event could empower companies to evolve into desirable workplaces that attract top-tier talent.