#Nearshore IT Association #Online Networking #Member Collaboration

Enhancing Connections: Nearshore IT Association's Online Networking Events

The Nearshore IT Association, led by chairman Shinichi Arakawa, has initiated a series of online networking events aimed at fostering connections among its members and addressing industry challenges. Kicking off on May 15, the association hosted its first event targeting the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions, followed by similar sessions on July 18 for the Southern Kyushu area and October 8 for the Chubu region. This initiative seeks to strengthen ties between member companies while facilitating the sharing of needs and challenges within the community.

Purpose of the Member Networking Committee

The Member Networking Committee is focused on achieving several key objectives:

• - Fostering horizontal connections among member companies.
• - Establishing stronger ties between the association and its member firms.
• - Raising awareness of the association's activities and showcasing its achievements.

The committee comprises directors and representatives from the member companies, who play a crucial role in organizing these regional online events, ensuring they cater to the specific needs of participants.

Hokkaido and Tohoku Networking Event (May 15)

The inaugural event attracted five of the eleven member companies from the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions. Participants presented their businesses, allowing for the exchange of unique strengths and fostering mutual understanding within the region. Notably, two new project opportunities were introduced by participating board member companies, which heightened interest in nearshore projects. The committee shared valuable insights such as activity reports and project participation examples, providing attendees with a clearer picture of the potential collaborative opportunities. Additionally, discussions around the usage of no-code and low-code tools for employee training arose, pointing towards future collaborative potential.

Southern Kyushu Networking Event (July 18)

With a membership of 29 companies, the Southern Kyushu area showed strong participation, with nine member companies and two prospective members joining the discussion. This event was particularly noteworthy for strengthening the local network, similar to earlier sessions. Attendees shared information about the latest association activities, and the newly introduced “Personnel and Project Information Sharing System” was well received, creating enthusiasm for improved information sharing among participants. The session also highlighted material project outcomes from the Southern Kyushu area, allowing members to visualize potential engagement opportunities.

Participants echoed a strong desire to enhance local connections, indicating a high level of consciousness for inter-regional cooperation and mutual support among members. Common challenges such as pricing, resource availability, and technical mismatches were also identified, making the event a meaningful exchange.

Chubu Networking Event (October 18)

Marking the third online session, the Chubu Networking Event focused on regional collaboration and association utilization. Members from Nagano, Yamanashi, and Toyama participated in a rich dialogue around the association's current initiatives and activities, accompanied by company introductions and feedback exchanges.

Valuable insights included requests for enhancements to the project information-sharing system, focusing on team-based resource registration and features to visualize each company's strengths. These requests provide a foundation for future improvements in the association's offerings. Furthermore, a board member from the Education and Training Committee championed an upcoming online seminar focusing on generative AI and security, prompting participants to express the need for more practical learning opportunities in AI applications. Participants also advocated for increasing collaboration opportunities with local businesses taking the lead on projects, advancing a positive shift towards enhanced joint ventures across regions.

Voices from the Member Networking Committee

Feedback from participants has highlighted both challenges and successes within the industry, with community members voicing concerns regarding reduced remote project opportunities, rising skill gaps, and difficulty in forming productive teams. However, many members have expressed appreciation for the benefits gained from the association's training and seminars. The cooperative network aims to alleviate various