Persol Innovation Employees Appointed as Visiting Researchers at Waseda University

Promoting Collaboration through Research

Persol Innovation Inc., a subsidiary of the Persol Group based in Tokyo, has recently announced the appointment of two of its employees as visiting researchers at Waseda University's Business Finance Research Center. This initiative aims to deepen collaboration in joint research, which aligns with the group's vision, "Work and Smile."

The Appointees: Expertise and Experience

Hideyoshi Kakiuchi

Hideyoshi Kakiuchi, the representative of Reskilling Camp Company, has an extensive background in IT and manufacturing. Initially serving as a career advisor and corporate sales representative, he has since advanced to the position of executive officer in charge of corporate sales for the IT sector in the Tokyo metropolitan area. His achievements include establishing the Open Innovation Promotion Department at Persol Holdings and leading various cross-group DX projects. With a keen focus on new business development at Persol Innovation, Kakiuchi is currently responsible for the planning and launch of learning-related business initiatives. His upcoming book, titled Reskilling Creates the Strongest Teams, will be published in March 2024 by Discover Twenty-One.

Sayaka Shimizu

Sayaka Shimizu has a robust background in public relations, having worked in management roles across several publicly listed companies. Her expertise lies in promoting a variety of new services, contributing significantly to the strategic planning and branding efforts of the Persol Group since joining. At Persol Innovation, Shimizu has played a crucial role in establishing the information development and PR departments. Additionally, she utilizes her unique perspective to produce columns for various media outlets, analyzing and strategizing from an interdisciplinary viewpoint.

Comments from Leadership

Seiya Oura, the CEO of Persol Innovation, expressed pride in the appointments, highlighting the company's commitment to solving the challenges of working life through innovative business creation. Oura emphasized the importance of providing sufficient learning opportunities for working individuals and the company’s dedicated efforts in the learning sector. The recognition from Professor Nagai of Waseda University's Business School for the achievements and contributions of Kakiuchi and Shimizu is seen as a significant honor.

Professor Nagai commented on the importance of reskilling in today's rapidly changing business environment. He noted that acquiring and replacing skills through reskilling is essential from an innovation management perspective. Over the past several years, the Innovation Strategy Research Group at Waseda University's Business Finance Research Center has been engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Japanese companies and fostering innovation. The addition of Kakiuchi and Shimizu is expected to advance research into organizational capability enhancement through reskilling, promoting fruitful discussions ahead.

About Persol Innovation Inc.

Founded in April 2019, Persol Innovation Inc. aims to become a pillar of new business creation within the Persol Group. The company provides various services, including:
1. Pitatens: A recruitment service targeting young and inexperienced workers in essential work fields.
2. HITO-Link: Hiring management and marketing tools.
3. TECH PLAY: Supporting DX organizational development services for businesses.
4. Reskilling Camp: Reskilling support services.
5. Comic Learning: Training services utilizing comic materials.
6. Lotsful: A side job matching service.

Through these various initiatives, Persol Innovation strives to accelerate the group's innovation through new business development and digital transformation.