#Japan #Osaka #Coaching #Yanmar #Wakeup

Yanmar Power Technology's Initiative for Organizational Culture Reform

In a significant move towards improving its organizational culture, Yanmar Power Technology has partnered with Wakeup, a coaching firm based in Tokyo, to implement a series of coaching workshops for its management team. This initiative aims to foster an environment where employees are empowered to reach their full potential, thus enhancing engagement and overall performance within the company.

Background and Implementation of the Coaching Initiative

Faced with challenges in recruitment and stagnation in employee engagement scores, Yanmar Power Technology recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to cultural reform. Utilizing engagement surveys in collaboration with academic institutions, they identified barriers to employee growth and began analyzing various sources of motivation to clarify challenges and potential solutions. However, the company realized that merely addressing individual issues would not lead to substantial change in organizational culture.

To tackle the root causes of these challenges, they decided to adopt Wakeup's coaching approach—anchored in a philosophy that emphasizes 'Being' rather than just 'Doing'. Starting in the latter half of 2023, they initiated a one-day dialogue-based workshop aimed at transforming managerial practices among 117 managers, with plans for five sessions scheduled from July to September in 2025.

2023 Initiatives: Drawing Out Employee Voices

The first workshop involved 75 participants, including young employees and senior managers. The goals were to elicit honest feedback that surveys could overlook and to provide a broader understanding of the intricate dynamics within the organization. Participants were encouraged to realize that everyone is responsible for shaping the organizational culture, leading to a declaration that they would start effecting change from their own positions.

2024 Initiatives: Making Yanmar's DNA Personal

In 2024, the workshops targeted 45 individuals, from junior staff to veterans, to reinforce the sense of ownership over Yanmar's foundational principles—pioneering spirit and a mindset of 'Change & Challenge' that has developed over its 100-year history. Based on insights gained from the previous year’s workshop, this initiative aimed to promote personal connection to these principles, laying the groundwork for deeper cultural transformation.

2025 Initiatives: Preparing for Corporate Spin-Offs

The upcoming workshops in the latter half of 2025 set the stage for a corporate spin-off, focusing on 117 department heads responsible for guiding the organization through significant changes. These sessions will help managers adopt the 'Change & Challenge' mindset while empowering them to inspire others toward fostering cultural transformation.

Moving forward, Yanmar Power Technology is committed to embedding its core values deeply among its employees, ensuring that the principles of 'Change & Challenge' become an intrinsic part of the organizational culture.

About the 'Being-Driven' Coaching Workshops

Wakeup’s western-style coaching emphasizes human qualities and profound transformation ('Being') rather than merely task achievement ('Doing'). Through these workshops, participants will explore personal interpretations of 'Change & Challenge' and how they wish to transform their roles in alignment with these ideals. The aim is to foster an emotional conviction that translates into concrete actions.

The workshops are designed using a customized approach based on the 'System Coaching®' methodology, which focuses on the quality of relationships within the organization. By promoting learning through dialogue, participants are guided to achieve organizational goals autonomously.

Insights from Yanmar Power Technology’s Leadership

Yoshiyuki Kitagawa, the head of the HR department at Yanmar Power Technology, expressed his excitement about the coaching initiative, emphasizing its focus on fundamental transformation in employee mindset. He noted the emergence of a new consciousness towards cultural reform and the vital importance of sustaining these efforts as the company prepares for upcoming changes.

Understanding Wakeup's Approach

Founded in 2008, Wakeup is recognized for its coaching services tailored for organizations, aligning with the Co-Active coaching philosophy developed by the prestigious CTI. Unlike the conventional eastern methods focused solely on solving problems, Wakeup's coaching balances 'Being' and 'Doing', helping individuals and organizations undergo profound transformations necessary for achieving long-term success.

In conclusion, Yanmar Power Technology's structured coaching initiatives represent a progressive step towards cultivating a responsive, engaged, and adaptive workforce prepared to meet future challenges innovatively and collaboratively. Such strategic investments in internal culture are crucial in today’s dynamic corporate landscape, fostering environments where both individuals and organizations can thrive.