#Japan #Tokyo #Marui Group #Social Intrapreneur #NELIS

Launch of Japan's First Sustainability Skills Training Program

On May 21, 2023, Marui Group held the inaugural ceremony for the Social Intrapreneur School, marking a significant milestone as Japan’s first program dedicated to developing sustainability talent. The school was organized by the NPO NELIS and aims to cultivate social intrapreneurs, who are essentially entrepreneurs working within companies to drive social change.

The Vision Behind the Social Intrapreneur School

The primary vision of the Social Intrapreneur School is to create a society where the working style of social intrapreneurs becomes the standard by 2030. Companies today face the dual challenge of enhancing employee engagement while also strategically addressing social issues. Traditional training and engagement methods have not sufficiently met these demands. This initiative focuses on promoting job crafting, a method that empowers employees to redefine their roles based on personal values and motivations, and transform their responsiveness to sustainability into a tangible enhancement of corporate value.

The school not only aspires to produce a new generation of intrapreneurs capable of fostering a fresh workplace atmosphere but also aims to solve pressing challenges both in Japan and globally through innovative business practices.

Job crafting enables employees to take initiative in redefining their work, ultimately enhancing job satisfaction and working towards a more inclusive society.

Why Marui Group Partners with the School

Marui Group’s mission centers on creating an inclusive society where everyone can experience happiness. The company defines corporate value as the overlap of benefits and satisfaction among its stakeholders. In 2019, it set forth Vision 2050, aiming to align profit with social issue resolution through its business endeavors. Historically, the group has focused on collaborative investments with external entrepreneurs but is now expanding its efforts to include social intrapreneurs within its ranks.

This integrative approach not only supports innovation from within but aligns well with the values of future generations, contributing to the development of a sustainable society and economy. By collaborating with the Social Intrapreneur School, Marui Group aims to support the activation of the broader intrapreneur community, facilitating the resolution of social challenges through business.

Initiatives to Support Social Intrapreneurs

Marui Group has undertaken several initiatives to support social intrapreneurs, including:

• - The release of its first translated book, “Social Intrapreneur: How to Change the Future While Still Employed” on September 30, 2022.
• - Hosting a forum focused on social intrapreneurs in 2022.
• - Supporting activities aimed at social issue resolution by organizing the 2nd Social Intrapreneur Forum in 2023.
• - Planning to hold the 3rd Social Intrapreneur Forum in 2024, further solidifying its commitment to fostering internal change.

The Establishment of the Social Intrapreneur Development Foundation

Recently, Marui Group announced the establishment of the Social Intrapreneur Development Foundation, dedicated to nurturing talent through educational and awareness-raising activities targeted at students and young professionals. This foundation aims to contribute to solving societal challenges and promoting inclusivity. It also plans to facilitate pathways for participants to engage with Marui Group in future projects, enhancing corporate value through impactful contributions.

For sustainable operation, the foundation will rely on the company’s dividends, ensuring a continuous source of funding for its initiatives. Marui Group strives for high growth and substantial returns, thus enabling a stable increase in these funding resources, ultimately sharing long-term value with shareholders and investors.

Reception of the Inaugural Ceremony

The opening ceremony was a vibrant event featuring presentations about the school's vision and curriculum, alongside heartfelt testimonials from participants from diverse backgrounds. Workshops encouraged participants to reflect on their personal values and perceived social issues, sparking excitement and hope for what lies ahead.

The Marui Group's commitment to nurturing social intrapreneurs emphasizes that individual capabilities within organizations could become a significant source of societal transformation. As they continue this journey, Marui Group aims to play a pivotal role in enhancing the potential of social intrapreneurs in Japan.

Looking Forward

With the launch of the Social Intrapreneur School, Marui Group is poised to not only redefine careers within organizations but also actively contribute to societal change. The journey of fostering a new generation of social intrapreneurs has begun, with the promise of a more sustainable and inclusive future ahead.