#Japan #Okayama #StepBase #Persol Business #Tamashima Credit Union

Enhancing SME Support in Okayama with New Partnership

Persol Business Process Design, a subsidiary of the Persol Group, has launched a new partnership with Tamashima Credit Union, aimed specifically at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Okayama Prefecture. This collaboration is grounded in the vision of "Working and Smiling," focusing on addressing the critical workforce challenges and operational inefficiencies faced by local businesses.

The Problem Facing Okayama's SMEs

Okayama Prefecture is witnessing a significant population decline, with projections indicating a drop from around 1.96 million in 2005 to approximately 1.51 million by 2050, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research. This demographic shift has led to a persistent shortage of skilled labor and has hindered the efficiency of business operations within the region. Particularly in back-office functions such as administrative services, accounting, and human resources, many businesses are struggling to secure specialized personnel. This has resulted in a reliance on specific individuals, complicating resource management and operations.

To tackle these issues, it is essential to enhance visibility and standardization in the workflows of SMEs, thereby creating an environment where tasks can be performed by anyone.

Partnership Initiatives

Through this partnership, Persol Business Process Design and Tamashima Credit Union aim to implement several initiatives:

1. BPO Solutions for SMEs: The partnership will involve gathering insights from Tamashima Credit Union's client companies about their workforce-related challenges. Based on this feedback, targeted BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) solutions will be proposed to alleviate these issues.

2. Joint Package Development: A collaborative package will be developed utilizing the "StepBase" service. One example includes a hybrid BPO solution for payroll management, where representatives from Tamashima Credit Union will visit companies to collect timecards, convert them to PDF, and input the data into the payroll calculation tools aided by "StepBase".

3. Awareness-Campaigns for Local SMEs: To promote the use of outsourcing and BPO services, several seminars focusing on alleviating workforce shortages will be organized for local businesses.

Looking Ahead

By fostering this partnership, Persol Business Process Design seeks to significantly enhance the operational efficiency and productivity of SMEs in Okayama Prefecture. The collaborative efforts with Tamashima Credit Union are envisioned as a model case, potentially expanding to involve credit unions nationwide, thus tackling the challenges faced by SMEs across various regions. Such initiatives aim to drive nationwide business standardization, alleviate dependency on specific personnel, and contribute to the revitalization of local economies.

About the Online BPO Service "StepBase"

The "StepBase" service is designed by Persol Business Process Design to assist companies in their back-office operations. It employs experienced staff to perform over 7,000 workflows efficiently online, eliminating the need for preparatory documentation that often poses barriers to business outsourcing. The service supports a wide variety of tasks, including recruiting, finance, labor management, administrative work, and more, allowing companies to outsource only what they need when they need it. This not only reduces hiring costs but also enables employees to focus on essential tasks.

About Persol Business Process Design

Persol Business Process Design utilizes a fusion of process design capabilities, management expertise, and technological advancements, including AI, to offer tailored BPO services that address client challenges. With a mission to innovate workplaces and facilitate a better working environment, the Persol Group aims to contribute to building a more sustainable society and achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). The group’s vision, "Working and Smiling," embodies its commitment to enhancing human and organizational dynamics through diverse business ventures.