Breaking Inward Thinking: The Launch of Border-Crossing Circuit Program

In September 2023, Enfactory, based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has officially kicked off the second and third terms of their innovative program named "Border-Crossing Circuit." This initiative is tailored for employees of large corporations to engage in cross-industry team activities aimed at addressing complex regional issues that lack definitive solutions.

The second term started on September 1st and features Rebe Co., Ltd., based in Higashiyoshino Village, Nara Prefecture. Rebe is involved in the "Creative Village Concept," which focuses on creating relationships among residents and visitors. Following this, the third term commenced on September 2nd, with Gensen & Co., a spin-off from a community development company in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, providing insights into practical corporate training challenges.

Participants from various corporate backgrounds will venture beyond conventional boundaries to tackle demographic decline and the revitalization of tourist spots. By working in cross-industry teams, they will gain the ability to reassess their own business practices and unlearn outdated success formulas, thus igniting a ripple effect of innovative challenges throughout their organizations.

The Unique Approach of Border-Crossing Circuit

This program responds to the high uncertainties of modern business, where creating new ventures and updating organizations to adapt to societal changes is crucial. The Border-Crossing Circuit adopts a mixed-team approach, where participants are grouped into teams of three to five. They will engage in real-world management challenges posed by startups over approximately three months, spending around 20 hours to develop hypotheses and proposals.

Each term begins with a kickoff meeting and utilizes a tool called "Transformation Asset Assessment" to visualize personal and team dynamics, which helps build openness and trust within teams. With over 270 companies and 660 participants having joined in previous terms, feedback has indicated a strong reduction in the tendency to cling to past practices—an achievement that is indicative of the powerful behavioral and attitudinal changes this program promotes.

Focus on Regional Challenges

The second-term challenge presented by Rebe revolves around leveraging the unique attributes of Higashiyoshino Village, a community of approximately 1,400 residents situated in a region where creativity flourishes. The aim is to develop sales, public relations, and branding strategies focused on training programs that capitalize on local resources. Rebe's representative, Ryota Kano, emphasizes that this environment can help corporate employees step back from efficiency and explore core questions anew.

The third-term challenge, led by Gensen & Co. under the guidance of Rika Sasaki, is two-fold: developing nationwide strategies for a quest-type team-building experience utilizing atami’s unique locale, and expanding its business use through employee travel programs. Gensen & Co. has been engaged in regional revitalization efforts in Atami for over a decade, and their approach seeks to tackle the city's pressing issues related to underutilization during weekdays.

A Diverse Offering

The Border-Crossing Circuit is structured to accommodate different employee development needs throughout the year, offering a variety of themes across 12 distinct terms. Some focus on new business ventures such as AI-powered IoT bedding solutions, while others address marketing strategies and workforce development. Participants have the flexibility to choose terms that align with their corporate challenges or personal professional growth aspirations.

In addition to online engagement, there are options for fieldwork and practical learning experiences, allowing participants to immerse themselves in real situations that reflect contemporary challenges. As they work through these multifaceted problems, participants are encouraged to conceptualize solutions that have the potential to positively influence both their companies and the broader community.

For more information and to join future terms, interested companies and individuals can refer to the official Border-Crossing Circuit page at Enfactory.

Enfactory's approach is not just about solving business problems; it's about fostering growth, innovation, and a cooperative spirit within and across organizations, making it a vital resource for companies in today’s ever-evolving market landscape.