5th yearParticipated in the launch of a new store. Achieved annual budget in first year as bridal sales manager
7th year: Participated in a project to support other companies' overseas businesses
Eighth year, transferred to the Accommodation Department and became Manager of the Accommodation Department at THE AOYAMA GRAND HOTEL
Also in charge of bridal business in the hotel
How did you first encounter Plan･Do･See?
For me, the first encounter was at the ORIENTAL HOTEL in Kobe.
Ever since I was little, I'd dreamed of becoming a hotelier. It all started with an experience I had while living in a residence in Thailand as a child. The local staff tried hard to speak to us in Japanese, and I remember my parents saying how relieved they felt. That moment made me think to myself, "Being a hotelier is a wonderful job."
During my second year at university, I started working part-time at the famous local ORIENTAL HOTEL, thinking it would be a good way to prepare for job hunting. At the time, I hadn't heard of Plan-Do-See, but once I started working there, I was so impressed by the attitude of the staff and the great environment that I began to think, "I want to continue working here." Even when I studied abroad in Australia for a year, I still felt like I wanted to return to Japan and work at the ORIENTAL HOTEL as soon as possible.
What was particularly impressive was seeing the staff embody Plan-Do-See's code of conduct, "I am one of the customers." When I asked a senior colleague if it was okay to hand out stickers to children on Halloween, he asked me, "Would that make kids happy?" When I answered, "I think it would!" he encouraged me, saying, "Then let's do it!" I was truly charmed by the way the staff think and act with all their might for the sake of the customers that is evident in their daily lives.
During my job search, I received job offers from two companies: a foreign hotel and Plan-Do-See. I ultimately chose Plan-Do-See because I was so moved when I received the news that I had been accepted that I cried. I loved ORIENTAL HOTEL that much, and I was so happy to be able to work there.
Furthermore, while most hotels focus on the accommodation department and treat weddings and banquets as secondary, at Plan-Do-See, all departments are serious about their work. I had always believed that to become a fully-fledged hotelier, one should gain experience in everything related to the hotel, not just the accommodation department, so this aspect also strongly attracted me.
It is also attractive that there is no separate role such as front desk and concierge in the accommodation department. For example, when a customer asks, "Do you know a good restaurant?", instead of dividing the responsibilities by saying, "That's the concierge," everyone can respond seamlessly. I feel that this flexibility is also unique to Plan Do See.
What was it like when you actually joined the company?
Actually, before I joined the company, I wanted to become a teacher at a hotel school. My part-time job at ORIENTAL HOTEL was so much fun that I wanted to share that fun with students.
I joined the company with this dream in mind, but my first assignment was not to the accommodation department I had hoped for, but to the bridal department. For the next seven years, I was constantly conflicted. I was dominated by thoughts like, "What I wanted to do was accommodation..." and "I don't know how to work hard..." and I was in a terrible state, unable to accept the words of my seniors around me.
In the midst of all this, I was transferred to one of the largest bridal stores in Nagoya, and found myself in a situation where I had no choice but to work hard. That's when I met Akane, a senior colleague who had been awarded the annual MVP twice. Even when I would complain, she would unwaveringly encourage me, saying, "What are you talking about? It'll be fine," and she always believed in my potential, beyond what I had ever imagined, and accompanied me along the way.
Later, when I was awarded the annual MVP at Bridal Lab in 2021, I was filled with a heartfelt gratitude. It was the moment when I was able to prove that the people who continued to encourage me when I was initially unmotivated, and Akane-san who continued to believe in me by my side, were not wrong.
That's when I realized that "job type isn't everything." When I thought I didn't want to do what I wanted, I only focused on myself. But when I changed my perspective and started thinking about "how can I make my customers and colleagues the happiest?", I realized that the important thing isn't the job type, but how you "are" (BE, not DO). From that moment on, I was able to work hard in earnest.
What do you think is good about joining Plan-Do-See?
The most important thing is to be able to worry about other people in a good way.
Rather than focusing only on yourself, you should think about the people around you, the company, and the customers. By doing so, you can come into contact with values other than your own, and naturally expand your own capacity. In the process, you can also grow as a person - that's the appeal of Plan-Do-See.
There are countless moments in my daily life that make me feel happy. When I'm able to "be myself" for customers in my favorite place. When I think seriously about my teammates. When I see my juniors growing. Every moment is irreplaceable, and looking back, I realize that even the times I struggled have led to enrichment.
What kind of company is Plan-Do-See in one word?
I’m such a big fan! (laughs)
I think it's different from other hotels, but pride doesn't get in the way.
The growth is just amazing!
No matter where the hotel or restaurant is, "The space here is the best!" and "The chef is the best!" I think that the hall's signature exists, but because PDS's stores and products will not stay in the present,
everyone is not satisfied with the status quo, and they do not take pride in the status quo in a good way.
That's why everyone is always thinking about what they want to do well.
In order to evolve, everyone engages in customer experiences, eagerly seeks out new learning, and embraces new cultures.
So the members know what's really good and always try to make the store great.
And I think I can love it.
What does Plan-Do-See mean to you?
Always running ahead of me.
Even if you want to overtake, you can't easily overtake it. I feel that this is a company that is always looking ahead.
For example, I'm always amazed by the new project emails I receive from the company, and even at THE AOYAMA GRAND HOTEL where I work, projects that go beyond my imagination are progressing, with me thinking, "Are we collaborating with this company?!" These are just some of the reasons why I feel that Plan-Do-See is always ahead of the curve.
