Advancing the renewal of existing systems
in anticipation of business
growth alongside
the project members at client’s side.
Project Story
The client’s wish was
“to handle the project by themselves
as much as possible”
| Client | Metal Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Name | Tsujiko Hiroki (Hereafter Mr.Tsujiko) |
| Position | Freelancer |
| Request details | Replacement of core systems in anticipation of company growth |
| Provided human resources | 3 people |
| Location | Osaka |
| Results | Against the backdrop of the expanding business environment, we supported the flow from concept formulation to business requirements definition and vendor selection alongside with the client who had an urgent need to renew their existing core systems. We carefully verified the work, organized the necessary systemization requirements, and handed over the project to the system construction vendor in about 8 months. |
Profile
Freelancer
Tsujiko Hiroki
Joined a securities company after graduating from university, then transferred to the consulting industry. Has become a freelance consultant after working in several projects, mainly business reform/improvement projects, and now providing consulting service at client’s side, as a member of client’s business team.
Carefully verifying if there is anything wrong
or unnecessary procedures in the workflow
After graduating from university, Mr. Tsujiko changed jobs to the consulting industry after working at a securities company and went around several companies to hone his skills. How do you evaluate your own strengths in working as a freelancer now?
Mr. Tsujiko: “At the first company, management was my main work, and the main task I had was to work closely with management and managers to improve their capabilities and productivity. I oversaw everything from manufacturing to research and development and sales, regardless of the type of business. The second company was a company with a strong element of client business support. With that background, I personally recognize that my specialty is business improvement. When consulting, I am conscious of whether there is anything wrong with the flow of work and why those procedures are necessary.
In many cases, about 30% of the workflow can be carried more efficiently, and we can improve business by carefully verifying whether this task is really necessary to do this and whether there is a better way to do it. As a consultant, it is important to return more value than you receive.”
Proposing the most suitable system for clients
by carefully surveying the business flow.
Being good at management tasks such as business improvement, how did you recognize the client’s issues in the system replacement and how did you approach them?
Mr. Tsujiko: “I have little experience in system construction, but I think the basic idea is the same as in business improvement. In this project, I was mainly responsible for organizing the steps from concept formulation to systematization requirements and organizing the information necessary when requesting a quotation from a system company. It was difficult to carefully survey the different workflows for each product and to pattern and organize the methods on site without omission. We went around each site with the members of the client side and worked with them from surveying to the compilation of data/documents.
In addition, we selected vendors and analyzed and negotiated the content of proposals with the selected vendors and adjusted the ROI (cost-effectiveness) by implementing the system. I handled all the activities until I handed them over to the system development vendor, but this period of trial and error with the client members not only led to the launch/development of project members, but it was also a valuable time which allowed me to feel the growth and joy of the clients.”
It’s rewarding to be able to grow through learning
and to feel the customer’s reaction of joy
You have changed your career to freelance four years ago and are currently in charge of projects provided only by Sevenzen. Which part of the support provided by Sevenzen do you find more attractive?
Mr. Tsujiko: “The reason why I continue to be a consultant despite the many difficulties is that I can grow through learning and experiencing and feel that my clients are happy. When I was considering about going freelance, I met President Yokoyama of Sevenzen and decided to become independent. Currently, I am working only with Sevenzen, and it’s not only the fact that I’ve been getting more support than I expected that really helps me, but the fact that not only Mr. Yokoyama but many other people have created an environment where it’s easy to ask for that support.”
Interview: Spring 2022
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