『夢』は大きく　『念い』は熱く

　先日、会葬に行った際に「人は心」だと改めて感じました。結婚披露宴は、主催者側が招待をして行われますが、葬儀に招待状はありません。「人」が「人」を想い、偲び、『感謝の気持ち』で自ら会葬に出掛けていくものです。
　この度の葬儀は千人以上の会葬があり、故人と、その家族方々の人間性を垣間見た気がします。人は亡くなった時にその人の「生きた証」が見えます。喪主様とは、今は亡きお父様の代からお付き合いがあります。とても、人望があり、勇気がある、素晴しいお父様で、事あるごとに何かと私にお声をかけてくださいました。また、お父様の三千人規模の葬儀も、弊社で挙げていただきました。この度は、喪主様のお母様の葬儀でしたが、ご主人が亡くなりしばらく経つにも関わらず、本当にたくさんの方々が会葬に訪れ、「人の心」に触れた貴重な時間でした。『人はみんな義理固い、情があるんだ』と嬉しくなりました。『人情』『人は心』ですね。　

　ジットの総務部社員に、勉強の為に会葬案内をしてもらいました。彼女は、葬儀の中で一人浮いていました。会葬に訪れた方々へのお礼のお辞儀も、彼女だけが浅かったのです。セレモニースタッフは、喪主様と一緒に故人と会葬者の心を繋ぎます。ですから自然とご親族と同じ気持ちになります。そうなれば、葬儀中の振る舞いも感謝の気持ちが溢れます。セレモニースタッフとして葬儀に立ち会った事で、彼女はひとつ勉強しました。　冠婚葬祭、どんな時でも『感謝の心』をもつことです。『感謝の心』がなければ想いは伝わりません。　人は心　感謝の心は一番大切です。　

「人は心」です。ジットグループは心で商品、サービスを創造する会社です。全ての事に心ある行動をお願いします。見えない心が見える行動に表れます。

People are the Core 

The other day I attended a funeral ceremony and felt once again that “people are the core.” In the case of a wedding reception, the host will send out invitations for the event; a funeral, however, has no invitation. Rather, the attendees think of the deceased and, with a feeling of gratitude [toward the deceased], voluntarily attend.

This particular funeral witnessed the presence of over one thousand guests and those in attendance could see the humanity that had been present in the deceased as well as was present in his family. It is when a person dies that you can see the proof of his existence. The chief mourners at this funeral came from the deceased father’s generation and told me what a popular, brave, and wonderful man the deceased had been.

We have already mentioned the funeral at which over 3,000 guests were in attendance. Despite the fact that the deceased’s husband had been dead for quite a while, many of his aquaintances also attended her funeral.  It was a truly moving, precious time and I was happy to see the strong sense of duty in those present.  This truly is [an example of] humanity and [the idea of] “people [as] the core.”

[Recently,] one of our general affairs employees studied funeral guidance.  During the course of the funeral, she became separated [from the other Ceremony staff] and her bow to the guests was rather shallow.  Ceremony staff connect the hearts of everyone present – whether the chief mourners, the family, or the deceased – and therefore must naturally feel a sense of kinship with them.  If they can do this, a sense of gratitude will overflow.  This employee studied one aspect of [what it means to be] a Ceremony employee at a funeral.  No matter what the occasion, it is important to have a grateful heart.  If you don’t, your feelings and thoughts will not be communicated.  The most important thing is [to remember that] people are the core and to have a grateful heart.

People are the core.  At JIT we create our products and services from the heart.  Please put your heart and soul into everything you do for it is through visible action that the invisible heart is shown.

 
※写真中央、南アルプス市市長の今沢市長、そのお隣のピンク色の服を着ている女性が、今年の桃源郷マラソンゲストランナーの福士加代子さんです。
　
　週末南アルプス桃源郷マラソン大会へ参加し、私を含め社員全員が５ｋｍを完走しました。中には走りきれるか心配だった人、できないと思っていた人も正直いました。でも本当にみんな一生懸命に走りきり、完走できました。その姿に本当に感動をしました。走る前は、「できない。」「走りきれるか心配。」と弱音を吐く社員も多くいました。でも、実際その場に立ち、やるしかなくなる状況になれば皆できるのです。走る前に考えても仕方ありません。行動しかないのです。みんなそれをみんな実際に経験して気づいてくれたと思います。マラソンは自分との戦いです。歩くのも、走り続けるのも、すべて自分次第です。この気持ちを忘れず、日々の生活に生かしてください。『わかった』と『行動する』では全く違います。やれば、行動すれば必ず何事も達成できます。セレモニーの社員の皆さん、仕事が重なり参加できず本当に残念でした。私たちが参加中も仕事をしていただいています。感謝、感謝です。


※可愛い新入社員の女の子5人とみんなで、完走することができた達成感あふれるゴール直後の一枚です。

　東京支社、大阪営業所、福岡営業所、名古屋営業所を含め、営業全員が本社に集まりました。この不況の中、弊社も非常に厳しい状況にあります。会社を支えているのは営業です。営業が一番です。営業がものを売って、社員を、家族を、世の中の人々を幸せにできます。営業が商品を売らなければ何も始りません。そのことを営業さん全員に伝えました。営業が営業に全力投球ができるように、本社の残っているメンバーが全力でフォローをします。営業がいうことは絶対に実行します。だからその期待を背に行動してください。考えるのではなく、行動をしてください。失敗してもかまいません。私が責任をとります。悩む暇はありません。行動あるのみです。営業が外で汗を流して頑張ってくれています。全員が一歩前進。

You Can Do it if You Try　

* 1st picture: in the center is the mayor of Minami Alps, next to whom stands Hakushi Kayoko (in pink), the guest runner in this year’s marathon.

This weekend, all JIT full-time employees participated in the Minami Alps Marathon’s 5K. In our group were people who were worried they could not run or even complete the 5K at all. Despite these fears, however, everyone gave their all and completed the race. I was very moved. Before we ran, many whined that they could not do the race and that they were worried they couldn’t run. But with no choice but to do it, they did manage to complete the 5K. There is no meaning in thinking before the race. All that matters is action, a fact that I think everyone realized during the course of the 5K. A marathon is a fight against oneself. The choice of whether to walk or keep running is entirely up to you. Please remember this as you go through your days. The replies “I understand” and “I will act” are completely different. If you try, if you act, you will surely accomplish something. It is truly a shame that JIT Ceremony employees had to work and therefore were unable to participate [but] I am grateful that even those of us who participated in the 5K were able to work. I am very grateful.

*2nd picture: Five of our cute new female employees gathered with us for this picture, taken immediately after finishing the race when we were all brimming over with a sense of accomplishment.

The other day, our entire sales department – from the Tokyo branch to the Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagoya brances – all gathered at our headquarters [here in Yamanashi]. In this time of recession, our company has become exceedingly strict and rigid. It is our sales team that supports the company. They are number one at JIT. When they sell our products, they make JIT employees and their families, as well as people around the world, happy. If they are unable to sell our products, nothing new can begin. This is what I told our sales department. In order for our sales department to be able to work as hard as they can, the rest of us here at headquarters will back with all our might. What the sales staff says will unconditionally be put into practice. Therefore, do not think but instead just act. It does not matter if you fail: I will take responsibility for it. There is no time for worrying. It is all for action. While our sales staff is out putting their sweat and blood into making sales for us, let all of us go forward together.

　私たちは、作った商品を使ってもらって初めて社会に貢献することができます。いくら良いものを作っても、いくら人が良くても、使ってもらわなければ何の意味もありません。何のために、商品を作っているのですか？ジットの使命はなんですか？

　昨日また倒産してしまった企業があることをニュースで拝見しました。数年前までは本当に利益も出て、好調な会社でも、一瞬先は闇なのです。今は会社を存続することさえも大変な時代です。ジットだから大丈夫ということは決してありません。もっともっと一人一人が危機感を持って、必至にやらなければ会社は存続できません。それをしっかり認識してください。もっと危機感を感じてください。余裕などないはずです。目標を達成できないということは社会に貢献ができないし、自分、家族も幸せになれません。逆に目標を達成するということは、多くの人に幸せを感じて頂けると同時に、自分も家族も幸せになれるのです。日々危機感を持って、行動してください。

Sense of Crisis

We [here at JIT] can contribute to society through the products that we make that people use. No matter how good are products or employees are, there is no meaning to them if no one buys our products. What are we producing these cartridges for? What is our mission here at JIT?

According to yesterday’s news, yet another business has declared bankruptcy. Despite years of profits, this promising company will soon fade away. We are in a time when simply surviving is difficult for companies. We cannot say that just because we are JIT we will be fine. We must each carry a greater sense of crisis for if we don’t, we will inevitably collapse. Please understand this and feel a greater sense of the crisis [we are facing]. We should not expect a surplus. An inability to achieve our goals is an inability to contribute to society or to bring happiness to either ourselves or our families. Conversely, the achievement of our goals will bring happiness to many people, including ourselves and our families. [Therefore,] please feel this sense of crisis everyday and act [accordingly].

　先日、社屋の裏側で掃除が行き届いていない点を発見しました。すぐに社員を呼び、確認をしました。こういう見えない部分こそしっかり掃除をしなくてはなりません。私が全員を呼んでみてもらったのは、まず実際に見てもらって現状を把握してもらうためです。そしてそれを自分自身の問題としてとらえ、行動してほしいからです。毎朝全員で掃除をしているのに、誰ひとり気付かなかった。すべてのことにおいて関係ないということはありません。仕事も、場所も、部署も関係ないということはないのです。全て自分の問題。こんなに人がいるのに誰ひとり気付かないということでは困ります。意識を高め、見えないところこそ気を配って、行動してください。一番は私自身がもっと早く気がつかなければなりません。『反省』し外回り確認します。　

　入園式、入学式と同時に、進級の季節です。１年生は２年生になり、２年生は３年生になる。中学、高校へと進級された生徒さんもいます。学校ではそうやって年を重ねるごとに少しずつレベルアップし、できないことができるようになっていきます。足し算しかできなかったのが、掛け算ができるようになったり、割り算ができるようになったり、確実に成長をしています。会社も同じことです。入社をして１年経って先輩になったのだから、去年と同じ仕事をしていたのでは困ります。できることを増やし、効率を上げていかなければなりません。勉強は一生です。終わりはありません。一歩一歩でも、今より上を目指して勉強し続けてください。




There are No Insignificant Matters

Recently, I noticed that the back of our office building was not being cleaned very thoroughly and immediately called all the employees together. It is in these rarely seen areas in particular that thorough cleaning must be done.

There were several reasons why I called the employees together: 1) so that they might see for themselves and understand the problem areas; and 2) so that each might take the problem on himself and act on it. Despite the fact that we all clean every morning, not one person noticed [how dirty this area had become]. Remember: there is not one thing that is insignificant, not in your work, in where you are, or in what you are doing. Although our employees understand that all problems are they own issues, no one noticed these problems. This is troubling. Therefore, please raise your level of consciousness, in particular as regards the small things, and act [on what you see]. You must first [train yourself to] notice things earlier.

It is now the season of entrance ceremonies, both into kindergarten and school in general. First years are becoming second years and second years are becoming third years. Likewise, elementary school students are transitioning to middle school while middle schoolers are moving up to high school. In this way, school children are proceeding step by step to the next level, learning to do things they were previously unable to do. Whereas before all you could do was addition, you are now able to multiply and divide. You are improving soundly. The same is true in a company. If you are still doing the same work you did when you entered the company a year ago despite now being a senior employee, there is a problem. You must increase both your workload and your efficiency. Study is a lifetime-long, unending quest. Look ahead, even if only a little at a time, and continue your studies as you move forward.

　悪いと思ったらすぐにやめる。良いと思ったらすぐに行動をする。それが素直ということです。悪いと気づいているのに、黙認してやり続けていたら困ります。せっかく気づいたのにそのままにしていたら悪くなる一方です。どうしてできないのかを考えるのではなく、どうやったらできるのかを考えて行動をしてください。会社のせいでも、周りのせいでもありません。時間も２４時間みんな一緒です。全て自分次第です。マイナス思考ではプラスは生まれません。いつも前向きに、素直な気持ちを忘れずに、『悪いと思ったらすぐに止める、良いと思ったら行動する』ようにお願いします。

　

　新入社員が１週間の研修に出かけています。先日、１人も遅刻することなく、朝５時に元気いっぱい出て行きました。１週間で、きっと多くのことに気づいて帰ってきてくれると思います。
　部下は上司で決まるし、上司を見て変わります。上司、リーダーはどれだけ部下に仕事を任せられるかです。自分でやってしまうことは簡単です。でもそれでは部下は伸びません。失敗をしてもやらせなければわかりません。失敗して悔しい思いをすることも大事ですし、できて達成感を感じることも大切なことです。日々の積み重ねが半年後、１年後、３年後を決めます。上司はそれを考えてしっかりコミュニケーションをとってください。

Unprejudiced Obedience = Action

If you see something you think is bad, immediately put an end to it. Conversely, if you think something is good, act on it right away. This is “unprejudiced obedience.” Those who notice that something is wrong but out of laziness do nothing about it are problematic. Even if you take the effort to notice what is around you, if you do nothing about it then the problem will only get worse. [Therefore,] instead of thinking, “Why didn’t this work?” instead think about what you can do to make something work. It the fault of neither the company nor of those around you. Everyone’s day is limited to 24 hours. All things are up to the individual. Positives cannot be born out of negative thinking. [Therefore,] I ask that you not forget to always look forward and, with an obedient heart, remember to immediately what what you think is bad and act on what you think is good.

The new employees are currently away on a week-long training course. Despite a 5am departure time, all of the employees were on time and full of energy. I am certain that they will realize many things throughout this week and will come back changed people.

Employees decide their actions by watching those above them. I have a question for the managers: how much work are you entrusting to your inferiors? It’s easy to do things yourself but in doing so you limit the growth of those beneath you. Even if the employee fails, if he is not made to try something he will never understand how to do it. Failure and its accompanying feelings of frustration and embarassment are important, as is feeling a sense of growth or improvement. The work that accumulates each day decides what happens after 6 months, a year, 3 years. Managers, remember this and make sure to communicate with those in your departments.

　何度も何度も言いますが、生きているのだから問題がないということは絶対にありません。問題がないのは考えていないから。常に目配り、気配り、心配りをしていれば、ちょっとしたことにも気づけるようになります。大きな問題の裏には、２９個のかすり傷、その背後には３００件のひやっとした問題が隠れているものです。普段から考える癖をつけてください。人が増えたからおろそかになったり、できないということでは困ります。一人一人がルールを徹底すれば問題はありません。一人一人がもう一度自分に厳しく、ルールはルールとして徹底してください。１＋１は２ではなく３にも５にもなります。それが人間　輪であり和、環です。

　先日、弊社へいらっしゃったお客様が、社員に『いつもブログを見てるよ。今度１度ぜひ見学に来たいと思ってるけどいいかな？』と言ってくださったそうです。本当に嬉しいことです。そうやって少しでも気にしてくださって、見学に行ってみたいと思ってくださっているということは本当に幸せなことです。こうやって気にかけてくださる方がいるというのは、普段からの社員が接客や対応、営業、ブログをこつこつでも地道に心を込めてやっいる成果だと思います。感謝の気持ちを忘れず、これからも心を込めてすべてのことにおいて取り組んで参ります。皆様もぜひ１度南アルプスの工場まで起こしください。心よりお待ちしております。



Gratitude

I have said this countless times before but let me say it again: if you are alive, you will face problems for a life without problems is a life without thought. If you life life always watchful, attentive, and thoughtful of what is around you, you will come to notice even the tiniest things. Behind one major problem are 29 smaller problems on the tails of which are 300 problems. [Therefore,] please make it a habit to think [about what is around you]. We have increased in the number of our employees and therefore neglect or incompetence are problematic. If each employee is thorough in his work, there will be no problems. [Therefore,] I ask each employee to be strict with himself and to thoroughly adhere to JIT rules. One plus one does not equal two: it will become three or even five. This is the band among people.

The other day one of our customers paid us a visit here at the offices in Yamanashi. This customer is a daily reader of our company blog and had asked us if it would be all right to come observe our office. I was so happy to hear this and find great joy in the fact that this customer cared about us that much. Moreover, I believe this is the direct result of the straightforward, heartfelt actions of our employees, whether it is the manner in which they receive customers or their sales manners. We will go forward in gratitude, putting our heart and soul into everything we do.

From the bottom of our hearts, we hope that you all will visit JIT’s Yamanashi office. We are waiting to meet you!

　社員が２日間の研修に参加しました。本日その報告を朝礼でしてくれました。測定に関する研修だったのですが、その施設の壁に『物を作る前に人を創れ』と書いてあり、ジットと同じだと思ったそうです。また講習の中でも、同じ研修を受けた先輩も、『物づくりは人創り』だと口を揃えていたと言っていたそうです。

　これはすべてのことに共通して言えることです。人が物を作るし、人が決断をして、行動をします。全ての始まりは人であり、終わりも人です。物を作る前に、まずは自分の『心』をつくってください。商品にも心が表れます。心が乱れ、問題があれば、商品にも、わずかでも問題が起こります。弊社は『仕事の完成』よりも、『人の完成』を目指す企業です。リサイクルインクの製造販売の前に、人を創造しています。

　そのことに気づいてくれたことが何よりも大きい成果だと思います。彼女は入社して丁度１年になります。かわいい後輩も入って、２年生になりました。少しずつでも確実に成長している姿がとてもうれしいです。まずは自分の心を作ること。今回学んだことを、同じ事業部にもしっかり伝え、行動に移してください。

Creating the Heart and Spirit

At morning assembly today, one of our employees -having recently participated in a two-day training course – reported briefly on what she had learned. Although the course was about measurements, on the wall of the building was the phrase, “Before you make something, make the person,” and seeing this slogan, she immediately thought of JIT and our similar teachings. Similarly, during the course of the training, one of the senior members said, “The manufacturing of goods is the production of people.”

This is common to all things. Products are made, decisions are made, and actions are taken by people. The beginning and end of everything is people. [Therefore,] before you make anything, first create your own mind or heart for there is a heart and spirit even in a product. If there is a problem and you lose your composure, a problem will appear in the product as well. [This is why] our company aims for the perfection of our staff over the perfection of products. Before we create the recycled ink products, we create the people who will make them.

I believe that the employee’s realization of these facts is the greatest result [of her attending the study course]. Having entered JIT one year ago, she has become a cute senior [to this year's new employees]. I am always very happy to see steady growth in people. The first step is to create your own spirit. Communicate to your department what you learned at this training course and put these teachings into practice.

　『ピンチはチャンス』だし、『長所は短所』。全て紙一重です。その人の考え方、とらえ方一つで、１８０度変わります。注意を受けるということは期待されている証拠です。期待をしていない人には何も言いません。『逆境』は『成長』。今、週休３日、４日という会社が出てきています。こうして働けること、仕事があること、期待されて叱ってもらえるということが、どれだけ幸せなことか。感謝の気持ちを忘れないでください。問題点、悩みを乗り越えれば多くの人も幸せにできます。そのことを忘れず、逆境を成長に繋げてください。

　毎週火曜日はＮＯ残業デイになっています。残業をしない理由は３つあります。まず１つ目に、早く家に帰って家族とコニュニケーションをとれるように、また体を休められるようにするためです。２つ目に、経費削減のためです。残業をすれば様々な経費がかかります。３つ目に、めりはりをつけて仕事をするためです。早く帰れるときは少しでも早く帰る。いつもいつも同じでは困ります。同じ仕事をするのにも、今日より明日、明日より明後日と１分でも、１秒でも仕事の効率を上げるように工夫していかなければ進歩はありません。どうやったら効率よく仕事ができるのか、考えて業務を進める力をつけてほしいのです。メリハリをつけて、やることで向上心が湧いてきます。残業をしないようにするのはなぜなのか、もう１度考え、少しでも早く帰れるように協力しながら頑張っていきましょう。


Adversity is Growth

“A crisis is an opportunity.” “One’s strength is [also] his weakness.” Everything in life rests on a fine line. A person’s way of thinking and way of treating others may be completely opposite. Advice is evidence of expectations for nothing will be said to someone of whom there are no expectations. Adversity is growth.

Lately, many companies have dropped down to only 3-4 days of work per week. Within such an enviroment, how long will be able to work, will there be work or scolding? How long can this happiness continue? Please do not foret to be grateful [for what you have right now]. When you are faced with a problem, overcome your worries and in doing so make those around you happy. Remember this, and turn adversity into growth.

“No Overtime Day” is now held every Tuesday. We have three reasons for not doing overtime:
1) that families may go home early and have time to talk with their families and rest their bodies.

2) reduction of costs associated with overtime

3) variation in work

When we say, “everyone go home early,” even just a little earlier than normal is good. It is not good to always do the same thing in the same way. Even if you are doing the same thing, find a way to be faster tomorrow than you were today, even if by only a minute or even a second. If you don’t, you will not progress. In whatever you do, ask yourself how you can increase your productivity. Think about why we discourage overtime and try to go home early every day.

　先月は目標を達成いたしました。その過程で一人の失敗もみんなでカバーし合えば必ず、目標は達成できることを体験しました。一人がみんなのために、みんなが一人のために。必死に行動すれば必ずその思いは周りに伝わります。本日からまた新たな新入社員が１４人が入社いたしました。チームジットでみんなで力を合わせて、目標必達で前進し続けて行きましょう。

　
　悔しい思いをすることは大切なことです。悔しさがない人は一人もいません。私も小さい頃に悔しい思いをしました。その時の悔しさがあったから今があります。周りを見返してやりたいという強い信念があったから今の私がいるのです。悔しい思いをしたら、そこで終わるのではなく、その悔しさをばねに、飛躍してください。悔しさは、神様から与えられたチャンスです。自分に負けそうになったときは、必ずその悔しさを思いだして、何くそという気持ちで、闘ってください。必ず自分の成長の糧になります。逃げずに立ち向かってください。

　そしていつか、『悔しさが感謝の気持ち』に変わります。


Chagrin
Last month we achieved our goals for the month. During the month, everyone came together to fix the mistake of one person, thereby allowing us to achieve our goals. One for all and all for one. If you try with all your might, your thoughts and ideas will be communicated to those around you.

Fourteen new employees entered the company today. Let us continue to work together as one, combining our power in order to achieve our goals.

Frustration is an important feeling and there is not one person in the entire world who is not [at one point or another] frustrated. I was also frustrated and embarrassed by my childhood. [However,] because of the mortification and frustration I experienced then, I am who I am today. When you feel frustrated, just remember that frustration is not the end; rather, face your frustration and push past it. Frustrations are opportunities from God. When you feel you are going to lose, remember these times of frustration and fight back. Such moments will help fuel your growth. Do not back down or run away but instead fight. In doing so, chagrin will [slowly] turn into gratefullness.

　

　先日朝礼での、冊子の持ち方を注意しました。今日はほとんどの人が直っていました。素直だからすぐに直せる。一方まだ直せない人が１名いました。頭を柔軟にして行動していかなければ駄目です。頭が硬く、なんでも頭で考えようとする人はなかなか行動に移せません。素直が１番です。不満があればそれも言う。言わなければわかりません。日々勉強です。日々戦いです。自分に負けずに、一歩一歩でも確実に成長していきましょう。勉強しなければどんどん周りとも差が出てきます。素直な気持ちを忘れず、みんなで成長し続けていきましょう。

　経理の女性社員の誕生日でした。歳を重ねる程、経験やプライドが邪魔をして、すぐに行動に移せないことが多くなります。いつまでも素直な気持ちを忘れずに、自分自身を磨き続けてください。




A Frank, Unprejudiced, Obidient Heart is the Best

At morning assembly the other day, I chastised my employees for how they held our company slogan book. Today, however, the majority of employees had corrected how they held the book. It is because they are obedient that they were able to correct their behavior. However, there was one person who still has not corrected his behavior. People who are not flexible are worthless [to our company]. People who are rigid in their thoughts and who spend all their time simply thinking will not change their behavior. A frank, obedient, unprejudiced heart truly is best. If you are dissatisfied with something, say something for if you don’t, no one will understand. Every day an exercise in study. Every day is a battle. Do not lose to your own weaknesses but, little by little, grow and advance. If you do not study, the differences between you and those around you will begin to appear. Do not forget to have an open and obedient mind and heart as we work together.

The other day we celebrated the birthday of one of our accountants. As we get older, the pride we have in ourselves based on what we have experienced can become a hindrance that prohibits us from changing how we do things. But I ask that you do not lose an open, unprejudiced mind and that you always seek to improve yourself.