My interest in SNM began with my desire to sell machines overseas.
The spring I graduated from college, I obtained a working holiday visa and worked in Australia. I'd searched while in school but hadn't found a position that really fit me, and graduating without a job made me uneasy. While in Australia, however, I discovered the appeal of international business, and I had always been interested in cars and motorcycles. Deciding that I wanted to do international machine sales, I returned to Japan.
When I saw the SNM recruiting ad, I knew nothing about turbines and pumps, but the fact that SNM has customers throughout the world was exciting. “Since I love machines, if I do my best, I know I can make it in this company,” I thought, and I decided to apply.
Working closely with our design associates, I feel a deep sense of involvement with the final product.
I take care of several large customers in Russia and Canada, and it’s been immensely satisfying to develop as a businessperson in the four years I’ve been here. My mission is to sell steam turbines to customers overseas, but my job doesn’t end with the sale. After the initial contact, I consult with the customer in person to establish the specifications. Then I put together a proposal with a multi-billion yen bottom line and make a presentation to the client, explaining why SNM is the best choice.
Throughout the sales process, I work closely with our design associates to fulfill the customer's needs as completely as possible. For this reason, I have a deep sense of involvement with the final product, and my love of machines contributes to the meaning my job has for me.
After three trips to Russia, I earned the customer's trust and received the order.
One of my milestone sales was for a steam turbine for a Russian steel plant. This power generation turbine cost billions of yen and was capable of generating 70 MW, enough power for 100,000 households. I took special care with this transaction, as anything less than perfect turbine performance would have a large negative financial impact on the customer.
An interpreter helped me communicate with my limited English, and the customer and I slowly but surely worked through the transaction, taking nine months to go from initial inquiry to signed contract. I visited Russia three times, gradually earning the customer's trust. I have many happy memories of visiting local tourist attractions with the customer and sharing meals together.
Doing business with people of different cultures has broadened my horizons.
I was surprised at how much doing business with people from different cultures broadened my horizons over time. Since age ten, I've dreamed of living overseas, and now my work at SNM is helping my understanding of the world to expand and grow.
If a country's geography and religion are different, then the culture and customs will be different as well. The way power generation turbines are used is the same everywhere, yet the approach to the sales transaction varies greatly by country, and at first this was quite surprising to me. In addition, the laws of the country and the type of industry also have a major effect on the sales transaction. In the future, it's possible I'll become responsible for South America and Africa, and it's exciting to think about the new things I'll encounter on these continents. Variety is what makes international sales so interesting.
Variety is what makes international sales so interesting.
I'm always self-assessing my performance and consulting with my superior and mentors.
In international sales, information is crucial, but it’s important for me not to drown in the daily flood of it. Instead, I use my judgment to focus on what’s important. From time to time, I need to self-assess my performance and respond as a professional to circumstances as a whole.
When I notice a problem, it's best to consult my superior right away. Trying to handle things on my own can end up making the solution more difficult to achieve. When I don't know what to do, my mentors are a great resource. Just as when I first joined the company, the relationships I have with my superior and mentors are essential to my success.
Playing sports with my colleagues is just one part of the warm SNM corporate culture.
Offering a balance between work and private life, SNM encourages associates to use their paid time off fully. I love my overseas work, but I also love sports. I started surfing in high school and still go nearly every week to Kujukuri Beach or Southern Boso. My mentors have also gotten me into golf. SNM has a warm, friendly corporate culture, and there are many opportunities to get together with associates in departments I don't work with on a regular basis. Strong relationships really help work go more smoothly.
SNM is a small but stable company that goes head to head with big competitors around the world. Since any unused electricity our turbines help generate in factories can be used by the local utility to power homes, we are contributing to infrastructure that enriches lives all around the world. In addition, demand for our products is not likely to wane anytime soon.
Our smaller company offers the relationships and flexibility that a larger company usually cannot. Why not experience this warm, friendly corporate culture for yourself?
