Toward a Culture of Challenging Oneself
CROSS BORDER
Toward a Culture of Challenging Oneself
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation (MCO)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor International Corporation（MCO-I）
Mihara area volunteers
Cultivating Positive mindset and teamwork through work climate reform activities: BAMBI
Improving work efficiency. Breaking down the walls between departments. Achieving work-life balance. Other companies have done these things – so why can’t we? In this issue, we would like to introduce BAMBI, a volunteer program at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation (MCO) through which we are working to change our company’s whole atmosphere, by providing opportunities to take on new challenges through seminars, events, and other activities.
What is BAMBI?
BAMBI is an idea thought up by members seconded to other companies, who experienced different work-styles and technologies. It is an ongoing initiative to create a culture of taking on new challenges at MCO. We hold lectures, discussions, workshops, and other events, mainly during lunch breaks, in the aim of helping individuals to create change and become autonomous workers.
The beginning of BAMBI
BAMBI was created by Masaki Shakuda, Yoshiaki Shoji, and Taishi Yoshihara, who all joined MCO as engineers in 2012. Like anyone, these three had worries about the future of the company and their life plans. Mr. Shoji had been so impressed by another company’s technology and work-style while on secondment, and began anxiously wondering whether MCO can survive the competition. Mr. Shakuda had become concerned about the cold interactions between people in different departments, and wanted his time at work to be more fun. Mr. Yoshihara had begun to wonder if there was anything that could be done to keep any more of his friends from leaving the company. By the time they were in their 30s, these three knew their work, and began gathering in the park at the company housing after putting their kids to bed. They would gather not to complain but to discuss what they could do to create a better and more ideal company. Mr. Yoshihara then took the lead in beginning the activities.
“I wish our company’s structure was more logical.” “I wish we could be more helpful to customers.” “I wish I could enjoy our personal time more.” “I wish it was easier to communicate within the company.” “I wish our company would abandon its outdated systems.” The three founders planned these activities with a hope to create a better work environment, which meant erasing people’s dissatisfaction and anxiety, and turning “I wish” into “I will.” They kicked off the program with a gathering for young workers in September 2020. In April 2022, they gave a presentation to President Hoshi and received official approval to continue BAMBI activities.
Why “BAMBI”?
They named their activity BAMBI, deriving from Walt Disney animation movie. In Japan, we calll fawn “Kojika”, and “Kojika” comes from the beginning syllables of the Japanese words used to express the ideals to be achieved through these activities: “Kokorozashi wo takaku (ambition),” “Jihatsuteki ni torikumi (initiative),” and “Kansha no kimochi wo wasurenai (gratitude).” This name was chosen in hopes that growth will be achieved as individuals as well as an organization.
The goal of BAMBI
The vision of these activities is to “Become a door through an invisible wall.” A variety of difficulties and obstacles will sometimes stand in our way, however, the purpose of BAMBI is not to break down these walls but to create a door to go through them. “Great difficulties can come from trying to break down a wall. It is very possible it cannot be done; however, with a little effort, maybe we can create a door to go through it.” The message of these activities is to reduce psychological burden and to create a work climate in which it is easy for everyone to take on new challenges.
Activity examples
I want to turn MCO into a company where all employees can challenge themselves.
Panel discussion: “Learning to Survive the Future”
We held a panel discussion to promote learning and a program to support those who want to get an MBA. The panel featured employees with MBAs and those currently attending classes. They shared information on the significance of learning while working, how to sustain motivation, and more.
From the Founder
I feel effects of our activities as social circles expand
Space Engineering Section, Engineering & Design Division, MCO
Masaki Shakuda
BAMBI has produced good results since the very beginning. I am happy to see more communication between event participants, a growing network of human relationships, and more people initiating actions to open up the walls. As for me, I have connected with coworkers in my own and other departments, and they have shared their worries and hardships with me. Having a connection to people at work makes daily interactions smoother and easier, and building cross-departmental relations allows for efficient work. I am confident the total value of MCO is rising thanks to our activities.
From the Founder
In aim of an environment in which individuals can feel at ease
MCO-I Manufacturing Operations
Taishi Yoshihara
I started BAMBI with two ideas: first, I wanted to create a place for those who worry or are lost to feel at ease and shine; and second, I wanted to make a better work environment by getting more people really engaged on their own judgment, rather than passively working. I am currently stationed at MCO-I in Houston, Texas, but I participate in online events remotely. I am discovering many differences in the work-styles and ways of thinking here, so I actively share those experiences. If we can socialize between departments and share value by talking to, understanding, and connecting with people regardless of their age and role, I believe we can improve the company atmosphere. I also think that expanding communication and connections through socializing will lead to the creation of tangible, substantial value. It is my hope that these activities will improve the image of MCO and MHI Group and that they will spread to our overseas locations.
From the Founder
Expectations for further growth and bigger leaps!
Business Development Department, Growth Strategy Office
Yoshiaki Shoji
In addition to doing design work for MCO, I have secondment experience and have continued to be involved with MCO since being transferred to the Growth Strategy Office at MHI in Tokyo this year. BAMBI began because of the various walls that exist, but the ideal world is one in which we do not have to worry about those walls, and my hope is that more people will start to think like this. We need people with flexibility and initiative to join BAMBI for activities to continue since they are unpaid volunteer activities. I feel maintaining and improving these activities is more difficult than starting them, but we have support from the President and our seniors, juniors sympathetic to these activities have joined, and members in their 20s are also running events. Information about these activities is spreading to students who are job hunting.
Word of this challenge has spread outside of Hiroshima. They often contact members of BEACH, a similar project in the Mihara area. Currently they are planning a collaboration, a Global Team building workshop for September with those who have experience at Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation. This will provide an opportunity for people to share their experience of growth working in a global environment. These activities are continuing to expand across companies and regions. They want to create a place where people can unite and build connections together they can actualize the things they were unable to accomplish alone. And, together, They want to create a company where every person can feel happiness, a company that will create real value for the future. Through actions that started from wishes, we will build a door where invisible walls once stood. It has only begun, but these wishes are expanding and continue to grow.