Hello, my name is Sugimoto and I am a writer living in Kyoto.
This time, we are bringing you an article about a roundtable discussion between members of Monosus who work on web development.
Last year, Monosus launched the "Monosus Food Research Center," and several articles about food have been published on the Monosus website. In response to this, the group decided to hold this roundtable discussion, saying, "Let's create an article introducing the members involved in web production, which is the company's core business."
The roundtable discussion was attended by three people: Yurika Machiyama (Web Director) from Monosus Thailand, Taiga Kakunami (Front-end Engineer) from Kamiyama Town, Tokushima, and Yuya Yamamoto (Front-end Engineer) from Suo-Oshima, Yamaguchi. The discussion was moderated by online facilitator Masayuki Aoki, and was held in a friendly atmosphere.
Participants
Masayuki Aoki- Meeting facilitator. Facilitates more than 100 meetings a year, both offline and online. At Monosus, he is involved in creating spaces where members can talk comfortably, from small team meetings to roundtable discussions about the company's future. He lives in Awajishima and his hobby is fishing.
Taiga Tsunan- I'm a front-end engineer in the Maruyama Unit. Recently, I've been in charge of the area between the front-end and back-end. I recently bought a standing desk!
Yurika Machiyama- I am a director at Monosus Thailand. I moved to Thailand when I joined the company in 2016. I am currently sharing a room with a Thai interior designer and two cats in a lovely house.
Yuya Yamamoto- I'm a front-end engineer working in the headquarters unit on Suo-Oshima Island. I've been with the company for six months, so I'm still undergoing training. Recently, I harvested the sweet potatoes I planted in the spring.
This is the place that raised me.
Aoki: I'd like to ask you a few questions today. The first question is, "This is the place that raised me." Please tell me the story of how you went through that place and ended up here now.
Machiyama: I think I am who I am today because of my homeroom teacher in the fifth and sixth grades. He was the one who told me that "textbooks aren't always correct" and that "the facts are always changing, so you have to keep learning." For example, in home economics classes, instead of cooking, we would test the liquid remaining in the packaging of commercially available ham with test drugs. He would then show me the facts, saying, "It reacted like this, so it's not good for you," or "It's just colored to make it look red." I think it was through this process that I learned the basics of how to learn and think.
Yamamoto : I joined a real estate sales company when I was 20 years old. I had always lived life by chance, so the reason I chose that company was because I wanted to work at Shinjuku Center Building. However, the senior who accompanied me during my OJT really cared about me and educated me. Because it was a sales company, he thoroughly corrected me from my etiquette to the things that I had been allowed to do because of my personality. That senior kept scolding me, but he said things in a way that made me feel like "I'm really saying this for your sake." It was a place that taught me how to behave and treat people, and how to be a person.
From Suo-Oshima
So you worked for a company where you were scolded for your love of Aoki . What was it like at the Suo-Oshima office?
Yamamoto : I've never been scolded by anyone, but I do sometimes sense anger in the words of our vice president.
Tsunanami : That's the scariest one (laughs).
Yamamoto: Maybe it's because I've grown up that I've become able to sense these things...
Sunami: I have two. One is a udon restaurant where I worked part-time when I was in high school. I think I learned from that place how to plan my work and come up with my own ideas for customer service. The other is Monosus. Three years after I joined the company, full flextime was introduced, and I was able to work without stress. I think that freedom comes with responsibility, and I think the company gave me the opportunity to think about work.
What the three members are "paying attention to now"
Aoki : Now for my second question. You all grew up in different places, but what are you focusing on now as technical professionals?
Sunami: I'm focusing on Monosus' front-end engineers. Last year, we went fully remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I felt that there were fewer opportunities to share and talk about technology, so I decided to hold coder meetings starting in May of this year. There are limits to what you can think, study, and come up with on your own. I thought that if each of us could share what we were studying, we could all level up together.
Yamamoto : I'm interested in the members in the regional and Thai offices. Before I joined the company, I read an article on the Monosasu website about why Machiyama went to Thailand, but I'd like to know the reasons why other people decided to live in regional areas or Thailand.
Aoki : By the way, why did you come to Kamiyama?
Because I'm originally from Tokushima . I lived in Tokyo for about four years until the beginning of last year, and when I was thinking about moving to the countryside with my family, I saw an apartment building in Kamiyama-cho that I applied for, was accepted, and moved there. Tokyo is an attractive city for work, but in terms of ease of living, I think my current location is better.
From Kamiyama
Machiyama: When I look at politics today, I feel a lot of anger and think, "Why have we ended up leaving it to people like this?" I hope that one day we can use technology to prevent politicians from cheating or lying, and return society to the way it should be.
Aoki : I believe technology exists for the good of society, so I think it would be wonderful if it could be used not only for clients but also for politics and society.
When you feel uncomfortable or have doubts about your work
Aoki : Now, my third question. I think that discomfort and doubts are hints for seeing the direction of the future. When do you feel discomfort or have doubts in your work?
Machiyama Monosus is divided into various departments. When working with other departments, there are times when the way things are done differs, so I think it would be nice to have a template for a shared work flow. First of all, Monotai members have begun to organize the basic parts of managing BtoB projects. Eventually, I would like to create a template that everyone can brush up on.
Sunami: When delivering work ordered from clients, there are times when I find myself in a dilemma between meeting the quality and meeting the immediate deadline. For example, I would like to create a flow that balances the deadline with higher quality through code review by multiple people. Or, I would like to create my own service.
Yamamoto : I've only just joined the company, so I don't really feel uncomfortable or have any questions. I personally feel more motivated late at night or early in the morning, so I'd like to try working to my heart's content during those times.
What kind of work do you want to do from now on?
Aoki : Finally, my last question: What kind of work do you want to do in the future?
Machiyama: I would be happy to be involved in a website about social issues, like the one we talked about earlier.
From Thailand
Sunami: I'd like to create something that links websites with devices available in the world. For example, you could connect a TV remote control via Bluetooth to operate websites and change slides. I'd like to be able to do interesting things by connecting devices to web browsers.
Yamamoto : I simply love sweets, so I want to make a website about sweets. Another thing I want to do is make a website that has movement and that people can enjoy looking at and touching. I don't have the technical ability to make such a website yet, so I'd like to think about it while I study.
Aoki: We've talked about a lot of different things today. What did you think?
Yamamoto : It was interesting to find out what everyone was thinking.
We don't often have the opportunity to talk together on the Machiyama theme, so it was interesting to hear so many different stories.
Sunami: It was a refreshing experience for me because I don't often talk about my roots. If it continues in future episodes, I'm looking forward to hearing what stories everyone will tell.
Even if you work together, there aren't many opportunities to take the time to ask about the person. Now that communication through drinking parties and other events has decreased, I thought it would be great if the Monosasu site could become a place where we could have "conversations that are a little different from usual."
"I read your article," they say to the three of them, or they talk to the person next to them about "where is the place that raised me." I hope that this roundtable discussion will lead to such expansion.
SUGIMOTO Kyoko
Freelance writer. Since autumn 2016, she has been serializing ``Kamiyama no Musumetachi'' in Hinagata, in which she interviews women who have moved to Kamiyama.