[Let’s Enjoy Being Apart] Even the presentation of employment certificates and the networking lunch were “through a screen.” Report on our “online entrance ceremony,” with everyone joining from home.
Today is April 1.
In a typical year, this is the day when “cheerful lies” spread across social media and you often see newly hired professionals around town with nervous expressions. This year, however, many of you may have greeted today with a different feeling than usual.
April 1 at SUNNY SIDE UP was also a little different from usual.
In a normal year, after our company-wide morning assembly where all group members gather, we hold an entrance ceremony to welcome our new graduates. One year, we welcomed them with balloonsand last year we held it at the exact same time the new era name “Reiwa” was announced,welcoming new members each year with a fresh twist.
This year, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we refrained from holding an in-person entrance ceremony and moved everything online. As a PR company engaged in the intangible field of communication, this entrance ceremony was born from our desire to “keep society positive by sending out movements from ourselves, no matter the circumstances.” Here is a report on how it went.
■Sixteen new graduate hires joined from their homes across Tokyo and four neighboring prefectures
On the day, the 16 new graduate hires joining this year used the online meeting system Zoom to participate in the “online entrance ceremony” from their respective homes.
The HR Director, who served as master of ceremonies, joined from a conference room at the office.
For the online entrance ceremony, our CEO Tsugihara and the board members also joined online. Employment certificates were presented in digital form as well.
Since SUNNY SIDE UP is located in the Dagayando area (Sendagaya + Kita-Sando) around the National Stadium, we also asked for the cooperation of the flower shop LORANS. (Lorans) in the same areato create original flower arrangements. With the hope that they would keep their spirits up through any difficulty and help energize society in 2020 and beyond, we had them delivered to arrive in time for the entrance ceremony.
We also sent the fountain pens we give new graduate hires every year. They carry our wish that, as PR professionals who work with “words,” they will take responsibility for—and pride in—their own words.
When the digital employment certificates appeared on screen, each member, called by name, shared a statement of determination. I would love to write down everything, but here are just a few excerpts.
“This morning, I received a LINE message from my mother. Along with her congratulations, she wrote, ‘So that you can shine a light beyond the darkness that can so easily close in, go create Let’s Have Fun!’ At that moment, I remembered the faces of everyone who told me, ‘Let’s work together,’ in my final interview. I want to cherish the joy of being able to work in the warm place that is SUNNY SIDE UP, and move forward as a working professional.” *As I listened through the screen, I had tears in my eyes…
“Even during training, there may be times when working from home continues, but I want to work together with my fellow new hires and seniors as soon as possible. No matter the situation, I see everything as a challenge. I will treat this as a ‘rare’ experience in my life and do what I can only do right now. With a kind heart, I want to create Let’s Have Fun!”
■ Distributing a ¥3,200 stipend! Supporting local restaurants through an “online networking lunch,” with each person ordering their own meal
After the entrance ceremony, we also held an “online networking lunch,” with everyone eating lunch at home through the screen.
First, the company provided a ¥3,200 stipend to each new graduate hire. Using the stipend, each person arranged lunch via delivery from a restaurant near their home. Through the occasion of the entrance ceremony, we created this initiative to support restaurants facing difficult circumstances due to requests to refrain from going out.
■ “Let’s stay apart today so we can embrace tomorrow”
To close the ceremony, Tsugihara offered words of encouragement to the new graduate hires.
“First of all, thank you for choosing SUNNY SIDE UP from among the millions of companies out there. No matter the circumstances, the PR work we do has the power to move people’s hearts, change people’s actions, and change the world through news and content. I believe PR can change the world.
Today we are all apart, but I hope all 16 of you will recognize one another’s values and express what you find ‘fun’ through your own values on the stage that is SUNNY SIDE UP.”
Finally, Tsugihara quoted words from Italy’s Prime Minister Conte, and the entrance ceremony came to a close.
“Let’s stay apart today so we can embrace tomorrow. Let’s pause today so we can run farther tomorrow.”
Let’s stay apart today so we can embrace tomorrow… What wonderful words.
In fact, starting today, “a certain part” of the SUNNY SIDE UP website is also apart—please take a look.
There is still so much more PR can do.http://www.ssu.co.jp/
Today, 16 people stood on a new starting line. Please look forward to the “Let’s Have Fun!” of the next era that each of them will create!
*For the introduction video of the 16 new members, please see here!
A moment from the job offer ceremony held six months ago
[Announcement] Today’s online entrance ceremony is scheduled to be featured on Fuji TV’s “Tokudane!” on Thursday, April 2 (8:00–9:55 AM, on air).https://www.fujitv.co.jp/tokudane/
*Please note that it may not be aired due to programming circumstances.
