Your individuality becomes this company’s one-of-a-kind strength! What the President says about WISE INTEGRATION Co., Ltd. | SSU Group Newsletter #2 (Part 2)
Following on from the previous issue, we are pleased to bring you the second half of our interview with Miyazawa, President of WISE INTEGRATION Co., Ltd.
This time, we asked Miyazawa about his impressions of the WISE INTEGRATION team members as well as the company’s future outlook, so we would be delighted if you read through to the end.
[Member Profile]
WISE INTEGRATION Co., Ltd. President CEO: Takeomi Miyazawa
■Memorable moments
Something memorable… yes—there was a time I cried tears of joy (laughs). It was when our app-based teaching material “Sobigo (*1),” developed as part of our education business to make programming a fun experience, was introduced in elementary schools nationwide and surpassed 100,000 licenses. When we made it happen that “Sobigo” was installed on the tablets children bring to school, I was so happy I cried. We had all been aiming for that together. Partnering with universities, giving programming lectures for school teachers myself, and seeing children’s reactions firsthand. It made me feel again how enjoyable it is to build a business, to research, and to take on challenges with colleagues.
(*1) Sobigo
A programming learning tool developed under the slogan “Create the future with a playful spirit!” It stimulates children’s free imagination and enables them to learn the essence of programming while having fun.
▼Articles previously featured on SUNNY DAYS
WISE INTEGRATION’s Education IT initiative “Sobigo” launches! — A programming experience that creates the future with a playful spirit —
Programming learning implemented in elementary schools! — WISE INTEGRATION “Sobigo” project —
■Team members’ personalities and company culture
The WISE INTEGRATION team members are all positive and full of individuality. When I watch everyone at WISE, I feel that when you entrust something to a person, the work evolves into something that makes the most of who they are. That is why I believe that “individuality” and “what makes WISE, WISE” will become this company’s unique value—something other companies do not have.
(When I mentioned that the WISE team seems to be doing all sorts of things—fashion shoots, experiments, and more) That’s true (laughs). Everyone has their own ideas, so when they come to ask something, they first share their own thinking and then ask their question. They think for themselves and create work through their “own individuality”—that is the strength of the WISE team today. Clients also tell us they want to work with team members like that, and we are often introduced as “WISE INTEGRATION comes up with lots of unique ideas and plans,” which makes me very happy.
■Future outlook
We would like to enhance the value of WISE’s three core business pillars (Promotion / Product Development / Human Resources) as marketing solutions through synergies with the companies within SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP. Over the past few years, initiatives to solve communication challenges through PR × Promotion × Influencer Marketing have delivered strong results, and we also feel that the connections and trust across the Group are growing even stronger. We want to further demonstrate our ability to seamlessly deliver not only “changes in consumer awareness,” but also “encouraging experiences and sharing.”
In addition, the challenge we began in 2022 is our brand commerce business (D2C/platform model).
We wanted to create a culture where people enjoy fashion not only by buying clothes, but also by incorporating secondhand (reuse) items. So we created a brand with an influencer who used to be a charismatic sales associate at a secondhand clothing store in Harajuku. In the apparel industry, mass production and mass disposal are major issues. That is why we want to create a world where clothes that have been left unworn or thrown away can “circulate.” However, we understand that some people may feel a hurdle to incorporating secondhand clothing, so “More Baggy (*2)” is our effort to share styling ideas through an influencer. At WISE, like-minded colleagues who are interested in “circulating” what has already been created in the world—so as to further expand the secondhand market—have been gathering around us.
Also, ideally, we would like to be able to generate revenue with a new business model at least once every three years. There is synergy between colleagues involved in our existing work and those taking on new challenges, and it is very enjoyable to influence one another and complete work that is true to WISE.
▼(*2) More Baggy
A street fashion and secondhand select brand that welcomes Mr. KING—an influencer who became well-known as a secondhand shop staff member—as its director.
Each week, Mr. KING personally selects and proposes coordinated outfits, selling several secondhand items!
▼Kaseki Cider “©CIDER PRODUCTS”
A fashion and lifestyle goods brand that develops pop and artistic collections, with artist Kaseki Cider serving as art director.
The T-shirt worn above was a surprise gift from Miyazawa, who said, “Because you finished the Imperial Palace run!” (I was so happy that I went to the office afterward still wearing it (laughs).)
©CIDER PRODUCTSIt is available for purchase on the official website, so please be sure to check it out!
This time, we interviewed Miyazawa, President of WISE INTEGRATION Co., Ltd.—what did you think? Perhaps the “individuality” of everyone who read this interview may become the catalyst for creating WISE INTEGRATION’s next business. If you are even slightly interested, we sincerely look forward to receiving your application!
WISE INTEGRATION official website: https://www.wise-int.co.jp/
