Employee Spotlight:  Shigemori Takahiro, Senior Sales Manager

The Deciding Factor for Joining the Company is the Seriousness of "Global from Day 1"

Why did you choose to join Josys among the many startups available?

I joined Josys in April 2022 and have been here ever since. I was drawn to the vast market Josys is targeting.

Information systems departments exist across the globe, from startups to large corporations, and all face challenges. I was impressed by the horizontal reach of this market, cutting across different nationalities, and the vertical scope, addressing businesses of all sizes.

Second, I saw that Josys has a unique business model capable of targeting this massive market. Combining SaaS and outsourcing, it offers solutions specifically designed for the information systems departments—arguably the last uncharted territory in back-office efficiency.

Lastly, Josys's commitment to being "global from day one" stood out. From the start, the company has built a global team structure, focusing on international expansion. Communication often occurs in English, which, while presenting potential cultural and linguistic challenges, fosters an environment based on objective, data-driven communication.

Josys's leadership under Matsumoto, the founder of Raksul, also influenced my decision. His experience as a serial entrepreneur has created a forward-thinking, globally-oriented environment that is truly unique to Josys.

Can you describe your current role and responsibilities?

When I first joined, I worked in business development, launching outsourcing services and developing sales funnels.

Now, as a Senior Sales Manager, I oversee sales for startups and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees. I also take a direct role in sales for companies with 500 to 3,000 employees. My mission is to maximize Josys's ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) in the Japanese market.

In addition to generating revenue, I’m responsible for recruitment, training, and enablement—building an organization that consistently delivers results. I also implement a scientific PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act), leveraging data such as login rates during trials and usage patterns to optimize outcomes.

Without prior sales experience, how have you succeeded in your role?

My previous consulting experience has been invaluable. Both sales and consulting aim to solve problems and require staying close to the customer.

Since Josys addresses a new market, many customers are unaware of their own challenges. It’s essential to listen carefully, understand the current state ("As-Is") and the desired future state ("To-Be"), and help customers define the questions that will guide them toward their goals. We then collaborate to identify the best starting point and work closely to achieve functional and operational solutions.

What moments make you feel fulfilled in your role?

I’m always focused on overall optimization. It’s incredibly rewarding to create systems that lead to success, even in my absence.

During a business’s growth phase, the goal is for processes to function independently of any single individual. A strong system—whether it involves training new members, documenting knowledge, or passing on expertise like a “secret sauce”—is the foundation of organizational growth.

Have you faced any challenges since joining Josys?

In the company’s early days, about two years ago, we struggled with alignment as employees from diverse backgrounds joined. The company’s direction hadn’t yet been articulated clearly.

We resolved this by verbalizing CEO Matsumoto's vision and defining the company’s goals. This gave us a shared language and increased our unity. Other than that, I can’t think of significant challenges at Josys.

What do you enjoy most about working at Josys?

Josys is still in its early stages, making it the perfect environment for ambitious individuals eager to try new things, tackle global challenges, and apply their full intellect and skills.

While we expect professionalism from every team member, the environment is also supportive, with experienced senior employees closely mentoring younger colleagues. This unique mix creates opportunities for growth while contributing to an untapped global market.