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Changing life stages. Drawing your own career with ASNOVA
Ms. Miyu Suzuki joined ASNOVA in 2017 and has built a career in sales. In 2023, she took maternity leave and childcare leave, returning to work while balancing work and childcare. She is currently working at Sendai Sales Office as the company's first female sales office. How does she build a career while balancing work and childcare? We share Suzuki's real thoughts on the company, along with information on ASNOVA's support and corporate culture.
Text: Sayaka Mitsuda
Photo: Sho Kobayashi
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PROIFILE
- Miyu Suzuki
- Sales Manager, Sendai Sales Office of ASNOVA Co., Ltd. As sales manager of Sendai Sales Office, she is responsible for the rental and sales wedge binding type scaffold in the Tohoku area.
Taking on a challenge with no experience, taking a leave of absence, and returning to work. The journey to becoming sales manager.
Q. What led you to join ASNOVA and how did you end up becoming sales manager?
Suzuki: I was originally working as an office worker at a transportation company, but when I thought about my future career, I wanted to try a different path. Then, a fortune teller told me, "You're suited to a sales job. Sales isn't about selling things, it's about selling people, so it suits you." To be honest, I hadn't thought about a sales job until then, but those words stuck in my mind, so I took the plunge and jumped into ASNOVA.
While I was steadily building my career as a salesperson, I found out I was pregnant and took maternity leave and childcare leave in 2023. In fact, I was asked to be promoted to sales manager while I was pregnant. However, I was worried about whether I could perform the duties of sales manager while raising a child, so I turned it down at first. Even if I became sales manager, I would have to go on maternity leave soon, and I was worried that I would be a nuisance...
At that time, sales manager at the time said to me, "If you try it and it doesn't work, just tell me then, so why don't you give it a try?" Those words really saved me. I thought that even if it wasn't perfect, it was important to try things in my own way, so I accepted the position of sales manager.
Q. You returned to work after maternity leave/childcare leave. Did you experience any concerns or changes?
Suzuki: As expected, balancing work and childcare was my biggest concern. However, I was able to leave my child in a nursery run by the company and create an environment where I could work with peace of mind. I was the first person to return to work at ASNOVA after taking childcare leave, and they were flexible in discussing my commuting methods and working style. I think that this kind of consideration while valuing dialogue is what makes ASNOVA an easy place to work. If there's one thing that has changed, it's the way I work. In the past, I often worked on multiple tasks at the same time, but since I don't know when I'll be contacted to pick up my child, I now try to avoid leaving tasks half-done as much as possible and concentrate on finishing each one to complete it.
I also get a lot of support from the people around me. Even if I get a sudden call to pick up my child, there are people there to support me, saying things like, "We'll take care of it, so don't worry!" or "Please hurry up!", so I can work with peace of mind. I feel that a culture of mutual support is deeply rooted in ASNOVA's culture.
Moving to a new stage in both my personal and professional life. I am building the rails for women's careers at ASNOVA.
Q. Ms. Suzuki, you are the first female sales manager at ASNOVA. I think it's rare for a woman to be in a sales position in this industry, so what do you feel in your daily work?
Suzuki: Actually, when I visit a client for the first time, the male staff member accompanying me is often assumed to be sales manager. But when that happens, I take it as an opportunity to impress them with "This is Sales Manager!", so I try to make sure that I have a strong presence through my appearance and the way I speak.
To achieve this, I try not to leave things that make me wonder "why?" or that I don't understand as they are, but to increase the amount of information I can gather. Gathering information is essential so that I can respond persuasively to any inquiry.
Q. What do you value as sales manager?
Suzuki: It's about creating an environment where people can take on challenges even if they fail. Even in meetings, I always tell people, "Think for yourself and act for yourself!" And by saying, "I'll take responsibility!", I'm conscious of creating a culture where employees can take on challenges without fear. At ASNOVA, there is a culture of trying things without fear of failure. That's why I think it's important to take the first step.
That being said, I still feel frustrated when I can't attend face-to-face meetings with other sales manager. The other day, there was a two-day, one-night training camp for sales manager to discuss next year's initiatives, but I participated online. My husband is currently working away from home, so it's difficult to find work that requires lodging. ASNOVA is a very flexible and easy-to-work company when it comes to maternity leave, childcare leave, and returning to work, but there are still some inconveniences and I sometimes lose confidence, thinking, "Maybe I'm not contributing enough to the company...". But it's precisely at times like these that I think it's important to rely on others and not try to handle things on your own. That one word may become part of ASNOVA's new culture.
Q. Your daily work seems to be very fulfilling, but how do you spend your private time?
Suzuki: I play volleyball with other moms to unwind. I can take my kids with me and it helps me relieve stress, so it's a great way to refresh myself. I think that by enriching my private life as well as my work, I can work in a better way.
Q.Please tell us about your future goals.
Suzuki: I want to raise the profile of the company so that the fact that "ASNOVA has a female sales manager" becomes a hot topic within the industry. At the same time, I would like ASNOVA to be widely recognized as "a company where women can thrive" and "a company where women thrive."
Also, as a pioneer, I would be happy if I could be a model case for the next generation of female employees. When life stages change, I would like to be someone that people can easily consult with and ask, "What would you have done, Suzuki-san, in this situation?" Just because you are a woman, you don't have to give up on your career. I would like to create a track and pave the way for ASNOVA's female employees to be able to "work in a way that suits them."
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