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Taking on the scaffolding industry with no prior experience. A young female salesperson talks about "The reality of ASNOVA"
"Will I still be doing this job in three years?" Ms. Emi Sasaki of the Nagoya Sales Office, Sales Department, jumped into the scaffolding industry with such worries. Three years have passed since she started with no experience, and now she smiles and says, "I wasn't wrong in my choice of path." How did she grow as a young female salesperson in the male-dominated construction industry? We asked her about the appeal of working at ASNOVA and her outlook on her career.
Text: Sayaka Mitsuda
Photo: Sho Kobayashi
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- Emi Sasaki
- Nagoya Sales Office. Engaged in the rental and sales of wedge binding type scaffold mainly in the Chubu area.
A job I jumped into with no prior experience in the industry. Proof of my growth over the past three years
Q. I heard you had experience in sales in your previous job. It has been three years since you jumped into an industry you had no experience in. How did you imagine yourself being in three years' time when you first joined the company?
Sasaki: To be honest, I didn't have a specific vision. scaffolding industry involves working with construction site craftsmen, so I had a vague feeling of anxiety that it would be very tough, and I remember thinking, "I hope I'll still be working here in three years' time."
But after three years, I think, "I made the right choice!" I would like to tell myself that when I first joined the company. I have come to enjoy my work, and the fear and anxiety I had at the beginning has completely disappeared.
→ The interview video is now available on YouTube's "ASNOVA Channel"!
Q: When do you feel like your work is fun?
Sasaki: It's interesting that I have many opportunities to talk directly with business managers. It's something I didn't have much experience with in my previous job, so it's stimulating to hear the perspectives and thoughts of our clients' presidents, and I enjoy learning something new every day. I feel like my horizons are expanding through my daily work.
Although I am now proactive in interacting with people and trying to learn, when I first joined the company, I actually had almost no will of my own when it came to my work. I had a passive attitude of "I do it because my boss told me to" or "I do it because the customer asked me to". However, as I continued to work, my boss started asking me more and more questions like "What do you want to do?", and I realized the importance of having my own ideas. Now, I am able to work with my own will, such as "I want to handle this customer like this", and I feel that the "question" I received back then was a major turning point.
Q. When do you feel that ASNOVA is needed by society?
Sasaki: Scaffolding is something that is always needed when constructing a new building or renovating a building. When you walk around town, you often see scaffolding being used at construction sites, and ASNOVA is a company that provides scaffolding for rent. You may not be aware of this on a daily basis, but we feel that this work is essential to support safe construction sites. I believe that the demand for this industry will not disappear in the future, and at the same time, I always feel that this industry has social significance.
A culture that encourages challenges. A work style that only ASNOVA can offer
Q. What do you find attractive about ASNOVA's work environment and corporate culture?
Sasaki: I think it's because the environment is conducive to taking on challenges. When I made a mistake in the past, someone from higher-ups told me, "That happens sometimes. I'm glad you realized it." That doesn't mean it's okay to make mistakes, but I remember it made me feel a lot better.
Sasaki: ASNOVA is a company that continues to grow rapidly, and I think this tolerant attitude toward failure is one of the reasons for that.
Not only that, ASNOVA has a system where you can attend school or courses with the support of the company, so if there is something you want to learn, you can actively try it. There are many opportunities for employees to learn from each other, such as the monthly in-house reading group "MOKKEI", the training camp "KATARUVA", and study groups for sales staff, so I feel that the environment in which you can grow is well prepared.
Q. I understand that ASNOVA is a very comfortable company to work in and has a great learning environment. But what is the actual position of female sales staff in the industry?
Sasaki: There are many young craftsmen and people working on site, but it is really rare to find a woman. People often say to me, "So ASNOVA has a female salesperson," so I think it's good that they remember me in that respect. In the first place, maybe it's not widely known that there is a job type called "sales" in the scaffolding industry.
After joining the company, I was assigned to work with a senior employee for a few months, and they taught me the job thoroughly, regardless of gender. So, I didn't have to worry much about whether I was a man or a woman at ASNOVA, and in that respect, I think I'm in a very favorable environment.
As a woman, I think there are many times when I think about my future career and worry about marriage and childbirth. However, there are actually people in this company who have returned to work after maternity leave and childcare leave, so I don't feel that it's particularly difficult to work or do things because I'm a woman, and I don't think there's any need to give up on your career.
Q. Please tell us about your future challenges, outlook, and career goals.
Sasaki: I haven't decided on anything specific yet, but I want to take advantage of the company's support and try new learning. I want to gain experience and step up. Of course, I want to aim for a higher position. There are many seniors around me that I respect, so I honestly want to become like them.
Q: Finally, please give us a message!
Sasaki: I think there are difficult things in any job, but ASNOVA is a company where the people around you provide solid support. I was also full of anxiety when I first joined the company, but now, three years later, I am enjoying my work. You may be anxious at first, but that feeling will definitely go away! If you are unsure, let's work hard together!
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