Awajishima Milk Bread on the Hill" opened in the Uzu no Oka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Museum on March 10, 2023. This gem uses plenty of Awajishima milk, loved by islanders, and has a cute form, simple sweetness, and fluffy texture. Ms. Kuwata, who has been with the company for four years, is responsible for the production and sales of the milk bread and also handles PR duties. We interviewed Ms. Kuwata about her current job and her future plans.
Where I learned how to enjoy my work.
-First of all, please look back to the time when you joined the company.
I joined the company as a store staff member, but at first I was very bad at public speaking.
As I gained experience in customer service, such as tasting sales, I began to be able to communicate a little more.
Also, I was never good at cost accounting, but recently I finally learned to do it.
-Do you have any kind of "tips for enjoying your work"?
I have learned to "have fun" by building on my successes.
I was happy when a customer was convinced to purchase a product I recommended.
I feel a sense of accomplishment when I feel like I have shared a "small emotion," a moment when a customer is moved by the deliciousness and enjoyment of a product.
-That's wonderful. Kuwata-san, you have now been with the company for four years and are in charge of milk bread and public relations. What do you feel about your daily work?
Normally, our main business is the production, sales, and product development of milk bread.
We are simply happy when a customer purchases a product that we have worked hard to create with a lot of time and effort. Recently, we have been receiving an increasing number of repeat customers.
In public relations work, I attend to the media who come to cover the event and give interviews.
It is fun to talk with celebrities and see behind-the-scenes of TV filming, but the most interesting part is the reactions of the people around you after the TV broadcast. I have had teachers from junior high school come to see me and say, "I saw you on TV! I saw it on TV!
It is fun to disseminate content that we have all planned together.
I feel every day that both jobs are suited to me.
An environment for honest communication
-That sounds like a fun job. What kind of workplace is Uzunokuni Corporation from your point of view??
It's a workplace that "makes you think."
Supervisors and seniors are the first to accept what you have thought up and initiated.
Of course there are corrections and pointers, but they intervene appropriately. I believe that the accumulation of these efforts will lead to future skills and confidence.
I also feel that my work environment is one where communication is easy and I can keep my worries to myself.
-I see. What do you think is the ideal way to work in a "workplace with many accepting bosses"?
I think the ideal way to work is to "put honest feelings into words.
It is very difficult to just speak up about what you notice or think. But at our company, the supervisors and the company first accept opinions and then proceed with them, so I can speak up without anxiety.
-I see that it is a place where you can work in peace. By the way, how do you change your mood when you make mistakes or are tired while working?
We eat a lot of good food and reset once and for all!
I guess this is my best change of pace.
-Good. Finally, Kuwata-san, what kind of work would you like to do in the future?
From now on, I would like to take on the challenge of not only planning and communicating, but also listening to the voices of everyone who works with me in the field to "create a comfortable working environment.
-Thank you very much!
I'm an honor student! (Laughter)."
Mr. Kuwata spoke happily from start to finish.
After joining the company as a new graduate, he repeatedly took on challenges without fear of failure, and this has brought him to where he is today.
She will continue to overcome challenges with a smile and curiosity and turn them into confidence.
