"We are looking for a CFO, but under the age of 18."
This summer, Euglena established a new post and started open recruitment in order to realize management that considers the future earth and society more seriously.
This "CFO" or "Chief Future Officer" plays a role in thinking about the "future" of the earth and society and improving the company and society. Euglena, and Akihiko Nagata, Vice President of the Company, talked about the background of the initiative, expectations for the CFO, and future prospects.
Excited about the "Wow!" Challenge that makes us expect innovation
— What was your first impression of this initiative, “Recruiting the youngest CFO (Chief Future Officer) listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange”?
Masahiro Kotosaka (hereinafter referred to as Kotosaka): In a word, "Wow!" (Laughs).
I'm proud of my profession and I know most of my business ideas and moves, but this was unexpected and fresh. For the first time in a few years, I was excited to say, "This will bring about innovation!"
Akihiko Nagata (hereinafter referred to as Nagata): I was worried at the concept stage. When I consulted with Mr. Kotosaka, I was scared to cut it out, but in 3 seconds I said "OK! Let's do it!" (Laughs)
Masahiro Kotosaka (Associate Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University / Outside Director, Euglena
When he was a student, he started three companies in the retail and IT fields. After graduating, he was enrolled in McKinsey & Company's Tokyo and Frankfurt. Involved in strategic formulation of multinational corporations in nine countries: Scandinavia, Western Europe, the Middle East and Asia. After retiring from the company in 2008, he transferred to Oxford University Graduate School of Business, obtained a doctorate (business administration) while working as an assistant, and after working at Ritsumeikan University, he has been in his current position since 2016. His books include "The Principles of Business Strategy" and "Understanding the Knowledge of the Essence of Business Administration and Global Management that Transcends Areas".
Kotosaka: Not only is the concept itself innovative, but I also felt that it was of great significance Euglena
Nagata: It's not uncommon for startups, but ...?
Kotosaka:Yes. Euglena, which became a company listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, made a decision has great impact and value.
Nagata: Certainly, it may have been a decision that went beyond common sense. But we are not aiming to fit in the frame. Rather, I am thinking "how can we take on challenges that go beyond common sense?" Especially when considering the future global environment and society, I thought that even unconventional challenges should be taken. In that sense, I think it was an initiative that inevitably gave birth.
The CFO who spins the future will change the connection between companies and society
—実際の反響として、想定以上の応募があったと聞いてます。
Nagata: There were more than 500 people! This was a number far beyond imagination. It's a sensuous calculation, but if I'm a high school student, I would never apply (laughs), and I think there is only one person in each grade. Assuming that 1 in 1,000 people applied, the number of applications is 500, so the information on CFO recruitment itself has reached about 500,000 people.
Kotosaka: So I'm sure everyone in the world said "Wow!" (Laughs)
Nagata: Also, through this recruitment, I felt the amount of support not only from the applicants but also from those around them. This recruitment is for people under the age of 18, so the support of parents and teachers was indispensable for the application. I think that it was because of the presence of everyone who supported us around the applicants that we were able to apply for this much.
Euglena Co., Ltd./Representative of Real Tech Fund)
Graduated from Keio University Faculty of Commerce. Joined an independent private equity fund and belongs to the private equity and consulting departments. In 2008, he Our Ltd., and has been in charge of business strategy, M & A, financing, capital tie-up, public relations / IR, and management departments since the unlisted period of Our He is familiar with the strategy and finance fields that support technology, and is responsible for business development of Our Currently, he is appointed vice president and also serves as the representative of Japan's largest technical VC "Real Tech Fund".
Kotosaka: Our responsibility is serious, Mr. Nagata. The CFO will surely give a carefree opinion from outside our common sense, and we expect it. That voice must be reflected in Euglena
Nagata:I agree. However, the voices of the CFOs are also the best motivation for the realization of "corporate management that always takes social significance into consideration."
Kotosaka: The best motive?
Nagata: For example, suppose I think that a measure should be changed to increase its social significance. However, as a person responsible for sales and profits, there are times when I cannot say it out loud. However, in the opinion of the CFO, it is inevitable to implement it, and it will be much more persuasive.
Kotosaka: The opinions of future protagonists and future parties are reflected in management.
Nagata: Is there no reason to deny it? Because it is the "CFO" who will bear the future. I think this is a big change.
Discuss and make decisions with the CFO who has decided
— Currently (at the time of the interview), the examination of the submitted subject has been completed and an interview is underway. First of all, please tell us your impression of the applicant from the assignment.
Nagata: The challenge this time was "Tell us what you are interested in among the 17 goals of the SDGs and what you Euglena to achieve those goals." You are asking a really interesting question.
Kotosaka: When the CFO takes office, he may yell at us, saying, "It's not the case when you're saying something spoiled!" "Please move fast!"
Nagata: It would be great if such an exchange were born.
Personally, I was impressed by the young teenager's determination to be so prepared, rather than the ideas and thoughts of the applicants.
Looking back when I was a teenager, basically myself and my surroundings were everything in the world. However, this applicant sees the future society as his own, and that is why he applied. I thought that was none other than the resolution.
Kotosaka:I see. From my point of view, my view of society hasn't changed since I was a junior high school student. However, at that time, I had no social position and no knowledge to make an impact. Therefore, now that I am a member of society, I would like to support them who have great potential, and I would like to discuss and make decisions together.
Nagata: That being said, my ideas and ways of thinking may not have changed much since long ago. What has changed is "for whom"? When I was young, I was thinking and acting for myself, but gradually changed to the perspective of "whether it is useful for society" or "whether it can have an impact on society." However, it's been a long time since I became an adult.
Kotosaka: I think the only difference between us and those under the age of 18 is whether or not we are actually competing in the social arena. They should have free ideas, visions, and passions that we don't have, so I hope they will join the discussion with a magma-like passion waiting for the moment of the explosion.
Stress is a sign of change. What is the ideal to draw beyond that?
—Please tell us about your future prospects with the CFO.
Kotosaka: I would like to integrate the CFO's ideas with our management and make an impact on society. In addition, I would like to aim for a society in which everyone is a leader who takes the initiative in the future, and sometimes becomes a follower, and everyone takes action.
Nagata: First of all, I want you to be evaluated for your thoughts and actions and become more famous than the president, Mitsuru Izumo. And I want you to see that the actions taken with the CFO for society are affirmed and that something really changes. The more people who witness the process, the greater the significance of the activity, and I believe that it can change people's perceptions of the future.
I also want it to be our “stress” working at Euglena As long as adults think, "Teenage kids don't say cute things," no real change can happen.
Kotosaka: I want to meet a CFO who feels "But it's okay" while being confused as "I don't understand".
Nagata:Oh yeah. Only when the stress that makes us feel "Urusei!" Is born will we get closer to the essence of our activities. I would like to have a sincere discussion with the CFO and create changes in the future while colliding with each other.
* Honorific titles omitted in the text
Composition: Aki Kuroda / Photo: Takuya Sakawaki / Editing: Yu Oshima