Systematization and analysis support the decision-making framework used in M&A consulting.

Work ethic

On-site during my time at Rakuten Group

Meishi+

Could you tell us about your experience as a manager at Rakuten Group, including the work you were responsible for and the tasks you were in charge of?

Takumi Sato

In my previous job, I was a manager in the e-commerce department. I was mainly involved in sales expansion consulting for online retailers, developing advertising strategies, optimizing product pages, and designing promotional campaigns. In the field, I often supported multiple projects and companies simultaneously, and I made a point of accurately understanding the unique challenges and situations of each one.

origin

Difference in results

Meishi+

Please tell us about any challenges or concerns you felt while working on projects or on-site.

Takumi Sato

As my team worked with the same company for several years, we noticed that each person in charge had different approaches to analysis and improvement, resulting in significant differences in performance. As a manager, I was constantly thinking about how to narrow the gap in performance among team members. I felt the need to analyze how each member within the company was achieving results and to create an operational system where anyone with a certain level of ability could produce results. I was uneasy about how the inconsistencies in each person's methods and differences in approach directly led to differences in performance.

turning point

Establishment of an operational system

Meishi+

What actions or adjustments did you actually take to narrow the gap in results among the people in charge?

Takumi Sato

First, I systematized advertising operation rules based on market and competitor analysis. Furthermore, I built sales analysis and dashboards using Tableau, and incorporated team and individual KPI design and PDCA cycle management. By visualizing how each member achieved results and clarifying points for operation and improvement, I aimed to create a system where anyone could achieve a certain level of results, and I was able to achieve this. In addition, I focused on member development and management, making adjustments with individual growth and standardization of work in mind.

life

Judgment criteria

Meishi+

How has your experience in your previous job influenced your current work as an M&A consultant?

Takumi Sato

The knowledge I gained in my previous job is proving invaluable in my current role as an M&A consultant specializing in business planning. I'm directly applying my on-the-ground analytical and systematizing approach to tasks such as designing and executing marketing strategies aimed at securing appointments with executives, building the sales planning department's organization, standardizing operations, and designing and improving A/B testing for direct mail and email marketing. My decisions regarding increasing appointment inflows through new initiatives and building collaborative networks are also based on hypotheses and analyses derived from past experience. I particularly value carefully listening to and analyzing the situation on the ground before formulating and proposing feasible plans.

future

Regarding the future

Meishi+

What kind of people and themes would you like to be involved with in the future? Also, please tell us about your relationship with your work and your personal life.

Takumi Sato

Currently, I am interested in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have a stable foundation but have stalled growth, as well as business owners struggling with a lack of successors. While M&A is one option, I believe that there are different support methods and goals tailored to each company, leveraging my experience and knowledge. I want to build a system where I can analyze the current situation from the other party's perspective, set medium- to long-term goals together, and work alongside them to achieve them, rather than just taking the perspective of a typical M&A consultant. On a personal note, since my child was born last year, I cherish spending time with my son at a park near my home on weekends, and I am conscious of maintaining a work-life balance.