Creating a Quality-Focused Environment in Web New Business Development

Work Ethic

Decision-Making Criteria to Protect Quality and Trust

Meishi+

Please tell us about the criteria and priorities you keep in mind when facing similar situations now.

Shungo Kashiwagi

When I am unsure about a decision, I try to prioritize quality and trust over short-term results or numbers. Having experienced how difficult it is to regain lost trust, I focus more on building services and organizations that are trusted over the long term rather than just achieving immediate goals. At the same time, I pay attention to balancing speed and quality on the ground, making sure not to lean too much toward either side. When making decisions, I try not to be overly fixated on numbers and make it a point to also consider the essence of the service and the voices from the field.

Origin

The Challenge Began in a Large Organization

Meishi+

Please tell us about any particularly memorable projects in your career and the background behind them.

Shungo Kashiwagi

In 2019, I joined an Indian real estate tech company, an investment of the SoftBank Vision Fund, as a director. Immediately after joining, I was put in charge of eight direct reports and an organization of about 120 people under them, experiencing the launch of a large organization in a short period. While facing big goals, I strongly felt the weight of the challenges and roles required on the ground. This experience became the starting point for my new business development career.

Turning Point

Realizing the Limits of Prioritizing Speed

Meishi+

As you progressed, how did you perceive differences from your initial expectations or gaps on the ground, and how did your thinking change?

Shungo Kashiwagi

At first, I pushed the business forward with an emphasis on speed, but in reality, we couldn't keep up with ensuring quality, and issues such as unreasonable contracts and lack of expertise surfaced. In the real estate field, where tech talent was at the center, on-the-ground experience and quality were being neglected. From that experience, I realized that speed and quality are two wheels of the same cart, and leaning too much toward one undermines the trust in the service. Since then, I have prioritized building systems and making adjustments to ensure quality.

Life

Resetting with a Careful Tea Time

Meishi+

How do you usually spend your time away from work, and how do you refresh yourself?

Shungo Kashiwagi

Every Saturday morning at 8:30, I cherish the time to carefully brew and drink Chinese or Taiwanese tea in my home atelier. Using my favorite antique tea utensils and enjoying tea without thinking about anything helps reset my thoughts and emotions from the week. In that quiet time, new insights or solutions sometimes come to me. I feel that this habit naturally creates a good flow to prepare my mind for the workweek ahead.

Future

Working with Colleagues Who Speak Honestly

Meishi+

What kind of people or teams would you like to work with in the future?

Shungo Kashiwagi

Right now, I value working with colleagues who can speak honestly with each other. Rather than reporting just to make the numbers look good, I prioritize whether the work has real meaning and essence, and I value relationships where we can have honest discussions. Going forward, I want to continue working in a team where we can exchange frank opinions and pursue meaningful work together.