TDC
PEOPLE
M.S.
Incorporating a Design Mindset into SI
Creating New Value for SI Providers
デザイン＆テクノロジーコンサルティング統括部
ＣＸ＆ＵＸデザイン推進部
マネージャー
M.S.
Profile
Joined the company as a new graduate in 2014. Enrolled in the Department of Information Technology at a technical college with the idea that the age of IT is coming and he wants to work with his hands, and aspires to become a system engineer; he joins TDC Soft because of its size of over 1000 people and its flat and friendly corporate culture.
Experience developing our own products marked a turning point in my career
When I first joined the company, I was involved in system development for public sector organizations, but a project to develop our own product—which I joined in my second year—became a turning point in my career. Unlike typical SI projects, where we build exactly what the client requests, developing our own products required us to plan and execute every step of the process—from planning to development to release—on our own. However, the products we released failed to generate many orders and were ultimately unsuccessful.It was particularly frustrating because I was confident in the product’s concept. As I attended every seminar I could find in search of clues as to what had gone wrong, I came across the concept of UX design. Up until then, our company didn’t have a deep understanding of UX, and at the time, I was considering switching to a company where I could gain experience in UX design.When I openly shared my passion for UX design and my thoughts about changing jobs with my boss, he replied, “Let’s do it here at our company,” and discussions began within the company to promote UX design.From then on, I continued to work tirelessly on both input and output—studying design on my own, raising awareness within the company, and building a track record through actual projects. As a result, the number of colleagues who shared my vision grew, leading to the establishment of the CX & UX Design Promotion Office.
Launching a new department to promote UX design both internally and externally
Our department has just been established, and we operate in a way that isn’t bound by conventional frameworks.Our first task was to define our department’s vision, purpose, and values. By pooling the ideas of each member, we established the following: a vision to “create designs that make hearts dance and fill the world with joy”; a mission to “create and celebrate together while striving toward the same vision”; and a mission to “make design the new norm for everyone.”We have also begun making concrete CX/UX design proposals to clients and participating in actual projects to implement UX design. However, the reality is that awareness of our UX design services remains low outside the company. We have therefore launched marketing activities such as external communications and seminars.
Meanwhile, we are also focusing on internal communications within TDC Soft.As new technologies and solutions emerge and the nature of development evolves, an SIer that merely “builds what it’s told to build” cannot survive. Believing that a UX design mindset will become essential for engineers in the future, we are planning, developing, and conducting internal training programs. We are already seeing an increase in user-centric input in actual projects, and we can truly feel that a steady transformation is underway.
Expanding UX design into uncharted territory
As the establishment of our department suggests, I believe TDC Soft’s appeal lies in its culture of freedom. As an independent system integrator of considerable size, the company has the capacity to support employees who take on new challenges. While there is pressure to lead an organization in changing its established ways, having colleagues in other divisions whom I can consult with is a huge source of support. In this fledgling, open environment, the unique reward of our department lies in the ability to think independently while delivering value to both our clients and the company. While those interested in UX design might first think of B2C companies rather than SI firms, I believe that SI firms engaged in B2B business can actually have a more direct impact on a larger number of users.Furthermore, since UX design isn’t as widespread here as it is in the B2C sector, there’s a real thrill in helping to establish it where it doesn’t yet exist.
As for my personal goals, my immediate focus is on gaining as much UX design experience as possible. However, I also aim to refine my design thinking and, eventually, create a role—such as a Chief Design Officer (CDO) or Chief Creative Officer (CCO)—that does not yet exist within our company, and take on that position myself.
