Senior employee K.N, Chemical Engineering Department, joined in 2015
■Job details
Operating mainly in Kinki and Shikoku
I am currently selling LP gas filling equipment. LP gas, also known as propane gas, is one of the essential infrastructures for our lives. The machine that fills the gas into cylinders is called LP gas filling equipment. We conduct interviews and on-site inspections with customers who have LP gas filling equipment, and propose the most suitable equipment. After receiving an order, we will be involved in everything from proposals to equipment installation, including meetings with customers and suppliers, and on-site supervision during construction.
■How I became interested in Daido Kogyo
Interested in the “unsung heroes” of machines that support our daily lives
They handle a wide range of products, including chemical engineering machines, welding machines, cutting machines, and combustion machines, and I became interested in the idea of being able to interact with customers from a variety of industries. Many of the products they handle are unfamiliar to me, but I learned that machines I've never seen before actually support our lives, and I began to want to learn more about them.
■Rewarding and attractive work
Contributing to infrastructure by making proposals tailored to customer needs
I find it rewarding to be able to contribute to the infrastructure of everyday life through LP gas. There are currently approximately 54 million households in Japan, and 24 million of them use LP gas. We believe that stable operation of LP gas filling machines is necessary to supply LP gas, which is still in high demand. Furthermore, our sales activities are not just about selling things, but also involve many problem-solving elements. We find out the problems and requests of our customers and decide on the equipment and specifications that best suit them. In some cases, we may create custom specifications just for the customer. It is up to the salesperson to make a proposal that satisfies the customer. I work every day by communicating and thinking from the customer's perspective.
■Things that are important at work
Build relationships of trust through communication with customers
I value meeting as many customers as possible. A relationship of trust with customers is also important in order for them to buy our products. Direct communication allows me to convey the customer's facial expressions, tone of voice, and my own enthusiasm, so I believe I can more accurately respond to their requests. However, rather than just conveying my enthusiasm, I always try to put myself in the other person's shoes and think about how I can help the customer understand.
■Future goals
Don't be satisfied with the status quo and become a more dependable sales person
I want to be a salesperson who can reach people's pain points without having to say anything. It is not easy to make proposals that satisfy the customer, but as we gain more knowledge and experience and communicate with them, we will solve potential problems that the customer is not aware of. I want to be able to accurately identify needs. I don't think there is anything that makes me so happy as to have people think, ``I want to ask Mr. K.N. from Daido Kogyo.''
