In today's business environment, which is changing at an unprecedented speed, what is the most important asset for companies to continue growing sustainably and being chosen by society? Is it the latest equipment? Is it breakthrough technology? I am convinced that neither of those, but rather "talent," the people who make up the company, is the most important asset.
This article explains why "talent" now determines the brand value of a company, and how the "human capital management" we promote creates future corporate value.
Why Do We Call It "Talent" Rather Than "Human Resources"?
The reason for calling it "talent" rather than "human resources" is clear. Generally, "human resources" includes the nuance of "material," and tends to be seen as costs or subjects of management. However, people are not replaceable materials for companies, but the source of value creation with infinite potential, i.e., "treasure."
Before founding INA&Associates, witnessing the multi-tier subcontracting structure in the real estate industry and having strong awareness of the reality that labor was not fairly evaluated and many people were exhausted. This experience became the driving force behind wanting to create a system where everyone involved can be happy. We think that enterprises valuing "talent" and investing in their growth is the most rational and effective management strategy for enhancing corporate competitiveness and achieving sustainable growth.
What Is Human Capital Management? Why Is It Attracting Attention as an Investment in the Future?
Human capital management is a management approach that aims for medium-to-long-term corporate value improvement by investing in the knowledge, skills, and capabilities that employees have as corporate "capital." Its importance has been advocated in the "Human Capital Ito Report" published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and it is becoming a global standard.
| Perspective | Conventional Talent Strategy | Human Capital Management |
|---|---|---|
| View of talent | "Cost" to be managed | "Capital" as source of value creation |
| Investment purpose | Cost reduction, operational efficiency | Medium-to-long-term corporate value improvement |
| Evaluation indicators | Labor share, personnel cost ratio | Employee engagement, ROI |
| Time horizon | Short-term | Long-term, sustainable |
What Are the 5 Mechanisms by Which Talent Investment Strengthens Corporate Brand?
Investment in talent strengthens corporate brand through 5 steps, from improving employee engagement to gaining social trust.
1. Improvement of Employee Engagement
Employees who feel that the company is seriously considering and investing in their growth deepen their trust and attachment to the company. This improvement in "employee engagement" elicits voluntary contribution motivation and dramatically improves the quality of services provided to customers.
2. Creation of Innovation
In an environment where psychological safety is ensured and diverse talent can maximize their respective capabilities, new ideas easily emerge from active exchange of opinions. A culture that recommends challenge and tolerates failure accelerates corporate innovation.
3. Strengthening Recruitment Competitiveness (Employer Branding)
The reputation that "that company values people" and "there is an environment where you can grow" becomes a powerful magnet that attracts excellent talent. In the modern labor market, the tendency to value corporate philosophy and work engagement is growing year by year.
4. Cultivation of Customer Loyalty
The sight of employees who are proud of their company and work with vitality gives customers a sense of security and trust. High-quality services and hospitality from the heart provided by employees capture customers' hearts and build long-term trust relationships.
5. Gaining Social Trust
In today's era where ESG investment is expanding, what responsibility companies are fulfilling toward employees and society greatly influences evaluations from investors and all of society. Active investment in human capital and information disclosure improves corporate transparency and reliability.
What Kind of Talent Investment Does INA&Associates Practice?
We have incorporated the philosophy into management as concrete measures. The vision is "World No. 1 Talent Investment Company." Here are some of the initiatives toward its realization.
| Measure Category | Specific Initiative Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Fair evaluation and compensation system | Build a highly transparent system that evaluates results and contributions from multiple perspectives, aiming for the highest compensation system in the industry. | Improving employee motivation and realizing fair compensation for labor. |
| Providing continuous learning opportunities | Not only qualification acquisition support related to real estate, but also actively encourage participation in external training and seminars according to individual career plans. | Enhancing the expertise and market value of each employee, linking to company growth. |
| Cultivating a culture that recommends challenge | Share the value that "failure is not evil; not challenging is evil," and develop a workplace environment with high psychological safety. | Promote the creation of innovation without being constrained by conventional concepts. |
| Promoting well-being | Provide an environment where people can work in good health both mentally and physically through flex time systems, remote work introduction, and regular mental health support. | Maximizing employee performance and supporting long-term career formation. |
Summary: Building the Future Through Investment in "Talent"
In this era of rapid change, the essential value that companies should rely on is none other than the "talent" who work at the company. Investing in talent growth and maximizing their capabilities is the only path to creating imitable competitive advantage and building sustainable growth and a strong corporate brand.
INA&Associates will continue as the "World No. 1 Talent Investment Company" to challenge the transformation of the real estate industry and the realization of a society where everyone involved can prosper.
