|
|
|
|
|
|
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo
|
|
|
|
|
|
In June, what started in the district of Kasumigaseki in Tokyo where the government offices
are located for summer casual wear, the so-called "Cool Biz", has penetrated into the business society as the latest trend in business fashion. In T.V. and in newspapers, beginning in government business circles and even Prime Minister Koizumi, this trend of a cooler summer feel, environment friendly style, "Cool Biz" wear has really gone popular. In Yamashin, this "Cool Biz" wear style was adopted starting July. Just by removing the necktie, it feels considerably refreshing and cool. For me, the "Cool Biz" style I chose is wearing the Philippine's barong tagalog. The barong tagalog is the national formal wear in the Philippines and are made from fine threads of pineapple, banana, and other domestic materials. As shown in the photo above, Philippine President Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel, are wearing the traditional barong tagalog. As you know, the Philippines since located in the tropical zone has an average room temperature of 28℃ or more, so this traditional wear has been adapted to meet this country's climatic condition. Japan's summer season seems more like being in the tropical region. I think the barong tagalog is perfectly suited to the casual looking "Cool Biz" wear style. The barong tagalog look is certainly cool. However, the barong tagalog remains unpopular in Japan and incongruity especially when on a train or public area, but it becomes a real sign of self-assertion. What is wrong for a Yamashin employee who has a subsidiary factory in Cebu, Philippines to wear the barong tagalog during a hot summer ? I think it is important to have the courage to be self-assertive and have your own independent opinion, views, or principles. It is vital to any job to have your own convictions or judgement. Administrative officers, managers, and production in-charges should have their own idea, suggestions, sentiment or verdict . And if ever there will be policies, instructions, or orders that differ from one's own idea or opinion, there is a need to present or express one's view or give out suggestions. Needless to say, according to circumstances your recommendations may be adopted but sometimes be rejected. If your boss orders after hearing your recommendations like "I heard your opinion, however now I decided to do it like this.", then your response shall be, " I understand." and receive the instructions accordingly. This is the ironbound rule of an organization. What is important is to know the reason why one's opinion or suggestion has not been adopted. Such repetition shall help you to gain wisdom, strength, and growth. Persons who don't have any opinion are considered idle minded people who wait only for orders. There will be no progress made since only what has been instructed are done. Even if it makes you will feel conceited, I think it is significant to express opinions. Not only individually, but this is true also for a company. Yamashin should act like a Yamashin, and send out their own original proposals to clients. Maybe many proposals are turned down but some of proposals will be adopted. However, I think what is valuable is to earnestly reflect on the needs of our customers and send out the best proposals. By learning the reason why our suggestion was not adopted, in near future, our proposal will contribute to our clients. Yamashin's policy is "Rokajinitsukafuru" or that is to say, "Contribution to our customers through the filtration business." I hope for your continued patronage and support for the Yamashin Filter Group. Thank you. Atsuhiko Yamazaki President Yamashin Filter Mfg. Corp |
