Developing Human Resources for Global Business

The development and exchange of human resources worldwide are the key to business development

With the progress of globalization, the Brother Group sees the development and exchange of human resources worldwide as the key to business development, and is, therefore, providing training aimed at carrying Brother's DNA and improving management skills, and promoting personnel exchanges on a global level, etc. As a part of these efforts, we have been conducting training both in Japan and China for employees at local subsidiaries in China to develop their skills to take over management, and a program for sending young employees from Japan abroad as trainees for the purpose of giving them business experiences in different countries early on in their careers.

We will promote human resource development into global, well-structured and long-term programs, by using the group's own personnel information system across the entire group that shares information on human resources development plans, needs and so forth in each country and region,.

Training Local Executive Candidates as Future Leaders

Promoting leadership training of executive candidates in China

Executive candidates in China learning about leadership

To become a truly global company, the Brother Group is committed to developing human resources at facilities outside Japan. In FY 2010, the Brother Group invested in management training programs for executive candidates at manufacturing facilities in China (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Xian).
In May, the Global Management Seminar was held in Shenzhen to promote self-sustaining factory operation. The seminar helped representatives from respective divisions (including production, IT, quality assurance, procurement, and human resources) to learn more about leadership and vision.

In August, training programs were run for middle managers in Xian to instill important management practices for leading organizations, and the participants drew up action plans in the end. Furthermore, training programs in March and April, 2011 for managers and subordinates helped to improve their abilities to communicate with each other and build trust.

At manufacturing facilities in China, continuous efforts will be made to enhance the quality of programs and help employees incorporate the training activities into their daily work, and thus become proud of being part of the Brother Group.

Developing Global Human Resources through Sales of Embroidering Machines

Creating a promotional campaign for a new product in close collaboration with local dealers

Demonstrating the features of the PR-1000 to dealers and customers

Brother Industries, Ltd.'s Personal & Home Company (P&H Company), which handles home sewing machines and embroidering machines, is committed to developing professional human resources who can do business in the global market. As part of such efforts, in FY 2010 P&H Company sent its young employees to join the promotional and sales campaign ("PR Caravan") in close collaboration with local dealers at the time of the launch of the PR-1000, a flagship model of professional-use embroidery machines sold outside Japan.

The PR Caravan kicked off in August in line with the product's release in the US. Workshops and embroidery business seminars were held for dealers and customers in countries throughout Europe, South America, and Asia. Brother staff presented the PR-1000's features, such as high productivity and user-friendly touchscreens, and explained the keys to a successful embroidery business.

The P&H Company employees who joined the PR Caravan learned a lot by communicating with local agencies, dealers, and customers, while experiencing the diversity of cultures and practices in different countries. Notably, the employees felt a sense of accomplishment in presenting new values of embroidering machines in the Muslim world where huge potential needs are yet to be met. Sales of the PR-1000 far exceeded the target, and the PR Caravan was highly successful in developing professional human resources and promoting sales.

Brother Welcomes Aboard the Second Batch of Global Recruits

New graduates from universities and graduate schools outside Japan join the Brother Group

Training session: new graduates from universities and graduate schools in China and other countries

In October 2010, Brother Industries (BIL) was joined by 10 new graduates from universities and graduate schools in China and others following the first global recruitment in the same month a year ago.

The Brother Group aspires to become a "truly global company" that enables many employees to play an active role across the globe regardless of nationality. As part of such efforts, Brother is committed to recruiting and training global human resources. These international staffs are expected to be key players at Brother's manufacturing facilities in their own countries.

Many of this second batch of global recruits started to learn Japanese after receiving informal job offers. During the two-month period from July, the employees joined a group training program to learn Japanese in Dalian, China to improve their Japanese sufficiently to function without trouble in Japan. The rookies started their careers as Brother Group associates at the orientation ceremony on October 1 where they received words of congratulation and encouragement from President Koike and the general manager of the personnel department.

After learning about Japanese culture and customs and acquiring knowledge needed as Brother Group employees via a basic training course for new recruits, the new employees were assigned to respective departments (primarily development divisions) from January 2011.

Based on its experience gained through global recruitment, the Brother Group will refine its expertise in the training framework, daily life support, and cross-cultural communications and enhance and upgrade its training programs for global human resources.