Business Overview

SMD is a global consulting partner that empowers people and organizations to grow together and shape the future.

Business Overview

Organizational Change

Organizational change must be approached with a clear vision of the desired outcome.
At SMD, we work closely with our clients to define and share the goals and expected results of organizational change based on their corporate strategy, vision, and business model.
We also pay close attention to the impact that such changes may have on corporate culture and employee sentiment.

In some cases, significant resistance or a lack of necessary management resources may arise.
When this happens, it is often more effective to take a phased or gradual approach rather than aiming to achieve the final goal all at once.

SMD implements effective organizational change by understanding the company’s culture while never losing sight of the ultimate objective.

・Clarifying the organizational changes needed to execute business strategies
・Supporting the transition toward the desired organizational structure
・Providing examples of optimization achieved through organizational change

○Streamlining business workflows
○Clarifying roles and responsibilities
○Strengthening sales capabilities
○Eliminating defective products
○Reinforcing commitment to key markets, and more

HR Systems

One of the most important tools for realizing the ideal organizational structure to execute a company’s strategy is its HR system.
The HR system plays a vital role in effectively linking the key management resources—people, goods, capital, and information.
With an appropriate HR system, employees understand and are motivated toward the right behaviors, while the company can allocate labor costs efficiently and deliver greater value to customers.

At first glance, HR systems may appear similar across companies.
However, this perception often leads to rigidity or the uncritical adoption of trendy HR models.
In reality, while many HR systems share surface-level similarities, each organization possesses unique characteristics that form the true core of an effective system—one that fully utilizes human potential.
A well-designed HR system establishes the environment necessary to foster the desired organizational behavior and leadership.

SMD structures and develops HR systems tailored to each organization’s specific direction and needs.
We build optimal systems in collaboration with clients by balancing multiple factors, including business expansion plans, legal frameworks, employment types, and organizational culture.

【Examples of HR System Components】

○Grading System: scope, structure, criteria, etc.
○Evaluation System: assessment criteria, methods, promotion and demotion policies, etc.
○Compensation System: salary, bonuses, retirement benefits, welfare programs, various incentive schemes, etc.
○Link Between Evaluation and Compensation: motivation mechanisms, fairness and transparency, alignment with corporate strategy, etc.

【Examples of HR System Types】

○Annual Salary System
○Management by Objectives (MBO)
○Competency-Based System
○Job-Based Pay System
○Skill/Ability Qualification System, etc.

Reconstruction of Retirement Benefit Systems

When revising a retirement benefit system, problems often arise when the issue is viewed solely from a financial perspective.
This tendency stems from the fact that such reforms are typically triggered by worsening financial conditions or the introduction of retirement benefit accounting standards.

Indeed, financial issues must be addressed, as deteriorating cash flow could, in some cases, threaten the company’s very survival.
However, if the reform focuses only on financial aspects, it can lead to a loss of employee motivation, resulting in decreased productivity and weakened competitiveness—creating new challenges instead of solving existing ones.

The reconstruction of a retirement benefit system must contribute to improving competitiveness.
To achieve this, it is essential to define the ideal structure of the compensation system within the overall HR framework, and then design a retirement benefit scheme that aligns with it—while taking into account financial and legal constraints.

SMD does not engage in any investment or asset management activities.
This allows us to maintain a completely neutral stance and provide services that prioritize the best interests of our clients.

Production Management

The term “Kaizen (Continuous Improvement)” has become internationally recognized, reflecting how production management techniques—pioneered by companies like Toyota—are among Japan’s most valuable contributions to the world.
Production management is supported by the collective expertise and wisdom of on-site teams, with improvement being one of its most crucial elements. Although Kaizen is based on knowledge and technical skill, its success ultimately depends on the mindset and determination of the people who drive it.

SMD focuses on enhancing employees’ way of thinking to enable genuine, continuous improvement.
Our goal is to establish a workplace where Kaizen becomes a sustained behavior—leading to ongoing productivity gains rather than temporary results.

However, improvement is not limited to the production line alone. True effectiveness often emerges only when departments such as sales, operations, and development work in close coordination.
Through improvement initiatives, SMD helps break down barriers between departments and build strong, customer-oriented, and productive organizations—pursuing the true essence of production management that goes beyond simple cost reduction.

Examples of Production Management Goals】

・Optimizing subcontractor management
・Reducing product inventory
・Eliminating defective products
・Improving productivity
・Enhancing work processes
・Strengthening delivery schedule management

Project Examples

1.Organizational and HR-Related Projects

・Restaurant Chain
A restaurant chain with 50 employees preparing for an IPO within two years.
Developed organizational reforms and HR systems to support rapid growth—projecting a sixfold increase in staff and a threefold expansion in store count over two years.
Implemented flexible systems and training programs, with provisions for revising policies at each growth stage.

・Foreign-affiliated branded consumer goods retail company (fewer than 200 employees)
Supported the revision of the HR evaluation system to shift from seniority-based equal treatment to a performance-driven approach that enhances competitiveness.
Established measurable performance targets contributing to company growth, set clear and simple evaluation criteria easily understood by employees, and designed a system that ensures fair operation with minimal administrative burden.

・Public-Sector–Related IT Services Company (fewer than 100 employees)
Introduced competency and MBO-based evaluation systems to shift from a seniority-oriented mindset to a contribution-based approach.
Supported the revision of the traditional retirement benefit system, which posed a risk of excessive future financial burden.
Implemented these HR measures in alignment with the organization’s strategic direction, achieving both financial benefits such as appropriate liability control and HR benefits such as optimal labor mobility.

・Educational Corporation (fewer than 500 employees)
In response to Japan’s aging and declining population, supported the transformation of traditionally bureaucratic mindsets and behaviors into those suited for a competitive, customer-oriented private sector environment.
Provided organizational reform support as part of a university-wide restructuring initiative, including strategies to minimize resistance to change, optimize personnel placement and replacement, develop next-generation talent, revise evaluation systems, and conduct behavioral and mindset training for improved sales activities.
Implemented practical solutions that ensured legal compliance in employment matters, enhanced employee retention, and ultimately contributed to overall performance improvement.

Foreign-Affiliated Semiconductor Product Factory (fewer than 500 employees)
Supported productivity improvement and operational enhancement.
Developed mechanisms to prevent critical errors and established clear role divisions with defined authority and responsibility structures.
Provided on-site guidance to promote effective problem-solving activities and ensured smooth operations by eliminating excessive management practices.

2.Education and Training

・Foreign-Affiliated Major Pharmaceutical Company (more than 1,000 employees)
Introduced an assessment system to enhance the sales performance of Medical Representatives (MRs), along with training methods and measurement techniques.
Provided a framework to develop assessors capable of identifying, recruiting, and promoting high-performing talent.

・Fashion Retail Company (more than 1,000 employees)
Following a merger, organizational divisions, changes in the business model, and an economic downturn led to a decline in sales performance and on-site effectiveness.
Provided group training aimed at transforming the mindset and behavior of managers and leaders who were slow to respond to these challenges.
Encouraged broader perspectives and offered practical insights for problem-solving to promote self-driven transformation.

・Japanese Sales Subsidiary of a Foreign-Affiliated Chemical Manufacturer (fewer than 100 employees)
Despite having strong competitive advantages, the company faced challenges in executing effective sales activities to achieve results.
Conducted training focused not only on individual performance but also on building strong interpersonal relationships.
Developed result-oriented sales strategies and processes, emphasized the acquisition of practical, fundamental sales skills, and supported the establishment of a high-performing sales organization.

・Major Steel Manufacturer (more than 1,000 employees)
Conducted training for managers to deepen their understanding of harassment prevention and the importance of mental health care, enabling them to practice appropriate daily behavior and risk management.
The program focused on proactive prevention rather than reactive measures—emphasizing a “go slow to go fast” approach to mental health care management.
Also reinforced awareness among executives and supervisors of the often-overlooked importance of employee mental health support.

・Foreign-Affiliated Distribution Venture (fewer than 100 employees)
As the organization rapidly expanded, SMD provided training primarily for management-level employees to instill a strong awareness of compliance and corporate governance—areas that had previously received little attention.
The program also focused on strengthening the essential capabilities of a resilient organization, including harassment prevention, mental health care, and effective management skills.

・Major Megabank (more than 1,000 employees)
Comprehensive training program: Leadership and mindset transformation for managers and team leaders, combined with communication and management skills training to create synergistic effects.

3.Production Management–Related Projects

・LCD Manufacturing Company
Approximately 200 employees.
Achieved production aligned with planning targets, improved productivity, and significantly reduced manufacturing lead times.

・Aluminum Sash Manufacturing Company
Approximately 200 employees.
Improved work processes and provided on-site manufacturing guidance to enhance production line efficiency and overall productivity.

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