The Planning Section is the core unit of the Coordination Division and every employee therein regards Mr. Inoue as an extremely capable, confident and energetic member of staff. Mr. Inoue firmly believes that an employee's growth is promoted through hard work and late hours overtime at the office. He, himself, was trained in this manner and was successfully assigned to his current important post.
Mr. Kubota replied, "Actually, I have to disagree. On-the-job work experience is, of course, extremely valuable but training has proven to be equally important. I assume that you yourself have undertaken various training programs, and that these provided you with an opportunity to develop job skills and make personal connections with a wide range of people. With training, employees broaden their outlook and sharpen their analytical skills and this, in the long run, enhances their performance at work. This type of training is the cornerstone of skill development. Making an employee work hard without providing any opportunity for off-the-job training will instill in that person a shortsighted perspective. In addition to this, Mr. Kotani's colleagues who entered this organization in the same year will all participate and this situation provides a good opportunity for them to enhance their comradeship . The work you referred to can be covered between us. There is no guarantee that he will have an opportunity to participate next year. Can you please consider his participation this time ?"
"I am not exaggerating. We are extremely busy and it is simply impossible for us to send Mr. Kotani on a training course at this time of year.", Mr. Inoue would not concede.
Mr. Kubota decided that it would be difficult to persuade him otherwise at present and took leave. He spoke with Mr. Kotani to find out his opinion. "I have been looking forward to this training course for a long time. This is a great opportunity to reformulate ideas. Please persuade Mr. Inoue to let me participate in it.", he expressed.
Mr. Kubota determined that he would try whatever it takes after hearing this declaration by Mr. Kotani. There was one small problem, however, and that was that he had absolutely no idea of how he could go about persuading Mr. Inoue to change his mind.
(Discussion Points)
・What is your impression regarding Mr. Inoue's opinion and judgment ?
・Do you think that in this case Mr. Kotani's training takes priority over his everyday work ? If so, how would you persuade Mr. Inoue in this ?
