UNI-SQUARE
Looking Back at 2022
It is already December! The last month of 2022 is ending.
Time flies like an arrow. What kind of year has this been?
In this year’s January issue, 14 of our NAKAMA told us their aspirations for the year. Have they achieved their targets and satisfied their expectations? For this last issue of the year, we asked the same 14 to join us in looking back at 2022 together.
We have all worked hard this year!
We wish you and your families a Happy New Year!
UNIVA Gyro-n
Customer Success Division
Marin Iioka
First, I was unable to participate in a marathon… (bitter smile).
On the business front, I established a “One with the Customer” Customer Success team. The main reason for not renewing contracts was the inability to make effective use of our system’s functions. In our business, the rule is not “Catch a fish and give it to the customer,” but rather “Teach the customer how to fish.” So besides the usual lecture when we installed the system, to provide the support needed to retain users, we confirmed how each customer was planning to use the tool, and offered thoughtful customized proposals for how best to use the tool to solve their problems. We did a better job of “application support.” In coming years we will be searching for more and better ways to provide application support. 2022 has been a year of instability and many tragic events. We offer our heartfelt gratitude to all of our NAKAMA who have soldiered on! An offer heartfelt prayers that 2023 will be a better year.
UNIVA America, Inc.
Director of Marketing
Naomi Oshiro
It was my ambition to use my credentials in Sustainable Business Strategy from the Harvard Business School to offer marketing solutions to clients while contributing to society. But the twin impacts of the weaker yen and COVID made this a year of high hurdles for Japanese firms. The circumstances were severe, but on a personal level I learned a lot. That made this a fulfilling year for me.
UNIVA Guangzhou Trading
Accounting Division
Qinyi Wu
Last year my responsibilities were not confined to accounting. I vigorously promoted a proposal for a new business for UGT, selling eggs. But China’s strict COVID policy, rising costs, the bankruptcy of the sales company, trademark issues with the brand, and other unexpected problems blocked the realization of that plan. I carried on in the face of weekly PCR tests and other negative factors. My morale was heightened by reading UNI-SIGHT and learning every month how my NAKAMA were still working so hard. As a result, UGT will start selling eggs in earnest next year through a collaboration with China’s Post Office. UGT is aiming to turn the inspiration that UNI-SIGHT provides into a leap forward in 2023.
UNIVA Mutual Aid Association
Section Chief
Yohei Takabayashi
We are developing new products related to natural disasters. Explorations of tie-ups with reinsurance companies are proceeding smoothly! Our aim is to provide a type of insurance no existing product provides, condolence money coverage that no other insurer offers. Negotiations aiming at the earliest possible release are already underway. It is unfortunate that we were unable to offer this new product this year, but our goal is to bring it to everyone as quickly as possible.
Uni Marche
Tomonori Okazaki
Uni Marche sold carefully selected products, primarily our Toriyose Gourmet gifts, to our members. This year we began supplying our products at a special discount to OAK Capital shareholders. Our monthly sales set a new record and we received many warm compliments from our shareholder customers. Our new sales model, which allowed selling through different channels to those who are not Uni Marche members was a great success. The question before us in the coming year is how to further expand our customer base, while involving our members in ways that lead to recurring sales. We will continue to please our customers by supplying them with products whose safety and quality are superb.
Naturally Plus Hong Kong
Customer Service
Lau Chi Keung, Jason
I began by setting goals for the year. Suddenly that year is over, and I am still at work trying to achieve those goals. This year the Hong Kong government relaxed its COVID policy, making it possible for us to hold seminars with new themes at our salon. Thus, for example, in an effort to supply our members with essential healthcare information, we invited the Hong Kong Cancer Society to offer a seminar on how to prevent cancer. To recruit new members, we worked with Hong Kong leaders to distribute flyers near hospitals. As we continue this work, we look forward to working together with the new NPHK.
Naturally Plus Indonesia
Coordinator
Ade Syafitri
This year saw a steady increase in offline seminars and events. In addition, Naturally Plus Indonesia had its first campaign in two years. In February we organized an in-country tour to Bali, in which 56 individuals participated. It was truly exciting. The Japan campaign originally planned for the fall of this year will take place early in 2023. Nearly 90 members have already signed up to travel to Japan. We are also working hard to increase the number of participants in next October’s FESTA.
Naturally Plus Japan
General Manager of Sales Strategy Office
Sales Strategy Office Division Chief
Hiroki Tadokoro
In 2022 how to increase sales was our theme. Our goal was a campaign to develop a stream of on-going sales that would increase new member registrations and increase the frequency of product purchases. As a result, new memberships in 2022 (period 24) were 122.1% of those in 2021 (period 23). New member campaign participation was 109.1% of the previous year. That said, campaign product sales per new member declined. Lower price per unit, reduced sales to 96.7% of previous year. In 2023 we will be striving to increase product sales.
Naturally Plus Malaysia
Assistant General Manager
Casey Tee
Over the last few years, Covid-19 pandemic has reshaped many aspects of our lives. As we have learned to adapt to these changes, it is likely to stay with its different variants. There is no universal playbook for organization to follow right now, we each have parts to play. If you know your purpose, it’s much easier to determine what you are best positioned to contribute in difficult times. In Naturally Plus Malaysia, our objectives contain goals that cannot be met without people. Since the crisis began, we have made number of decisions backed by this purpose. Decisions like moving quickly to working from home, using technology to unite people. I’m incredibly humbled to witness the collective influence of our colleagues, members and communities come together with resilience force for a world of longer and healthier lives.
Naturally Plus Singapore
Assistant General Manager
Samuel Chung
The days pass by so quickly and it’s regrettable that we failed in achieving profit for company this year. However, we aren’t defeated and will carry on the efforts to strive for the goal. In light of the fleeting changes, I am grateful to my family, colleagues, and members for keeping up their physical and mental health and have withstood all challenges in finding their direction in the new world. In the principle of resonance, we shall live a happy and meaningful life together!
Naturally Plus Thailand
HR/General Affairs Leader
Suwanma Santithaweechai
Currently, I have been working at Naturally Plus Thailand for 3 years as HR and Admin staff (with Leader title). About my work in the past year, there have been a lot of changes. Our Thai manager had resigned in February 2022. Also, there was a change of Naturally Plus Thailand’s General Manager in August 2022. However, no matter what changes happen, I am still focusing on my work, trying to improve my working skill, and learning new things to be able to have a better responsibility for my tasks assigned. I hope, in the coming year 2023 will be the year that Naturally Plus Thailand can go through all the crisis, can generate better sales, can find new distribution channels that suit for people’s lifestyle nowadays after covid 19 pandemic. All staff in Naturally Plus Thailand and I are ready to go all out to learn, to improve and to take action in order to achieve the goal which makes Naturally plus Thailand to grow up and stable.
Naturally Plus USA
Media Design Specialist
Eric Bronk
In 2022, I planned on professional/work growth and personal/health growth. I also wanted to make better financial decisions. Currently, I have kept up a routine of regular exercise. I’ve also kept up with a diet that is low in carbs, fat, and cholesterol. I’ve worked on many projects that helped to expand my creativity and skillset. Though I have made strides, I feel there is more to do and more for me to gain if I continue this path. So, this is my resolution for 2023. To have an ongoing self-improvement plan… to be a better, healthier, and happier person overall.
UNP Healthcare Vietnam Co., Ltd
Business Coordinator/Assistant Manager
Ho Thi Bich Phuong
Recovery and return to normal activities after COVID-19. We were a Bronze Sponsor in April of this year at HCMC Marathon which was attended by 9,000 people, which greatly increased the visibility of the UNPHC brand. This year we are running 'GOGO JAPAN' and 'GOGO KOREA' campaigns, and since incentive tours are an integral part of NP, we strive to make wonderful and memorable trips for our valued agents.
Naturally Plus Korea
Han Yuseung
The last year went by so fast. Looking back on it, I see it as a time of personal growth, filled with experience and learning. The biggest new experience was taking responsibility for the New Aphrodite renewal. There are things that I now regret, but things turned out well in the end. That was the right decision, I think. I grew so much because of it. As I look forward to 2023, I want to put that personal growth to work to develop NPKR, and I will be working hard to take full advantage of that experience. I will not waver from the path I have chosen.