Leading through innovation
Creating a competitive future with purpose
At Uvance Wayfinders, we are a diverse group of talented consultants, leveraging our expertise and experience to solve our clients’ challenges and unlock business value. This series discusses who we are, why we are here, and how we, as individuals and as a business, bring value to both our clients and to society.
Here we hear from Senior Consultants Kataoka and Kunishige as they discuss technology-driven business transformation, social contribution, and how they will leverage Uvance Wayfinders' strengths to maximize value for their clients.
Could you share your career journey and how it led you to Uvance Wayfinders?
Erika Kataoka:
I joined Fujitsu in 2023. Prior to that, I have worked on consulting projects, primarily in the manufacturing and healthcare industries, at Fujitsu Research Institute (now Fujitsu) and Ridgelinez. Currently, I am involved in data utilization and AI (Artificial Intelligence) implementation for the mobility industry.
Ryotaro Kunishige:
After working at a trading company, a global digital marketing company, and a global IT vendor, I joined Fujitsu in 2022. At Uvance Wayfinders, I primarily provide consulting services to the manufacturing industry, offering end-to-end, hands-on support from concept and planning to implementation.
How do you leverage your expertise and strengths to make an impact at Uvance Wayfinders?
Erika:
My strength lies in my ability to objectively understand and successfully navigate uncertainty.
As a student, I researched how traditional or herbal medicines, exert their disease resistance effects on the complex system that is the human body.
Today, society and businesses alike are also exposed to uncertain and complex environmental changes. As the answer constantly changes, I believe that the role of a consultant is to objectively consider how our clients should navigate these uncertainties and advise on a roadmap to do so.
Erika Kataoka
Senior Consultant, Uvance Wayfinders
Erika is a consultant with Fujitsu's Global Consulting Business Group, specializing in data utilization and AI implementation for clients in the mobility industry. She joined Fujitsu in 2023 after gaining experience at Fujitsu Research Institute (now Fujitsu) and Ridgelinez, where she led new business development, organizational change projects, and technology research initiatives, primarily in the manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Erika is also a licensed pharmacist and a part-time lecturer at Kochi University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering Graduate School.
Ryotaro:
My strength lies in providing consistent, hands-on support, from formulating technologically-informed concepts and plans, to designing architectures that oversee both the “As-Is” (current state) and “To-Be” (future state), along with system implementation. Beyond defining system requirements, I leverage my technological knowledge and practical experience to provide PMO support, by being deeply involved in the field, to promote and manage the entire project.
Mr. Kunishige, having recently joined Fujitsu, what initially attracted you to Uvance Wayfinders?
Ryotaro：
What sets Uvance Wayfinders apart is, first, the integration of in-house technology, business operations, and consulting services, a unique combination not typically found in other consulting firms. Second, the scale of our client base allows us to accumulate and share practical transformation knowledge across numerous customers, leading to more effective and tailored support. Finally, we prioritize 'hands-on support' in its truest sense, focusing on the client's needs and avoiding the forced implementation of unnecessary services. This commitment to genuine client-centricity is something I've truly come to appreciate since joining Fujitsu.
Ryotaro Kunishige
Senior Consultant, Uvance Wayfinders
Ryotaro joined Fujitsu in 2022, bringing a wealth of experience from roles at a trading company, a global digital marketing firm, and a global IT vendor. As part of the Japan Unit of the Global Consulting Business Group, he focuses on concept planning for the manufacturing industry, providing consulting support to major home appliance and precision equipment manufacturers. Ryotaro holds an MBA.
In your experience at Uvance Wayfinders, what are the top priorities and requirements that clients typically express?
Erika:
I strongly feel that there are high expectations for technology. I believe that most of our clients want to incorporate rapidly evolving technology to improve their businesses and to achieve sustainable growth. However, many are unsure about how to best implement and optimize these technologies. I feel that there is a growing need to support clients by bridging the gap between this "desired future" and the "current situation”.
In response to these expectations and requirements, what kind of contribution do you hope to make?
Ryotaro:
My goal is to enhance our client's competitive advantage through the power of technology. I believe that this will ultimately lead to social contribution. If the value of our clients' businesses increases through the use of technology, their competitors will likely move to catch up. If such transformation happens across industries, consumer convenience will increase and their choices will expand. I want to be involved in creating opportunities for more and better services to be introduced into society.
It is our mission to continue to provide comprehensive and consistent support so that our clients are always one step ahead of the competition.
Erika:
My primary goal is to envision and communicate a compelling vision of the future enabled by technology. Currently, I focus on supporting the implementation of Fujitsu's AI solutions for our clients. Recognizing that our current AI technology may not immediately solve every problem or fulfill every request, I aim to demonstrate both its present capabilities and its future potential. Beyond simply using AI for business efficiency, I want to guide clients towards a future where AI is fully integrated and utilized, outlining the necessary transformations along the way. By understanding their ultimate goals and prioritizing their challenges, I can chart the optimal path to success, aligning Wayfinders' support with their expectations and partnering with them on their journey.
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