This Professional Series takes a closer look at the PayPay Professionals, showcasing talented experts in the PayPay Group. We interviewed Tanaka-san and Takahashi-san, members of the project that aims to strengthen group synergy between PayPay and PayPay Card. We asked about the project’s objectives, contents, and difficulties.
Yuho Tanaka
IT Infrastructure Team, Corporate IT Department, System Division, PayPay Corporation
After graduating from college, I worked for a logistics company before making career changes to the IT industry. I was stationed at the customer support service, taking care of devices and kitting. Later, I became an technical account manager at a foreign company, supporting MDM operations. I joined the IT Infrastructure Team at PayPay in January this year and got seconded to PayPay Card in July.
Akino Takahashi
IT Support Group, Information System Department, System Division, Technology Group, PayPay Card Corporation
After graduating from a technical college, I returned to teach data processing and network, and supported students in obtaining qualifications. I then switched jobs and started working as an infrastructure system engineer and security operations engineer. I joined PayPay Card in March 2023.
Enhancing Group Collaboration through the Implementation of Common Tools for Both Companies
First of all, please tell us about your roles within your respective departments
Tanaka:
I work in the Corporate IT Infrastructure team at PayPay, where my primary responsibility is the operation of cloud products related to security. I handle everything from proposing secure cloud product solutions to supporting them after implementation, ensuring that everyone at PayPay can use them safely.
Takahashi:
I work in the IT Support Group in the Information System Department of PayPay Card, where I am mainly responsible for operating and managing the communication tools such as Zoom, Slack, and Box. My team manages new installations like we did in this project, feature updates, and version control.
Can you share the process that led you to your current position?
Tanaka:
I originally joined a logistics company as a new graduate and after witnessing the old fashioned work environment, I wanted to create an environment where people could work efficiently with IT. This is why I switched to the IT industry. From there, I started working in customer support service and supporting the operation of a client’s MDM. After that, I wanted to take on the challenge of improving the efficiency of internal operations and decided to join PayPay.
Takahashi:
After graduating from a technical school of information processing, I went back to my alma mater to teach for two years. There, I started wanting to know what it was like in the real world, so I moved on to an infrastructure-related company. For the first couple of years, I worked as an engineer. After that, for seven years, I handled the data network system autonomously. I joined PayPay Card because I felt the limits of growth, working in an environment where I am all by myself.
How was this collaboration project initiated?
Takahashi:
As PayPay Card became a subsidiary of PayPay, the need for smooth business collaboration was critical. However, both companies had to convert files and exchange them each time when necessary. This led to the installment of a collaboration tool and we decided that Google Workspace, Miro, and Figma would be the common tools.
Since PayPay was utilizing these three tools already, PayPay Card decided to newly adopt them with the support from PayPay.
Tanaka:
Soon after I joined the company in January 2023, I went on a business trip to PayPay Card’s Fukuoka headquarters, not knowing what to expect. I was asked to join this project soon after. I got the impression that this project was moving forward fast.
A Relationship Based on Learning Together, Respect, and Helping One Another
What were the most challenging aspects of this project?
Tanaka:
Initially, we considered using PayPay’s environment as a template, but we encountered issues due to the substantial history of PayPay Card as a company, causing a mismatch between their existing system and the PayPay model. Hence, we devoted our efforts to moving forward while taking into account the exiting environment and internal rules of PayPay Card, to ensure its continuity, rather than merely having them conform to the PayPay model. We were well aware that it was quite challenging for the PayPay Card team to implement these new tools, so it was always with a heavy heart that I would ask them their progress (laughs).
Takahashi:
As this involves the adoption of new tools, it required planning the steps from budget allocation to actually starting the project within PayPay Card. However, we had to stop other projects until the core system renewal project was completed, and we were only able to start this project about three months ago. Moreover, since we were undergoing significant changes in internal workflows, we had to proceed with care even for a single approval request, by seeking confirmation from all relevant stakeholders. So, the hardest part was when we were pushed into a situation where the building environment did not arrive until the last minute, and we could not proceed with the work before that.
Despite difficult circumstances, I understand it was necessary to proceed at a rapid pace. How did you manage?
Takahashi:
With the help of PayPay Card members and support members of PayPay, we pushed through to the end without giving up, even when we were pressured to our limits. I was able to persevere because I believed that this project would not only advance operational efficiency but also contribute to group synergy.
Tanaka:
It is an exceptional opportunity to learn about a long-established company, so I made an effort to learn from its strengths and provide suggestions without being pushy or imposing. For example, I felt that we could learn from how well-structured the rules and limitations were in PayPay Card, and how that was effectively communicated to all team members.
In addition, being new to PayPay, I was in the midst of familiarizing myself with both PayPay and PayPay Card. I believe it was beneficial that I could approach the work from a similar perspective as the PayPay Card team.
I Want to Contribute to Streamlining Operations and Speed Up the Company’s Growth
How is the situation now after implementing the changes?
Tanaka:
For PayPay, we’ve been wanting to share each other’s drives, so I’m glad we were able to release it. The time-consuming aspects of sharing have been eliminated, leading to increased operational efficiency. I strongly encourage individuals who engage with PayPay Card to make use of it. We also plan to release Miro and Figma in the future. We have also received many other comments from people who are looking forward to the synergy, so we hope you can look forward to it.
Takahashi:
We are surprised that more people are requesting to use the system than at the initial survey of prospective users. We’ve also heard that people are eagerly awaiting the release of more new tools, so it’s important to act promptly in order to provide these services as soon as possible.
When do you feel a sense of fulfillment?
Takahashi:
Since this tool is used within the company’s internal system, I get to see how colleagues are making use of it, and the most rewarding part is when they tell me directly that “This tool is easy to use.”
Tanaka:
I find a sense of accomplishment when the tool our team is responsible for receives good feedback on the internal IT survey. Since I am in charge of security tools, I feel that I was able to maintain security without interfering with business operations.
What do you value among the PayPay 5 Senses?
Tanaka:
I value the idea that “Ego is not welcome, Communication is necessary.” To ensure that we can work comfortably, I value opportunities for communication and listening carefully to what others have to say. We all come from different backgrounds at PayPay but many of us are sympathetic and affirming, and I’m glad that I joined.
Takahashi:
While each of the 5 Senses are indispensable, I think “Be sincere to be professional” is the most important to me. I place great importance on “Creat[ing] opportunities and new values on our own with integrity and work through to the end.”
I believe I can contribute to PayPay users, my team, and the company by understanding the objectives, focusing on uncompromising efforts, and communicating with team members, all with speed.
Tell us what you hope to accomplish in the future!
Takahashi:
The real beginning starts after introducing the system; from here, we proceed to making it useful for the users. I believe we will adopt more tools that are shared with PayPay in the future, so I’d like to make use of the experience of participating in this fast-paced project to respond with more speed next time!
Tanaka:
I was attracted to PayPay’s fast-paced environment when I joined, but I was nonetheless often puzzled by the speed of this project. I look forward to continue working in this high-speed work environment, strive to improve operational efficiency, and keep creating synergy with PayPay Card!
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*Recruitment status and employee affiliations are correct at the time of the interview.
