Introducing PayPay to My Favorite Places! Enterprise Sales Proposals That Value the User’s Perspective

Welcome back to PayPay Professionals, featuring incredible experts that drive the PayPay group.
This time, we interviewed Suzuki-san, who works as an enterprise sales representative in the Sales Group, about the recent major project she was involved in, how rewarding her job is, and what she values in her work.

I Want to Introduce what I Think Is Great to the World. The Best Place to Do that Is PayPay.

Why and how did you decide to join PayPay?

I want to introduce products that I think are good to the world, so I have been working as a sales representative until now. After graduating, I joined an advertising agency, where I was engaged in web advertising for apparel companies and cosmetics manufacturers. After that, I changed jobs and worked in sales for one of Japan’s largest search and reservation websites for hair salons and relaxation & beauty salons, making proposals to hair salon owners to attract customers and open new salons.

I came across PayPay when I was looking for a job that would have more impact on society. At the time, the entire world was going through a difficult period due to Covid, but even under such circumstances, PayPay was growing at an overwhelmingly rapid pace, which I was attracted by and was sure that this would be the place where I can work on great things.

What is the mission and work of the Enterprise Sales Division?

The Enterprise Sales Division mainly handles major merchants that have stores over a wide area in Japan.
My team is in charge of merchants that enrich lifestyles, such as amusement facilities, travel agencies, vending machines, laundromats, and beauty salons. We work to get merchants to adopt PayPay services, and pitch promotion measures such as PayPay Coupons.

Introducing PayPay to My Favorite Places! Successful Negotiations Led by Conviction and Love

Can you share a particularly memorable project?

The project we implemented last year to introduce PayPay to the management company of a large amusement park was very memorable. I love large amusement parks and visit them often, but every time I took out a bulky wallet in the park, I felt inconvenienced as a user, wishing I could use PayPay to enjoy the park much more. Around that time, I found out that our sales representative responsible for large amusement parks would be changed, and I volunteered to take over the position.

When negotiating with amusement parks or the like, sometimes we are asked to become their sponsors. It took a long time to make arrangements that were acceptable to both internal and external parties, partly because we had little experience with this kind of business. However, we had lots of discussions, and finally succeeded in introducing PayPay.

During the negotiations, I gave specific examples from my experience as a user, saying, for instance, “When it’s crowded during Halloween or other seasonal events, it was difficult for me to pull out my wallet at the cash register. If I could use my smartphone to pay, I would feel very comfortable.” As a user, I was absolutely confident that PayPay is necessary. I’m sure my belief led the to the closing of the deal.

After introducing PayPay, we received a lot of positive feedback from users. I felt anew how tremendous PayPay’s impact is.

What makes working at PayPay enjoyable?

I can see the results of my work and feel that I have made an impact on society. For example, when I see users paying with PayPay at a merchant to which I introduced the service, or when I see the posters at stores, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I also feel fulfilled when I receive a better-than-expected response from merchants that held coupon promotions.

What is the team’s vibe like?

All members including the team leader work in a friendly atmosphere, respecting each other’s tasks. As we are good at different industries, we give advice to each other, valuing communication. When I have any problems, my colleagues offer immediate support, which allows me to work with confidence.

Have you ever felt you hit a wall after joining PayPay? If so, how did you overcome it?

It was my first experience of a remote work environment from day one, so I was a bit perplexed after I joined. I was worried about how to communicate with everyone because nobody was sitting next to me. Through on-the-job training, however, I was assigned a senior colleague who I could talk to in person, over the phone, and via Zoom, which resolved my concerns immediately.

Because we work remotely, everyone considers communication to be very important. Since we usually communicate with people in other departments in writing, I am conscious of writing from my recipients’ perspective. Within the team, we have a chat on Zoom before or after team meetings as well as see each other in person every few months, creating a harmonious and comfortable working environment.

Sales Without Complacency – Making Proposals from Users’ Perspective

What do you value in your role at PayPay?

When working in sales, it’s sometimes hard not to think only from your company’s perspective, but I value looking at things through the eyes of users and merchants. To do that, it is necessary to listen carefully to what they say. When we get closer, sometimes they would say, “I’m only telling you this because it’s you, but actually…” before speaking of something personal. Some stories I hear might not seem to be related to PayPay at first glance, but they might be an opportunity to find hidden needs.

I can also propose coupons or other promotions with confidence if I think they are really good from the user’s point of view. PayPay is an environment where we can clearly express our own opinions, so when I have even the slightest doubt, I always try to make a new proposal with no compromises.

Please tell us your goals and visions for the future!

As a salesperson, of course, but also as a general user, I find it inconvenient that PayPay is available at some places but not at other ones as I walk around town. I’m going to continue my sales activities, aiming for a world where PayPay can be used everywhere.

Having said that, I want to sell while preserving the individuality and brand of each facility without becoming complacent. As a user and a fan, I want to make suggestions that ensure PayPay contributes to visitors’ pleasant memories and does not spoil the atmosphere.

Lastly, a message for our readers please!

PayPay has a culture where each and every person is respected. Even if you are new, you can express your personal views, propose what you want to do, and take on challenges, respecting each other’s feelings. I’m sure this environment will make you grow a lot as a salesperson.

We also value diversity, so if your life stage changes but you want to continue to be a sales representative, you can still work with no problems. People from various backgrounds and a wide range of industries are fun to talk to, and small chats with them sometimes provide hints for sales work.

If there’s something you’d like to do at PayPay, we look forward to working with you!

*Job openings and employee affiliations are current as of the time of the interview.