Chapter 244: The Fifth Partner

Masayoshi Kishimoto sat inside a coffee shop and directly ordered two cups of Blue Mountain coffee. One coffee was for himself, and the other coffee was for Natsume Ryosuke.

The reason they were sitting here was because Natsume Ryosuke had decided to quit his job as the editor-in-chief of the editorial section of a small newspaper, and then accepted Kishimoto Masayoshi’s invitation.

When Masayoshi Kishimoto extended his right hand to the other party, he said the words “Welcome to the Hard Gold Group”, which meant that he was treating Ryosuke Natsume as his partner.

There was no doubt that Natsume Ryosuke was a member of Japan’s social elite. Whether it was his undergraduate degree from Hitotsubashi University or his former job as a press officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he had already proved his worth. What he lacked was not only luck, but also the ability to truly appreciate his talent.

“Am I able to ask you a personal question?” Justice Kishimoto wasn’t interviewing him, it was just a casual conversation. His own interview with him had ended during the editorial class of the small newspaper.

If Natsume Ryousuke had remained hesitant and undecided at that point, then he would have lost an extremely rare and wonderful opportunity in his life. In Masayoshi Kishimoto’s opinion, an indecisive man was not worthy of being entrusted with important responsibilities and a high position.

Natsume Ryosuke faced his boss and sat upright, “Please.”

“Don’t be nervous. Are you married?” Masayoshi Kishimoto just casually asked.

“No. I currently don’t even have a girlfriend yet.” Natsume Ryosuke said matter-of-factly.

“I’m not married either. However, I do have a girlfriend myself. You can completely put your heart in the right place, our Hard Gold Group is not that kind of extremely traditional company in Japan.”

Masayoshi Kishimoto knew that before the Japanese bubble economy burst in the late eighties, Japanese companies, especially large companies, had a personal condition attached to the promotion of their employees, which was that they needed to get married early.

In their view, a man who was not married lacked a sense of responsibility. To be promoted, a regular employee must first get married and start a family.

Witnesses or officiators or whatever are often the leaders of the company they work for. So, at that time, dating became one of the most popular, efficient and fastest ways to get married.

Another group of people who don’t want to be promoted will indulge themselves and have fun after work. A life of pleasure was sought after by them.

It was also a time when the Japanese had a strong sense of national self-confidence and pride. They were proud to be Japanese nationals.

“It is an honor for me to be able to have this opportunity to join the Hard Gold Group.” Natsume Ryosuke originally thought that his career would end completely, after all, he was already a 35 year old man.

After all, he was already 35 years old. Nowadays, the most important thing in his head was to eat and drink and wait for death. If he could really get ahead, he would usually do so at the age of 27 or 28. At that time, he really did.

However, fate is something that is always puzzling. When he was in the midst of his own success, he made a fatal mistake and had to resign from his post as a press officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just a year ago.

Instead of being forced to resign, it would have been more honorable to resign of his own accord. Originally, he had no more pursuits in his career, but now, like a resurgence, he gradually began to burn. He had hope and motivation.

“Do you have any good ideas and plans?” Justice Kishimoto asked calmly.

“It’s still important to vigorously raise the company’s popularity, so that more and more people know that the Hard Gold Group isn’t some small playful company, but rather the first reaction after hearing about it is to know that it’s a big company, just like Panasonic.

With the popularity, then the benefits will follow. In the recruitment of talent above, without much lip service can make job seekers rush.

One of the things that happened at Panasonic was a mistake in the test scores, which resulted in the elimination of a person who had been accepted. As a result, it led to that person’s suicide.

Why was there such a tragedy? It was not because that person regarded entering Panasonic as the goal of success in life. If it was not valued in that person’s heart and was dispensable, he would never have done something as extreme as that.” Ryosuke Natsume spoke eloquently.

“I am aware of this one thing you said. Konosuke Matsushita once commented on this one thing as well. His definition was that it was fortunate that Matsushita did not admit this person.

He couldn’t stand it and committed suicide because of such a minor setback. How could the company dare to entrust important positions or important matters to such a person?” Justice Kishimoto said without haste.

“The benefit of increased visibility also lies in the fact that more companies can come forward to seek cooperation in the future, and will not be mistaken by others to think that the Hard Gold Group is a company with little power.

One of the things I need to do is to try to spend the least amount of publicity expenses, and then maximize the company’s popularity.

Although there is no direct output of any benefit, the brand value of the company is enhanced. The brand value of any company also belongs to intangible assets, which completely helps its own future development.” Natsume Ryosuke said as he shared some of his current rough opinions.

“I can leave such an important department in your hands in the future. Whether it’s raising the company’s popularity, or removing any negative news that’s unfavorable to the company, etc., it’s all in your hands, Publicity Department.

You are the mouth of our Hard Gold Group. In addition, you also need to strengthen the internal publicity of the company’s correct values to unite people, sense of belonging and centripetal force.

Only in the case of unity of thought, people can really do the force to a make. The result of the lack of unity of thought is to do their own thing.

Internal conflict and infighting is inevitable. This is also something I do not wish to see, after all, the easiest place for a fortress to be breached is not on the outside, but on the inside.” Masayoshi Kishimoto spoke bluntly.

Natsume Ryosuke cut through the Chairman’s emphasis on the Propaganda Department saying, “I will definitely not let you down on your trust in me.”

“What I want is not your vote in front of me, but to see your actual actions in the future.” Justice Kishimoto was very pragmatic, saying.

“Then I’ll come to the Hard Gold Group’s Personnel Department tomorrow morning for a check-in.” Natsume Ryosuke said urgently.

“There’s no need to rush. I can give you three more days so that you can have a proper self-adjustment. You’ve just resigned from the newspaper, so your heart and mind still need an adjustment process.

Our company is different from a newspaper. Not only that, it’s also completely different from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where you used to work.” Masayoshi Kishimoto was in no hurry to say.

Natsume Ryosuke placed his hands on his left and right thighs, and seriously bowed deeply towards the other party, “In the future, I’ll have to ask for your care.”