This article is the entry for day 12 of the KINTO Technologies Advent Calendar 2024 🎅🎄

Hi, I’m Nakanishi from the Manabi-no-Michi-no-Eki (Learning Roadside Station) team. This year, the Learning Roadside Station project was officially launched and structured as an organization. As part of our initiatives, we also run an in-house podcast, and for this year’s Advent Calendar, we’d like to share more about it.

What is Manabi-no-Michi-no-Eki (The Learning Roadside Station)

It's a project aimed at making the in-house study sessions, which are frequently held, more accessible and effective. The initiative is led by passionate volunteers within the company, with the goal of supporting study sessions and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing across the organization.

Joint Study Group

For the first episode of the Learning Roadside Station Podcast, we interviewed the organizing members Asahi-san, Kiyuno-san, and Rina-san about a joint study session held within the company. In this podcast, we discussed in detail the background and purpose of the study sessions, key aspects of their management, and future plans.

Interview

HOKA-san (interviewer): First, could you tell us how the Learning Roadside Station project started?

HOKA-san:

This project was launched to further promote a positive learning culture within the company. It all started when Kageyama-san and several others came together to create a system to support in-house study sessions.

HOKA-san: Can you tell us more about the background and purpose of the Joint Study Group?

Asahi-san: During the new employee orientation, I realized that there were few opportunities to learn about information related to other systems. That’s when I felt the need for a dedicated space to catch up on the latest information, which led to the launch of the Joint Study Group.

HOKA-san: What are some of the key aspects you focus on when organizing study sessions?

Rina-san: We aim to share the latest information about other systems and products to provide a broader range of knowledge. Additionally, to increase participation, we make sure to thoroughly prepare in advance, and the organizing team members themselves are actively involved.

HOKA-san: What were the results and feedback from the first study session?

Kiyuno-san: Initially, we expected around 34 participants, but in the end, we had about 80 attendees, including those who joined via Zoom. We received a lot of positive feedback, such as being able to connect with colleagues they don’t usually interact with and getting access to the latest updates on other products.

HOKA-san: How do you plan to continue the study sessions, and what are your future initiatives?

Asahi-san: Moving forward, we plan to create thematic discussion sessions and networking opportunities based on job roles, so that more employees can participate easily.

Rina-san: We have already decided on the next speaker, and we are committed to continuing these sessions regularly. Additionally, we will work on enhancing information sharing both internally and externally.

HOKA-san: What is the purpose of promoting the Learning Roadside Station Project outside the company?

Rina-san: By sharing information externally, we hope to attract more participants both inside and outside the company. Through this, we aim to foster a stronger learning culture within the company.

Hoka-san: Lastly, how do you feel after this interview?

Asahi-san: I gained a new perspective by experiencing both the participant’s and the organizer’s viewpoints. Being on the organizing side made me realize the importance and significance of these events, and it strengthened my motivation to make them even better.

Kiyuno-san: Until now, I had only attended via Zoom, but by taking on a role in the organizing team, I realized how valuable audience reactions and comments are. I would like to continue actively participating in these sessions in the future.

Summary

The goal of the Learning Roadside Station project is not just to provide a space for study sessions, but to enrich the company culture through interaction and knowledge sharing among employees. By continuously holding study sessions and enhancing communication efforts, we aim to create an environment where more employees can participate, learn from each other, and grow together. This will contribute to ultimately improve overall skills and foster a strong sense of unity within the company.

In this article, we shared the details of the Joint Study Group, the background of its operations, and future plans. Please look forward to the next study session!