uSonar to Host Special Lecture by Waseda Business School Professor Akiie Iriyama; TOPPAN and Two Other Companies to Speak on 2025 DX Strategy

uSonar Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Nami Fukutomi; President: Katsuhito Nagatake; hereinafter "uSonar") is pleased to announce that it will hold the "1st DX Forum Accelerated by Data" on Tuesday, December 10.
The event will feature a special lecture by Akiie Iriyama, a professor at Waseda Business School and author of numerous books including "World-Standard Management Theory," followed by a discussion with uSonar President Nagatake.
Furthermore, the program includes a panel discussion featuring three uSonar user companies, including TOPPAN Holdings Inc., as well as presentations on new features by our sales managers.

*Registration for new applicants is now closed.

DX Forum Accelerated by Data: Special Lecture by Akiie Iriyama
https://usonar.co.jp/seminar/20241210_821.html

Six years have passed since the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released the "DX Report: Overcoming the '2025 Cliff' in IT Systems and Full-Scale Development of DX," and the 2025 cliff is now imminent.
Over these six years, the term "DX" has become widely recognized, and many companies have invested in IT tools and talent. However, it is likely that only a small number of companies feel they have achieved satisfactory transformation.

In this forum, we will introduce DX initiatives from various companies and invite experts to provide participants with the latest trends and advanced knowledge regarding DX.

Recommended for Those Facing the Following Challenges:
・Those facing challenges with their DX initiatives
・Those who wish to learn about or exchange information on successful case studies from other companies
・Those interested in the latest information and case studies

1. Special Lecture: Professor Akiie Iriyama, Waseda Business School
The Importance of Data in DX Strategy

Professor, Waseda Business School
Graduate School of Business and Finance, Waseda University
Mr. Akiie Iriyama

Biography
Graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Keio University and completed his master's degree at the Graduate School of Economics at the same university. After working at Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc., where he was primarily engaged in research and consulting for automotive manufacturers and domestic and international government agencies, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business in 2008. In the same year, he became an Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Management, State University of New York. He became an Associate Professor at Waseda Business School, Waseda University in 2013, and has been a Professor since 2019. His area of expertise is management studies.

He has published numerous papers in major international academic journals such as the Strategic Management Journal. His books include World-Standard Management Theory (Diamond, Inc.), What Are the World's Management Scholars Thinking Now? (Eiji Press), and Cutting-Edge Management Theory Not Taught in Business Schools (Nikkei BP), among others. He is also actively involved in disseminating information through various media outlets.

2. Dialogue: Professor Iriyama x uSonar President Nagatake
What Is Necessary to Become a Data-Driven Organization

uSonar Co., Ltd.
President and Representative Director, Katsuhito Nagatake

Biography
Joined uSonar Co., Ltd. as a new graduate in 2000. After working in roles such as sales planning, he was appointed Executive Officer of the Sales Division Planning Group in July 2014. He became President and Representative Director in February 2019. He oversees the entire Sales Division and promotes customer success and marketing projects. Since taking office as President, he has grown uSonar's revenue by 260% over five years. He actively participates in various meetings and events, building a network with over 1,000 executives and corporate leaders annually, and continues to conduct over 500 business negotiations per year. He continues to share the know-how that rapidly grew his company's revenue through data-driven sales and marketing activities not only with his own sales team but also with partners and clients.

3. User Company Panel Discussion
Sales DX Realized Through uSonar Services
Speaker Introduction

Takara standard Co., Ltd.
Manager, Structural Reform & DX Promotion Office and Sales Division, Ms. Sayuri Niimi

Joined Takara standard Co., Ltd. in 2018. After working in website operations, she joined the SFA implementation project in the sales department in 2019. As a core member, she led the construction and adoption of the SFA. In August 2023, she won the Large Enterprise Category at the National Salesforce Champion Tournament 2023, where user companies compete on their Salesforce utilization cases. In April 2024, she became a member of the newly established organization directly under the President, the Structural Reform & DX Promotion Office. She is engaged in company-wide DX and data utilization initiatives, including not only SFA utilization but also exploring new areas using CRM and collaborating with production and logistics sectors.

TOPPAN Holdings Inc.
General Manager, Information Empowerment Team, Management Infrastructure Reform Department, Corporate Planning Division, Mr. Tomohiro Uchida

After joining Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (currently TOPPAN Holdings Inc.), he worked in the sales department, managing accounts for major automotive manufacturers and advertising agencies. Upon being seconded to BrandXing Inc., he transferred to the planning and development department, where he was responsible for formulating and supporting CRM strategies for clients. After returning to Toppan Printing, he focused on formulating and supporting digital marketing strategies for clients while promoting B2B digital marketing within his own department. Since 2019, he has held a concurrent position in the Corporate Planning Division, driving the company-wide expansion of B2B digital marketing. Since 2023, he has been dedicated full-time to the Corporate Planning Division, where he is currently promoting data-driven management across the entire Toppan Group.

USEN ICT Solutions CORPORATION (U-NEXT HOLDINGS)
Executive Officer, General Manager of Inside Sales, Mr. Eikichi Sumiya

After graduating from university, he worked in electrical equipment sales and managed department store retail operations for imported stationery brands before joining a human resources firm. During this time, he was assigned to handle telemarketing operations for the USEN GATE02 corporate internet service provided by Wire and Broadband Network Co., Ltd. (later renamed USEN Corporation, currently U-NEXT HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.). In 2003, he shifted his focus to inside sales, managing the entire contract acquisition process exclusively via phone, email, and fax. He subsequently joined USEN Corporation. Currently, at USEN ICT Solutions CORPORATION, which inherited the ICT business through a company split, he continues to rethink the role of inside sales, focusing on evolution and transformation to meet the needs of the times.

[Facilitator] uSonar Co., Ltd.
Executive Officer, DX Group, Sales Division, Masafumi Yuasa

Joined uSonar Co., Ltd. in 2005. For over 15 years, he has been engaged in solving various business challenges through corporate sales. He also speaks at various seminars and events regarding the key points of building, maintaining, and utilizing customer databases, which serve as the foundation for B2B marketing. He was appointed Executive Officer of the DX Group, Sales Division, in October 2018.

4. [From uSonar: Introduction of New Features]

【講師】ユーソナー株式会社
営業本部 広域グループ マネージャー　木全 修一

Joined uSonar Co., Ltd. in 2018. He specializes primarily in the manufacturing industry, including machinery and food, and is engaged in proposing solutions for streamlining sales activities and integrating and utilizing internal customer data, focusing mainly on large enterprises. He was appointed Manager of the Wide Area Group, Sales Division, in May 2024.

[Instructor] uSonar Co., Ltd.
Manager, Planning Group, Sales Division, Taku Fujisawa

Joined uSonar Co., Ltd. in 2018. From an early stage in his career, he has been actively involved in large-scale projects, building accounts with major companies across various industries. Currently, as a manager, he leads multiple team members and is dedicated to promoting DX for client companies.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Lunch and beverages will be provided)
Target Audience: B2B Companies (Executives Only)
Organizer: uSonar Co., Ltd.
Venue: Hotel in Tokyo