Employee Feature: Q&A with Hayato Osawa, Sales Executive, Asia Pacific & Japan

Meet Hayato Osawa, a sales executive on our Asia Pacific and Japan team and the first Copperleaf™ employee in Japan! Find out how his professional journey led him to Copperleaf, his experience working here, and some of the highlights from his first year on the job.

What is your role and what do you do?

I am responsible for advancing opportunities and managing sales in Japan. I began working at Copperleaf in January of 2019. At the time, Copperleaf was in the very early stages of entering the Japanese market and was looking to develop its brand presence in the region. I was brought on board to help build a strong sales pipeline and ensure that the region’s growth and success falls in line with Copperleaf’s overall global sales strategy. My focus is on establishing and expanding relationships with clients, industry prospects, regulators, and governmental organizations such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). I also represent the company at regional trade shows and conferences to help promote our software solutions to prospects.

 Can you tell us a bit about what makes the Japanese market unique? 

Japanese business culture is very unique and it can be difficult for foreign businesses looking to establish themselves in this market. Having been born and raised in Japan, I bring knowledge of Japanese business etiquette and nuances, and an understanding of how business processes and expectations might be different from organizations in other parts of the world. I think this will really help Copperleaf build strong relationships in the region.

What is your professional background like?

I have over 15 years of international experience in enterprise software sales, with a specialization in the semiconductor, industrial embedded software, oil and gas, and chemical sectors. I also completed an MBA at GLOBIS University in Tokyo in 2012.

How did you hear about Copperleaf? Why did you want to work here?

I was introduced to Copperleaf through a recruiting company. The recruiter explained how Copperleaf’s decision analytics software helps utilities and organizations managing critical infrastructure make investment decisions with confidence, and that piqued my interest.

In Japan, the majority of infrastructure was built in 1964 for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo and is now in need of investment. We also have a huge population—128 million people—living in very dense cities, that rely on this infrastructure. Many organizations are faced with the challenge of how to spend their limited budgets and resources to sustain and expand this infrastructure for today and into the future. There is a huge opportunity to help companies improve their investment planning processes, and I believe our product can make a huge difference in the energy industry.

What is your favorite part about working with Copperleaf?

My favorite part is communicating with and getting to know people at all levels of the company, from entry-level employees to the executive team. Everyone has been very friendly and supportive in helping me learn about the solutions we offer and how we can really deliver value to our clients and make them successful.

It was also really exciting for me to lead the launch event in July where we celebrated the incorporation of Copperleaf as a business entity in Japan. I had the opportunity to work with the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo to plan a traditional Japanese “Kagami-Wari” ceremony to commemorate the occasion.

How do your team members support you as a remote employee?

When I run into challenges or want to talk through a new idea, I can quickly and easily discuss it with my team members over the phone or using our web conferencing system. If there’s an important meeting, our global team is enthusiastic about coming to Japan to have face-to-face meetings with our clients, prospects, and partners. Overall, I feel there is strong synergy and support from my team and the company overall.

How would you describe the company culture in five words?

Client-centric

Tight internal collaboration

Friendly!

What are you looking forward to in the next year?

I’m working on closing a sales opportunity with a large electric utility in Japan. They will make a great reference client and help us develop even more opportunities in the region.

Do you have any hobbies or secret talents?

I coach an under 8 girls’ soccer team. They have a lot of potential, and I enjoy seeing them improve their skills and get better and better every season!

As a fast-growing global software company, Copperleaf is always looking for talented individuals to join our team! Check out our current job openings here.