Mr. S. O. joined AMCON INC. with “absolutely no knowledge” of sludge or dewatering presses. Today, he is thriving as a young sales representative responsible for the Kansai, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions. He spoke about his sales style of “thinking and acting independently,” including how his direct proposal to an end user evolved into a new company initiative.

What Convinced Me Was Thinking, ‘This Looks Interesting,’ Even Without Industry Experience

Q. Please tell us why you joined AMCON INC. and what concerns you had before joining.

When searching for a new job, I was not particular about the industry. My two main criteria were that it be a sales position and that I could test my abilities at a company with a global presence. When I learned about AMCON INC., I honestly had no knowledge at all about sludge or dewatering presses, but I was attracted by the opportunity to engage in proposal-based sales focused on solving customer issues rather than routine route sales, which led me to join the company.
To be honest, I was concerned about whether I could catch up on industry knowledge. However, after joining, I found that the company provided an environment where I could learn through on-the-job training and regularly meet with my mentor to resolve any questions, so those concerns quickly disappeared.

Think and Act Independently: Large Responsibility Makes the Work Enjoyable

Q. Please tell us about your current work and the atmosphere of your team.

I am responsible for the Kansai, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions, and I spend between one-third and two-thirds of each month traveling to visit customers. In some cases, I work with plant engineering companies to make sales, while in others I directly hear about end users’ challenges, propose the most suitable solutions, and handle the process through closing.
Within the company, I prepare quotations and proposal materials, plan business trips, and independently determine how to conduct sales activities, including which customers to approach and what proposals to make.
The Sales & Marketing Department in Japan has a highly results-oriented and team-driven atmosphere. While individuals are given significant responsibility, there is a culture of working together with supervisors and members of related departments to pursue the best solutions for projects as a team. It is easy to consult with supervisors, creating an environment where you can act independently without having to carry everything on your own.

People Who Succeed Have Initiative and a Problem-Solving Mindset

Q. What kind of people do you think can succeed at AMCON INC.?

One type is people with initiative. Because individuals are given significant responsibility, those who can think and act on their own can fully demonstrate their abilities. Rather than waiting for instructions, people who can form their own hypotheses, take action, and move things forward while involving supervisors and colleagues are well suited to this environment.
Another type is people with a problem-solving mindset. Rather than ‘just selling,’ they approach business discussions with an awareness of what customers are struggling with and what they value. I believe that attitude leads to becoming a sales professional who remains valuable to customers over the long term. Looking at other departments as well, the people who succeed at AMCON INC. are those who proactively express ideas about what they want to achieve and continuously create change while involving those around them.

Creating New Sales Channels and Accelerating Company Growth

Q. Please tell us about your future goals and challenges you would like to take on.

I would like to create a system that generates orders through new channels, such as leasing companies and partner companies. As the number of sales routes increases, the overall scale of the company’s sales will also grow. My current goal is to contribute to the company’s growth by developing new sales channels.