Employee Interview - Ahmad Azrie -
For people of all nationalities and cultures, of all talents and perspectives, there is an understanding environment where you can express your individuality.
Technology Group II, Engineering Department, Option Business Department, Automotive OEM Business Division
Joined JVCKENWOOD in 2014 after four years at a Japanese university and two years in graduate school.
Currently responsible for design and evaluation of car navigation unit parts in the division handling the construction, design, and development of car navigation systems.
I came to Japan because I was impressed by its high technology and quality.
I was in junior high school when I first started wanting to study abroad and work in Japan. I visited Tokyo on a family trip and saw the cutting-edge technologies in their electronics products. They had diverse functions yet a high degree of precision. I was moved by Japan's global reputation for quality. That was when I started to feel strongly that I wanted to study Japanese craftsmanship and technology.
When it was decided that I would join JVCKENWOOD, I had to get a working visa and go through a lot of red tape, but the company had a solid support system in place and everything went smoothly. I've talked to my friends from outside Japan about their experiences with the employment system, and it reinforced my impression of how good our system is in terms of support and period of stay.
What's important is to have accurate information.
That's Japanese working culture as I have learned and experienced it firsthand.
Once I joined the company, my first real hardship was getting used to Japanese working culture. In contrast to Malaysia, Japan demands accuracy and perfection in all operations from start to finish. For that reason, I made accuracy of information my first priority. Since even a tiny miscommunication can negatively affect work quality, I try to avoid statements like “I heard from...” or “It seems like...” as they can be unreliable. And when there's something I don't know, I try to confirm it firsthand by talking to the people involved or reading any relevant materials.
I'm currently responsible for designing and evaluating the parts of DOP (dealer option products) car navigation system for domestic automakers, and the important thing is quality. Especially when it comes to design, I try to keep the concept of QCD (quality, cost, delivery) in mind as I work. It's difficult to design parts that are immune to problems, but when I remember that we're designing real things that our customers will actually see and touch, the work becomes interesting and I really see its true value.
Diversity is present in the ability to understand other cultures.
I'm a Muslim, and so I need a place to pray. The surprising thing is that I never had to bring this up; before I even joined the company, I was asked about it by someone in Human Resources. I also fast for a month at a time, and when I do, my coworkers all ask after my energy and health, and even follow up with me about my work. I'm truly happy to have ended up at such an understanding company that accommodates other cultures and their customs, even ones that are unfamiliar to Japan.
It's not just culture; JVCKENWOOD's appeal also lies in its open workplace atmosphere. My division is a comfortable environment where anyone, regardless of their work history or nationality, can express their opinions freely, where they will be asked to share their design ideas, and where people will really listen when they do. In an environment like this, everyone can express their individuality in their work, which means you can interact with people who have lots of new and different values and ways of thinking.
A good work-life balance is the starting point.
I think that what's necessary for JVCKENWOOD to keep growing is an environment where everyone can express their individuality and reach their full potential, and a work-life balance is important in order for people to be able to express their individuality.
I think that I've struck a good balance. Now, I can do my job the way I want, and when the weekend rolls around, I can take a lot of time for myself. One thing I look forward to recently is taking photo walks in the old part of town, which is a hobby of mine.
Someday, I want my craftsmanship to be a bridge between Japan and Malaysia.
Right now I'm still in the process of learning Japanese technologies, but in the future, I want my craftsmanship to be useful and to bring happiness to people not only in my home country of Malaysia but all over the world. As a designer, I want to put technology to work and make products that meet the needs of the era. Ultimately, I want to contribute to Malaysia's development as well.
* Job titles and affiliations are as of publication time.
