ShapeWin’s Fully Remote Work Environment Increases Job Applications Sevenfold
( This article is a translation of a Press Release. Original Japanese publication here )
TOKYO, Japan – ShapeWin, a public relations and digital marketing agency, received the “Ministry of Affairs and Communications Remote Work Top Runner 2023” from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Awards.
Official Website: https://www.shapewin.co.jp/en/
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (Japanese): https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01ryutsu06_02000373.html
The Minister of Internal Affairs Remote Work Top Runner 2023 is an award presented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) to companies and organizations that have improved productivity and reduced employee turnover through remote work benefits. The ministry hosts its award show, and ShapeWin is being honored this year for its outstanding efforts in contributing to remote working.
The award was selected after a comprehensive review by outside experts and others based on factors such as the percentage of remote working employees, communication and management measures, and efforts to promote regional development.
ShapeWin’s Remote Work Initiatives and Results
ShapeWin introduced a remote work system in 2020 to enable employees to work in a way that suited their lifestyles without having to give up their careers due to various life or environmental changes. Prior to embracing a fully remote work environment, the company followed the traditional Japanese work system which prioritized office attendance, but now all ShapeWin employees are allowed to work in the environment they desire, without being restricted by location.
In order to eliminate the communication gap in remote work, ShapeWin has taken various measures to promote smooth relationship building between supervisors and peers.These include prioritizing quality results over hours, holding regular information sharing meetings, implementing online events to revitalize the organization and the digitization of assignments.An internal survey conducted after the introduction of remote work showed that all employees responded positively to the company’s remote initiatives, and the turnover rate, which was about 80 per cent before the introduction of remote work, decreased to about 14 per cent. Moreover, in 2022, after the introduction of remote working, the number of job applications increased seven-fold compared to before. ShapeWin’s team have continued to improve sales and the quality of its services while operating remotely.
ShapeWin President Yusuke Kamimura commented on remote work:
“The introduction of remote working has reaped benefits in terms of both securing talented human resources and business growth. Not only have we recruited talented specialists from across Japan and Canada, but we have also increased the satisfaction and productivity of our Tokyo-based employees. We have been able to build online relationships with clients around the world, enabling us to diversify our streams of income across Europe, North America, Asia, and Japan and achieve stable growth that is not solely dependent on domestic sales. We believe that remote work is not just a perk, but an essential means for continued growth, and we intend to continue actively utilizing it in the future.”
What is a “Remote Work Top Runner”?
In order to promote the spread of remote work environments, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been selecting and promoting companies and organizations that are implementing remote policies, and have demonstrated effective results. This year, amidst a growing number of companies utilizing remote work environments, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has selected candidates that have not only introduced remote work systems and achieved positive results, but have also implemented initiatives that contribute to solving regional issues. These include demonstrating management effectiveness through the use of remote work, solving communication problems, revitalizing regional industries, promoting regional information and increasing business success.
Six companies, including ShapeWin, will be awarded the “Remote Work Top Runner 2023 Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award” in a special ceremony for outstanding efforts in utilizing remote working. An additional 20 companies will receive an honorary award.
*”Remote Work Top Runner 2023″ website (Japanese): https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01ryutsu06_02000373.html
ShapeWin’s Current Awards:
- Awarded “Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award for Telework Promotion Company (Shining Remote Work Award)” in 2022, Special Encouragement Award.
- Selected as one of Japan’s “100 Remote Work Pioneers by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications” in 2022.
- Awarded the Promotion Award in the 3rd TOKYO Remote Work Award in 2022.
- Awarded the “White Company” certification (*Upgraded from Gold to Platinum certification)
- Judge’s Award, 4th WOMAN’s VALUE AWARD
- Top Vancouver PR Company 2023 (Clutch)
- Outstanding Leadership Award (Marketing 2.0 conference 2023 in Las Vegas)