Embracing Omotenashi at ioet

おもてなし
"Omotenashi is about creating a connection between people, anticipating needs, and going above and beyond expectations."
ioet's Engineering Team

A troubled journey path with a client

Onboarding
Unclear expectations, overwhelming information, and a lack of personal connection
Ongoing Engagement
Reactive problem-solving or inconsistent support
Project Completion
Missed opportunities or a lack of closure

Without Omotenashi, some client journey can be fraught with misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and a lack of closure.

Understanding Omotenashi

お持て成し
O-mote-nashi
"O" (polite prefix) + "Motenashi" (hospitality)
モノを持って成し遂げる
Mono wo motte nashi togeru
Accomplish with things

Another interpretation of "Motenashi" (もてなし):

表裏なし

"Without front and back"

Welcoming guests with a heart that has no hidden side

"Omotenashi embodies the idea of anticipating and fulfilling people's needs in advance, with a sincere, open heart."

For Clients

Anticipating needs, creating emotional connections, and becoming an indispensable partner.

Internally

Fostering mutual respect, support, and a culture of excellence and empathy.

Implementing Omotenashi

To make Omotenashi a reality at ioet, we're focusing on five key areas

Omotenashi Champions

Ambassadors in each team who embody and promote Omotenashi principles. They facilitate the adoption of Omotenashi practices and ensure it remains at the forefront of our interactions.

Knowledge Base

A shared repository of best practices, experiences, and strategies. This living document allows us to learn from each other and consistently improve our Omotenashi efforts.

Client Intelligence

Gathering and effectively using client information to personalize our services and anticipate needs.

Training

Ongoing workshops and experiential learning to help everyone understand and practice Omotenashi.

Continuous Reflection

Regular assessment and refinement of our Omotenashi practices.

Omotenashi in Action

Proactive Communication

Responding promptly to client messages, even outside work hours, with acknowledgment and clear next steps.

Personal Connections

Creating genuine relationships through meaningful small talk, shared interests and remembering personal details about clients and teammates.

Anticipating Needs - Always Be Selling

Proactively identifying potential challenges or opportunities for clients and suggesting solutions before they're requested.

Beyond Client Work

Applying Omotenashi principles to internal interactions, such as peer support, mentorship, and team collaboration.

The Omotenashi Journey

Onboarding
Creating a welcoming first impression and setting clear expectations
Ongoing Engagement
Anticipating needs, providing proactive support, and deepening relationships
Project Completion
Ensuring lasting positive memories and setting the stage for future engagements
Continuous cycle of engagement

If we apply Omotenashi in our client relationships, the journey emphasizes the continuous cycle of engagement, ensuring we consistently deliver exceptional experiences throughout our client relationships.

The Omotenashi Impact

By embracing Omotenashi, we create:

Unparalleled Client Experiences

Becoming the indispensable partner our clients can't imagine working without.

Exceptional Team Culture

Fostering an environment where every team member feels valued and inspired.

Sustainable Growth

Driving business success through deep, lasting relationships and word-of-mouth advocacy.

Personal Fulfillment

Finding joy and purpose in our work, knowing we're making a positive impact on others.

Next up:

ioet Houses