A Gaze Toward Others Is the Driving Force Behind Everything: Perspectives from the Accounting Team in the Hokuriku Area
From newly formed teams to seasoned ones, “Up Close with the Team” introduces the different viewpoints that guide how each team works.
Featured this time are members of the Accounting Department for the Niigata–Hokuriku Area at Seven-Eleven Japan. Although their two district offices are located far apart—spanning roughly 500 kilometers across the region—they work together as a single team to support franchise stores.
What perspectives are needed for a team to function effectively despite the distance?
We spoke with the members of the team to find out.
Working Not for Ourselves, but for Others
"Our role is to provide a full range of accounting and bookkeeping services for franchise stores, so that the owners who have joined Seven-Eleven Japan can focus on running their businesses. Every day, we review the ledgers sent in by franchise stores, and if we notice anything that raises even the slightest concern, we follow up and confirm the details right away. We believe that this steady accumulation of careful checks ultimately supports the sound and sustainable operation of our franchise stores."
These words come from Asano, the Accounting Manager who oversees the Niigata–Hokuriku Zone as part of the accounting department. He began his career in Aichi Prefecture as an OFC*, later transferring to the accounting department. After taking charge of the Niigata–Hokuriku area in 2018, he spent some time working in another region before returning in the summer of 2024 as the Accounting Manager for this area once again.
Supporting franchise owners and OFCs from the accounting department—this mindset was shaped by an experience Asano had during his time working as an OFC.
*OFC (Operations Field Counselor): A company employee who provides management counseling and support to franchise owners of 7-Eleven stores.
Asano
At the time, I believed I was communicating closely with the owner, yet we ultimately failed to achieve the store’s target profit, which was a major point of reflection for me. Looking back, if I had possessed accounting knowledge and had been able to properly grasp the flow of money, it might have been possible to prevent it. I never wanted anyone else to go through the same experience, and that’s what led me to begin pursuing a career focused on gaining expertise in accounting.
Supporting franchise owners and OFCs with accounting knowledge, so that they can focus on running their stores with peace of mind.
This spirit of caring for others has also been carried into the way Asano now manages the team at the district offices in the Niigata–Hokuriku area that he oversees.
Asano
What I value most within my team right now is that each member continues to take on challenges as we move toward the goals our organization aims to achieve.
When we are immersed in our daily work, it’s easy to focus only on the tasks directly in front of us. That’s why I encourage everyone to first think about how the meaning and purpose of their work connect to the responsibilities of the company and the department. I also ask them to reflect on why they take action, and how their own work affects the people around them.
At its core is a spirit of altruism—a mindset of acting for the benefit of others.
How has Asano’s perspective influenced the team?
We spoke with four members to hear about the changes they have experienced.
Always Thinking from the Other Person’s Perspective
"We’ve come to feel that our manager is much closer to us than before," say Kosakai and Tambo, who both serve as assistant managers at the district offices in the Niigata–Hokuriku area.
Kosakai
When Asano returned to the Niigata–Hokuriku area, I was struggling with how to manage the distance between myself and the related departments and team members. He noticed what I was going through and immediately offered to talk and help me think things through.
Tambo
It’s not just us assistant managers—Asano really takes the time to engage with each and every member of the team.
The goal of accounting is to deliver accurate bookkeeping services to our franchise owners, while also monitoring the flow of funds to help protect them. To achieve this, the awareness of each team member is crucial, and since the current system was introduced, I feel that everyone’s mindset has changed.
One person who supports Asano’s team management—ensuring that no one is left behind—from the front lines of accounting is Mizuno, who works at the Hokuriku area office.
Mizuno
Among the members in our office, I’ve been with the company the longest. Because of that, I try to bring together the opinions of the team from the perspective of someone who understands how the people on the front lines feel. At the same time, I also communicate the managers’ perspectives back to the team. I hope I can serve as a bridge between the frontline staff and the managers.
Tambo
There are many things that only those directly in charge can notice. At times like that, Mizuno often steps in to take the lead and bring everyone together. It’s a huge help, and I think of her as a reliable big sister.
From left: Tambo, Asano, and Mizuno.
Some team members place great importance on a spirit of altruism, taking the time to communicate carefully with store owners until they are fully satisfied.
One of them is Kobayashi, who works at the Niigata area office.
Kobayashi
In the accounting department, we often find ourselves asking franchise owners and OFCs to take certain actions. When doing so, what I try to keep in mind is to think from the other person’s perspective. I consider how I can explain things in a way that helps them feel convinced, and how they might see the benefits. Even being mindful of this when speaking can make a real difference in the outcome.
Supporting Each Other Across Office Boundaries
After bringing the team together around a shared perspective, Asano’s next goal is to further strengthen the connections between the offices. One initiative supporting this effort is a weekly online meeting.
These meetings are not only used to share updates on the conditions in the areas responsible for 7-Eleven stores and to communicate Asano’s direction for the team, but they also serve another important purpose.
Asano
It’s also a way for us to check on the condition of the two offices. Ideally, we would always be able to operate them in a stable state, but there are inevitably times when we find ourselves short on staff. That’s why we aim to build a system where the offices can communicate closely with each other and quickly catch up when needed.
Kosakai
When something can’t be resolved within our own office, we can turn to Tambo and the others for support. I truly appreciate having that kind of environment. Last year, we were struggling with a shortage of staff, but they supported us online, which was a huge help. I think one of this team’s greatest strengths is the kind of relationship where we can honestly say, "We need help here."
Kobayashi
They really inspire me as well. Mizuno approaches her work with great passion, and Tambo is always taking on new challenges as an assistant manager. Seeing that makes me feel that I need to keep doing my best too—it reminded me of that again today.
From left: Kosakai and Kobayashi.
Mizuno
Kobayashi has a strong spirit of challenge as well. She communicates openly with all kinds of people without hesitation, and I feel encouraged by her attitude of taking on new challenges in everything she does.
Tambo
Right now, Mizuno is actively taking on the challenge of DX (digital transformation of operations), and we’re constantly supported by the members of the Niigata area office, who have extensive knowledge and experience in DX.
This year, our office has been facing a shortage of staff, but even in those situations they naturally step in to help. I truly feel that this team is made up of wonderful people who look out for one another as a matter of course.
Even in difficult circumstances, the accounting team in the Hokuriku area has continued moving forward while supporting one another.
Finally, we asked them to put that spirit into words.
Like a Phoenix, Rising Again and Again
Kosakai
A phoenix—that’s the image that comes to mind. In any workplace, we’re bound to face difficulties at times. But even when we find ourselves in challenging situations, we rise again and again as a team. And right now, Asano is building the foundation that makes that possible.
Asano
That sounds very impressive, but it actually comes from the subject line of the email I sent when I returned to take charge of this area again. I was playing on the name of the local fireworks called "Phoenix," and wrote something like, "I’ve flown back once again—looking forward to working with you."
To support the continued growth of Seven-Eleven Japan, I want us, as a district office, to keep challenging ourselves while thinking about what we can do from multiple perspectives: the customer’s perspective, the franchise owner’s perspective, the department’s perspective, and the company’s perspective. I hope this team will continue to carry those perspectives forward.
To protect franchise owners, the team will rise again and again whenever needed.
Like a phoenix, this mindset will continue to be passed down within the team.
This text has been translated using an automatic translation tool.
