荻野 隆雄

【荻野　隆雄】

荻坊とよんでいる。

2008年。
ちょうど俺が30歳の頃。
25歳で始めたKOMAは(株)KOMAになった。
若い衆に対して今でもかなり厳しいが当時はそれの比ではない。

例えば、声が小さい時。
現在は「声が小せえ〜」
当時は「なに言ってっか聞こえねえんだよ！ブッ殺すぞ！」

例えば、遅刻しちゃったら。
現在は、昨日も遅かったしな〜でなにも言わない。
当時は、ヘタしたらクビだ。

そんな環境だから当然誰もついてこない。
あの頃いてくれた子たちには本当に申し訳ないと思うが、今でもみんな連絡をくれて繋がれている事に感謝している。

そんな時に入ってきたのが24歳の荻坊だ。
当然、例に漏れず半年程の付き合いだった。
「オマエはウチでやってくの無理じゃね？」
みたいなニュアンスだったと思う。

思い返してみると自己嫌悪に陥りそうになる。。
まだ若くて血の気が多すぎた。
過去には戻れないから今に活かす。
などと言い訳ばかりがうかんでしまう。。


その時、荻坊は「ゼッテエ諦めないっす！」と他の家具工房に移った。
「でもたまに遊びに来てイイっすか？」とも言ってくれた。
その宣言どおりちょくちょく顔を出してくれた。
おかげで関係は繋がった。
ありがたい。

2年が経った2010年。
「会社がヒマで今月休みなんすよ」と荻坊。
「だったらその間手伝ってくれよ〜」
で事件が起こる。

右手中指切断の大怪我だ。
「119番って何番だ！！？」
なんてパニクリながら救急車を呼んだ。



手術とリハビリを終え半年後、紆余曲折は割愛するが、
1年後に独立を前提でKOMAに戻ってくる事になる。

一緒に働くのは２度目だ。


売上や自身の製産スキルなど、独立を想定したトライは厳しいものだった。

荻坊にとって落ち込む結果になった。

そして、家具職人の道を諦めることになる。


そんな話し合いをして工場で2人、深夜までスケボーをして盛り上がった。

荻坊は地元である埼玉に戻り、「やっぱり木に携わりたい」と盆栽屋に就職する。



２度目も何も助けになることは出来なかった。





それから徐々に厳しすぎる環境ではなくなり、やっと人材が定着してきたか？などと思っていた。

2014年の7月、2年目の若い衆が突然バックレた。
今までにも数人いるが、古今東西よくいる若者のよくある姿で、少なからず存在する。
そういった相手には、身の丈以上の期待をしないでほどほどにが大切だ。ということを学んだ。


10月、入社1年半の若い衆が辞めた。
ヤル気もあって、ちょうど技術も伸びてきて、今後が凄く楽しみなヤツだったが、会社として彼の家族の信頼を得れなかった事に本当に申し訳ないと思っている。
自分よりも家族を選んだ彼を尊敬している。
役割、それに伴う給与、様々な基準やルールなどなどの明確化が必要だと分かった。

何れにせよ若い衆が続かない。
もうイヤでも反省するしかない。
自分に問題がある。

職人で残ったのは、俺、亀井、６年目だが半独立状態の海老沢、今は仕上げのエースとして活躍中だが当時は、まだまだの舞子の４人だけになった。


困った。仕事はあるけど人がいない。

この状況にただの素人はキツい。
会社との相性もある。。。

どうするか。。。




2014年11月のある深夜、荻坊に会いに行った。

群馬かどこかの駅前で、地べたに座り酒盛りをしながらスケーボーをした。

「助けてくれねえか？」を言いに行った。

「そこまで言われて断る理由は無いっすよ！」

戻ってきてくれた。
本当にありがたい。

荻坊と一緒に働くのはこれで3度目になる。

前の2度とも荻坊の助けになる事ができなかった。
そして3度目は、俺が助けてもらう事になった。



ギブアンドテイクになってねえ。



荻坊は職人としての成長を見せた。

特に「鉋」は急成長だった。
年内に俺に追いつくなんて言ってた。


そして何より、会社全体の事や若い衆の教育にも目を向けてくれた。


そして今、荻坊は営業に転向してくれた。
「KOMAってもったいないっすよ」
「KOMAに足りないのは営業力」
「もっといろんな人に知ってほしい」

また助けてもらう事になった。




気さくで明るい性根は人に可愛がられる。一つの結果が大きく彼を成長させるだろうと思う。

最近、俺からの身の丈以上の期待と要望に向き合い応える覚悟が見えてきたように思う。


そんな荻坊は俺にとって今、希望の光であり最も信頼出来る人間の一人だ。


そして何より、「黙って信じて待てば良い」と思える切っ掛けを創ってくれたように思う。
これは会社経営にとって大きな進歩だ。

スケボー　スノボー　サーフィンと公私ともに仲間なのである！

そしてこれからも助けてもらうのである！！笑

誰よりも人との繋がりを大切にする荻坊が紹介してくれたのが、今や椅子仕上げのエースとして活躍している武内舞子だった。

I call him "Ogi-bo".

2008.

When I was 30 years old.

KOMA, I established the I was 25 years old, became KOMA co., ltd.

I am still tough to younger employees, however, I was incomparably tough at that time.

For example, when younger employees talk in small voice,

I would say ,"Your voice is too small." now.

At that time, "I cannot hear what you talk about ! I will kill you !!"

When they come late in the factory,

I would say nothing with understanding the employee stayed in the factory very late at night, now.

At that time, I would fire the person depending on the situation.

Under such working environment, no one followed me.

I am really sorry for them and appreciate them keeping me in touch and connected.

Ogi-bo joined KOMA at that time when he was 24 years old.

As have been cases for other young employees, when he had spent 6 months in KOMA, my view on him would be something like "You would not be good enough to survive in KOMA."

I am about to hate myself when I remember my attitudes at that time.

I was too young and had too hot blood.

I cannot fix my experiences in past, rather, I would like to take advantage of them.

I cannot help from thinking of such excuses.

At that time, Ogi-bo moved to the other factory saying "I will never give up becoming a craftsman !"

He also kindly said to me " May I visit this factory again ?"

He, actually as his words, visited KOMA frequently.

Thanks to him, we had been connected.

I appreciate him.

2010 when 2 years have past.

Ogi-bo said to me "The company does not have enough jobs to be dine, thus, I am in offs."

"Then, may I ask for your help ?"

The accident happened.

It was a major injury the middle finger of his right hand was cut off.

I asked for the ambulance car in panic as saying "What the telephone number of #119 to ask the ambulance ?"

He re-joined KOMA 6 months later after completion of surgical operation and associated rehabilitations with the condition establishing his own factory in one year, I would not write the story during the period.

It was second time we work together.

His trial aiming to establish his own factory seemed to be difficult from the point of sales, his own skills manufacturing furnitures, and so on.

Ogi-bo was v very much depreciated.

He decided to give up becoming craftsman for furniture.

After discussing about it, we had really enjoyed skateboard until very late at night.

He returned to his hometown, Saitama prefecture, and got a job in Bonsai factory due to his desire "I would like to deal with woods."

I was not be able to help him at all in the second time as well.

Then, I thought the working environment of KOMA has become a little bit less strict and I would become able to retain younger employees.

July 2014, a young member in his second year has suddenly run away.

It would not be extraordinary anywhere and anytime as KOMA has experienced several times.

I have learned I should refrain myself from expecting too much exceeding true capability of people, instead I am supposed to have decent expectations on them.

October 2014, another young employee in one and half year in KOMA resigned.

Being highly motivated and improving skills, I expected him a lot, however, I am sorry for him because KOMA was not credible firm from his family's point of view.

And I respect him who prioritized his family to his own interests.

I have learned KOMA needs clear standards and rules in terms of roles and responsibilities and associated compensations or others.

Anyway, KOMA was not able to retain young people.

I had no choice thinking through of it.

It is attributed to me.

The craftsman in KOMA has become 4, namely, Kamei, Ebisawa who was half independent, Maiko who currently takes major roles as ace of finishing process but just started her career as Craftsman, and myself.

I was in the spot. We had jobs to be done, however, there were not adequate number craftsman.

I would not be able to hire pure amateur.

We also take care of how people fit to KOMA.

What shall I do ?

One mid night on November 2014, I visited Ogi-bo.

I drank alcohol and played skateboard in front of a station somewhere in Gunma prefecture.

I would like to ask him "May I ask you for help ?"

He kindly replied "I have no choice to accept the offer hearing you say that far !"

He came back to KOMA.

I really appreciate it.

This is third time for me to work with Ogi-bo.

I was not able to help him in previous first time and second time.

And third time, he helps me.

It is not give and take.

Ogi-bo has demonstrate growth as craftsman.

Especially, he rapidly growth in his technique in plane.

He told me he would like to catch me up within the year.

Moreover, he has paid attentions to points across the company and training of younger employees.

Now, he changed his role to marketer.

"KOMA is not evaluated as its true value."

"What missing in KOMA is marketing."

"I would like for KOMA to be known to more wide range of people."

He helps me again.

He is able to make good relationships with other due to his frank and openhearted personality. One good result would make him significantly grow.

He seems to make his mind ready for my excessive expectations and requirements.

Now, for me, Ogi-bo is the light of hope and one of the most credible people.

More importantly, he would seem to guide me to believe in the person and just wait for his and/or her achievements.

It is great progress to manage the company.

He also plays skate board, snow board, surfing with me as well !

And, I expect him to continue to help me in the future !! lol

Maiko Takeuchi, who takes the ace role in finishing process of chairs now, was introduced by Ogi-bo, who thinks of connections to other people as the most important.