Yuko Kawano
Japan
CAREER Enrolled in April 2011; Completed master’s degree in March 2013
I currently work in the product development at the marketing headquarters of Haagen-Dazs Japan.Incorporated. KMD promotes the co-creativity of the distinct domains of the arts and sciences, and I am keenly reminded of the importance of this at work.
It takes around two years to create one product. Even if a good concept and prototype has been developed, it would be meaningless without actual production in the factory. The co-creativity and balance of artistic elements and scientific aspects are indispensable to the process of tying the idea together with the fact toward the real production.
I wanted to study again about corporate branding and marketing, so I decided to enroll at KMD after two years of working. I carried out research focused on creating shared value (strategic CSR directly related to business operations) while attending KMD. It was a big sensation for me to enter the academic environment which is the complete opposite from the domestic environment of a Japanese corporation which I used to be, and there were also chances to encounter with many unique and inspiring people with unique habits that I had never before encountered. Even though there was some initial travail, this experience has now become an invaluable asset. There is an expression “to be the best, one must learn from the best.” I think KMD is the best place to learn directly from the leading figures of various fields.
(This article was written in March 2018.)