Making a real difference for children, and for society
Hiroko Miura
Red Pen Teacher
I first applied to become a Red Pen Teacher 16 years ago, when my daughter was in second grade, and began taking Benesse's Shinkenzemi correspondence courses. This year, my daughter graduated from school and entered the work force herself. Even today, my own daughter can remember her Red Pen Teacher, who carefully answered the questions she asked. I believe that the suggestions I provide to the students I coach remain with them even after they become adults, and I think that is one of the reasons why I have continued in this role for so many years.The students I am assigned to supervise when they are first graders will continue to be my responsibility for two years, until they finish second grade. I am constantly amazed at how rapidly children advance in their first few years of elementary school, and their progress increases my motivation as well. However, I also sense that Red Pen Teachers play a different role from that of parents and schoolteachers; when I read what the children write in the “comments” box I can often sense that, between the lines, they are communicating the true feelings and opinions they would not disclose to these other adults.
I think that Benesse's correspondence courses have tremendous potential to make a real impact on the lives of children. I believe that the things Benesse teaches students -for example, the lessons about protecting the environment – can make a real difference for children and for society. I try to keep this in mind when I am working as a Red Pen Teacher.
Supporting efforts to train young teachers
Noboru Higuchi
Tama Board of Education, Department Manager, Educational Supervision Department
During the 15 years I spent as a teacher in elementary schools, I recall that I had numerous opportunities to use the opinion data and surveys provided in Benesse's free “Monograph Shogakusei Now” pamphlets (current title: View 21) in meetings with parents and elsewhere. I consider Benesse to be one of the most reliable sources when it comes to information about education.In 2011, when the Ministry of Education introduces new curriculum guidelines for elementary schools, there are many areas in which private corporations can cooperate and make a very major contribution—in supporting efforts to train young teachers, for example. Since a large number of teachers from the “baby boom” era are retiring, over the next ten years schools in the Tokyo area will be taking on a large number of teachers who are entirely new to the profession. Although we can expect a great deal of positive contributions from these young teachers, I expect that they will need a lot of training in areas such as communication with parents and managing their classrooms. Furthermore, elementary school teachers have to cover a wide range of subjects and many will be weak in certain areas, such as science. They are likely to require a lot of support and training in matters such as the basics of conducting and observing experiments, and ways to make the lessons more interesting to students. Although the Board of Education is making efforts to provide this support, I think it will also be necessary to get some support from the private sector. I am hopeful that Benesse will use its strength in educational information to provide this support.
Multiplying operations in the educational services industry, and new business development
Hidekatsu Watanabe
Senior Analyst, Mizuho Securities
In 2007, Benesse got off to a difficult start, as the number of enrollees in its Shinkenzemi correspondence courses declined for the first time in four years. However, the Company avoided the pitfalls it experienced between 2000 and 2003, when earnings figures declined, as Company management did a good job of calmly appraising the situation and engineering a strong recovery from the middle of the fiscal year. The Company earned particularly strong marks for the flexible approach it took in response to the changing business environment. As a result, Benesse's share price remained firm despite the general weakness in stock markets that we saw last year, since investors viewed the Company as a good defensive investment.Benesse does a very effective and consistent job of communicating with investors. The Company discloses information in a carefully considered manner, and avoids unnecessary gestures intended to curry favor. The “Benesse Group Management Policies for 2010” provide numerical targets for earnings performance as laid out in the medium-term management plan, but I am much more interested in the prospects for the Company beyond 2010. Benesse does not appear to be satisfied with simply posting good earnings figures; instead, it is trying to develop new businesses which are in tune with social trends and comply with the rules. We can look forward to a continuing metamorphosis at Benesse, as the Company maintains sustainable growth through the extension of its profitable education business, while cultivating new opportunities and new businesses.
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| Katsuhiko Masumoto, Corporate Vice-President, Head of Corporate Secretarial Division and General Manager, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department |
This is the fifth year since Benesse began compiling the “Benesse Report” to highlight its activities. This year, separate versions of the “Benesse Report” will be published in printed form and on the internet. The printed report is aimed primarily at employees and other Benesse stakeholders, while the version on our website will provide more detailed information on Benesse's CSR activities to those who are interested. In compiling this report, we have done our best to collect comments and input from company employees, who are the Benesse Group's most important assets. By describing our operations in the words of those who actually take part in each business, we think that readers will receive a clearer explanation and a better picture of actual conditions inside Benesse.
One of the most important elements of any company's “corporate social responsibility” is the responsibility to maintain a healthy dialogue with its stakeholders. We view the “Benesse Report” as an important tool in stimulating this dialogue. By including the views of non-employees, such as a freelance staff-member, an educational administrator and an investment analyst, we hope to provide a more three-dimensional view of the Benesse Group. In the process of collecting comments and advice from various stakeholders, we have also acquired valuable perspectives which can be incorporated into our management activities, and I believe that they will be extremely useful in helping Benesse to address its business challenges. Therefore, I want to offer my sincere thanks to those who contributed comments and opinions during the preparation of this report, and ask for your continuing cooperation and support.
One of the most important elements of any company's “corporate social responsibility” is the responsibility to maintain a healthy dialogue with its stakeholders. We view the “Benesse Report” as an important tool in stimulating this dialogue. By including the views of non-employees, such as a freelance staff-member, an educational administrator and an investment analyst, we hope to provide a more three-dimensional view of the Benesse Group. In the process of collecting comments and advice from various stakeholders, we have also acquired valuable perspectives which can be incorporated into our management activities, and I believe that they will be extremely useful in helping Benesse to address its business challenges. Therefore, I want to offer my sincere thanks to those who contributed comments and opinions during the preparation of this report, and ask for your continuing cooperation and support.
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