Ogury Japan | Workplace Relocation Project

C&W: When you first established your Japanese subsidiary in 2022, you operated from a shared office. What challenges did you face, and what kind of space were you looking to move into?

Laetitia Focchanere (hereafter Focchanere): Shared offices offered great flexibility during our startup phase. However, we encountered limitations in fully expressing the Ogury brand and in making layout changes as our team expanded. Since establishing our Japanese subsidiary, we’ve experienced rapid growth, making it essential to create a workplace environment that truly reflects Ogury's identity essential.

 A dedicated office allows us to strengthen external branding, improve internal communication, foster a collaborative culture, and create a workplace environment aligned with our business growth. This move represents an investment in the future of our expanding team, a strong commitment to the Japanese market, and confidence in Ogury Japan's continued success. We sought a space that would embody Ogury's identity and further drive our business growth.

C&W: An office is indeed a crucial hub for embodying and projecting a company's brand and culture, both internally and externally. Having been established only a few years ago, what challenge did you face – particularllu with differences in Japanese business customs and procedures?

Focchanere: We needed to move into the new office within eight months. However, Tokyo's real estate market is highly competitive - supply of desirable properties is limited while demand is high. Additionally, the duration of interior construction work takes longer than in other markets. Some even said, "Even with a year, opening an office in Tokyo is impossible." The pace of change is rapid, and Tokyo is arguably one of the toughest markets globally. Furthermore, we encountered many first-time experiences, such as negotiating with the owner and compiling contract-related documents.

C&W: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, office vacancy rates in central Tokyo have continued to decline significantly, intensifying competition for prime properties. Achieving relocation within such a short timeframe must have been challenging. Amidst this, why did you choose C&W as your partner?

Focchanere: C&W was selected based on strong internal recommendations, along with your global track record and experience supporting relocation projects in other countries. Our priorities in choosing a partner were reliability, local expertise, and the ability to move quickly without compromising quality. C&W met all of these criteria.

C&W: How were the office location and size determined?

Focchanere: When selecting our office, we considered both our global workplace standards and the current state of the Tokyo market. Our global guidelines specify approximately 10 square meters per person as the baseline, prioritising access to natural light, excellent accessibility, and proximity to public transportation. In Tokyo, we particularly emphasised not only commuting convenience for employees but also ease of access for clients and partners. We also prioritised a modern layout, a pleasant indoor environment, and flexible meeting spaces. With C&W's support, we were able to translate our internal criteria into reality and select the optimal office for our Tokyo team in Ebisu. Ebisu offers an excellent balance of transportation convenience, neighbourhood atmosphere, and market appeal.

C&W: Ebisu is valued not only for its transportation convenience but also for its neighborhood atmosphere and creative culture. It's an internationally diverse area popular with foreign companies. Given your goal of opening the office within a short timeframe, we prioritised speed throughout the process—from identifying potential properties to negotiations and coordination. How did you find our support?

Focchanere: From our initial meeting, you demonstrated deep market knowledge and rapid responsiveness, consistently exceeding our expectations. Your thorough project management, vendor coordination, and constant communication enabled us to achieve our goal of opening within eight months. We especially appreciate how you pre-screened multiple properties before our first viewings, allowing us to make swift, fact-based decisions.

C&W: Securing the optimal choice in Tokyo's tight supply-demand market was a significant achievement for us as well. How has the office relocation impacted your business so far?

Focchanere: The office move had a profound impact on our team. Unlike a shared office, the new space is designed to reflect our work style and culture, making collaboration while also providing areas for focused individual work. The facilities and meeting rooms supporting hybrid work are well-equipped, and we feel a stronger sense of unity and pride as an organisation than ever before. Furthermore, the new office is frequently used for meetings with partner companies and other teams, serving as a venue to showcase our brand in Tokyo and across Japan.

I believe the role of a Workplace Manager isn't just about building an office, but about designing a place where people naturally want to be. A well-designed office, considering location and scale, fosters performance, creativity, and connections between people and between companies. These elements not only enhance the employee’s experience but are also essential for business success.

The team's response has been overwhelmingly positive, with appreciation for establishing a permanent base in Ebisu. Many have expressed that they are now "proud to welcome clients and partners to the office." Currently, 23 employees are based in the Tokyo office, with further growth anticipated over the next year.

Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the outstanding project members at C&W.