Introduction
In Japan, where the birthrate is declining and the population is aging, the decrease in the working population is a major challenge hindering corporate growth. This article discusses not only the latest digital technologies (AI and IoT) and automated robots, but also the role of employees who have become "influencers."New Human Resources Utilization ModelThis section will address this topic and specifically introduce practical measures and their effects.
① Labor shortages can only be overcome with a "technology + human" hybrid approach.
With the labor supply becoming increasingly tight, simply "increasing the number of workers" has its limitations. Therefore, the following two pillars are attracting attention.
- Business efficiency improvements through AI and robotsWe automate physically demanding tasks such as fireproofing spraying at construction sites and off-site factory operations, allowing skilled workers to shift to value-added tasks.
- “Creating "influencer employees"This is a new employment model that simultaneously improves productivity and sales by having sales staff directly promote the company's products on social media.
A hybrid strategy combining these two approaches will be key to resolving future labor shortages.
② Specific measures and their background – details, reasons, and procedures
This article introduces three specific measures that support the two pillars mentioned above. Each item is organized in a "points" format, so you can immediately put them into practice.
● Point 1: "Use AI to visualize on-site data and accelerate decision-making."
- Customer purchase history and store visit patterns are transformed into big data, and Generative AI supports hypothesis formulation.
- For example, at Aeon stores, AI-generated display change suggestions are immediately tested and used to improve sales.
- Effect: The decision-making cycle is shortened from several days to several hours, mitigating the impact of labor shortages.
● Point 2: "Shifting to 'high value-added work' through collaboration between robots and skilled workers"
- Construction sites are introducing fire-resistant coating spraying robots. This allows skilled workers to focus on remote operation and quality checks.
- In the manufacturing industry, skills training and simulations are conducted simultaneously using "T-Base (Digital Twin Learning Space)".
- Effect: Working time reduced by 40%, and production volume more than doubled with the same number of people.
● Point 3: "Maximize sales staff productivity by turning them into influencers."
- Apparel companies (example:PAL GroupThe company has established a system of allowances and bonuses based on the number of SNS followers.
- Salespeople who personally introduce products and complete purchases via e-commerce links are eligible for incentives.
- Results: Average salaries more than doubled, and employee turnover decreased while recruitment costs were reduced.
③ Supplementary Information and Points to Note – Points to Keep in Mind in Practice
To make a hybrid strategy successful, the following points need to be considered:
- The adoption of technology is a means to an end, not an end in itself.Simply introducing robots or AI can be counterproductive if the workflow is not properly structured. First, clearly define "which processes you want to automate."
- Transparency is key to incentive design.Ambiguous criteria for social media rewards and bonuses can lead to decreased motivation. A system that clearly defines numerical targets and evaluation criteria is essential.
- Linking talent development with evaluation systems.“The "influencer employee" role is a completely new one. In addition to traditional job performance evaluations, digital marketing skills must also be included as an evaluation criterion.
- Compliance with laws and regulations and safety management.When introducing robots, please ensure that you have work manuals and a data management system in place to avoid violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Personal Information Protection Act.
By implementing these points in stages, you can increase the ROI (Return on Investment) of your technology investments while strengthening your ability to address labor shortages.
Summary – Reconstructing the Future of Human Resources
With the accelerating decline in birth rates and aging population, and the tightening labor market, companies are forced to move away from the traditional strategy of simply "increasing the workforce." The hybrid model of using AI and robots to improve operational efficiency and utilizing a new type of human resource—"influencer employees"—is mutually complementary. By combining these two pillars with data-driven decision-making processes and highly transparent incentive systems, companies can dramatically improve productivity even with limited human resources.
What will be needed in the future is an attitude of "letting machines do what they're good at, and having people provide creative value." Companies can chart a path to sustainable growth not only by introducing technology, but also by comprehensively managing employees' skill sets and motivation. The headwind of labor shortages can actually become a driving force for innovation—now is the perfect time to put a hybrid strategy into practice.
