In the spring of 2019, we started communicating about the ‘Sparks’, our cherished team members, as the starting point for Wacom’s Social Initiatives. For this initiative, our Sparks describe why they work at Wacom and are asked the question ‘why do we exist?’ as a company. Team members reflect on what purpose Wacom serves for society at large and also have the chance to ask themselves the same question. As a result of these reflections, various initiatives were launched that we worked on together.

It’s been five years since the initiatives began, and during this time we have been gathering endeavors that are often accompanied with ambiguity within this project. Over the course of these five years, there were things that we were able to accomplish and others that we were not; we experienced clarity and uncertainty, and things we could communicate and others we could not. In this interview, we will reflect upon our five-year journey with CEO Nobu Ide about the intention to connect the future of Social Initiatives with our Meaningful Growth.

(Interviewer: Miki Amano from Wacom’s Social Initiatives)

What exactly are the ‘results’ of the Social Initiatives?

Miki: Over the past five years, we've been sharing what motivates various team members, we call them Sparks. Personally, I've encountered many moments that have moved me, but when I am asked about the ‘results’ as the company’s initiative, I find myself at a loss for answers. What do you see when you look back on these five years?

Nobu: It's challenging to define ‘results’ but I believe there is meaning in each and every thing we've done. One of Wacom's challenges is Meaningful Growth, and with the Social Initiatives, we continue to address the question of how Wacom can engage with society. There's no single answer or goal to that question. It's simply been five years of relentlessly stacking efforts.

Honestly, we're still in the middle of the flowing river. I believe Wacom's role isn't to construct grand edifices but to create small triggers that lead to links, which leave behind traces. These connections are scattered and kinetic, sometimes disappearing and other times reappearing.

We are entrusting ourselves to this flow. Our Social Initiatives are the end of the chain of these connections, the last link so to speak. Wacom has been and will continue to be a vortex. I believe that Wacom's Social Initiatives are a vortex that we ourselves are slowly circulating within when viewed from a distance.

What do Social Initiatives aim for if not to achieve a goal or resolve an issue?

Miki: : Wacom did not choose to pursue easy-to-understand goals or solve problems as a company initiative. As the world continues to change, I believe the question arose whether our goals and challenges should also change. I think some of the team members, including myself, have a feeling that we somehow understand that the direction or approach of the Social Initiatives is not exclusively to achieve KPIs or economic goals, but find it difficult to explain because that’s not the typical approach companies usually take.

Nobu: : We’re not intentionally making Social Initiatives obscure, but I believe that engaging with society isn't about operating within predefined frameworks. We want to be involved in endeavors that are much more realistic, intrinsic, and personally satisfying to us. It's important to note that we're not driven by a grand cause or end goal, but rather, we constantly want to explore what Wacom can uniquely contribute from its own unique position.

This also applies to Wacom's manufacturing process. Creating and selling products always involves inherent contradictions. While we take pride in producing top-notch technology, it can also be seen as technology aimed at maximizing returns for the anonymous masses. On the other hand, the anonymous masses are a culmination of many individuals, and Wacom is constantly sending products to individuals whom we have yet to meet in order to create countless micro-relationships. While this approach may not be the most efficient, there is meaning in not always taking the shortest path, and in the process of the company's growth, we would like to observe these micro links. In this context, aligning with the Sparks among our team members, which is where our Social Initiatives originate from, is deeply connected to the fundamental question of why Wacom exists.

The importance of each individual's ‘Spark’

Miki: The term ‘Sparks’ may be somewhat vague when referring to our team members supporting Social Initiatives, but it began five years ago as something very tangible. Once again, what exactly do the Sparks mean for our Social Initiatives?

Nobu: There might be many who feel that talking about the ‘Sparks’ doesn't concern them directly. While there's no clear-cut definition, I envision this approach as the gentle circulation of individual commitment, shaping Wacom in its own unique way. Each individual's life and personal interests ignite and form a ‘spark’ that fires up our Social Initiatives.

Though it may seem obvious when put into words, each team member has vastly different daily experiences. A diverse collection of microcosms come together, sometimes drawing close, sometimes drifting apart, experiencing moments of interest or disinterest, ultimately forming a single organism – all embodying Wacom. As we contemplate Wacom's engagement with society, amidst the struggles of reality, we aim to elevate experiences and stories that resonate with the human spirit. I believe it's our Sparks that support us in this endeavor.

Current status of the Social Initiatives emerging from the questions posed

Miki: We have asked a number of questions so far, ranging from the huge question of Wacom's raison d'être to the specific question of what we can do for the regions and communities. What do posing questions contribute to our Social Initiatives?

Nobu:All the questions we've asked are interconnected, and what we value as the essence of questioning is that there's no definitive answer or goal. As a manifestation of Wacom's questions, we have Connected Ink, and we've chosen 'ordinary life’ as the theme for 2024. This is because we see Wacom's Lifelong-Ink as something that accumulates in ordinary life. I believe that Wacom's technology can become a protagonist in people’s regular lives. Rather than Wacom changing the world, it's more about Wacom being present in everyday life, blending in. We want to explore what that really means to everyone. We still have more questions; we see them as a means for both Wacom and Social Initiatives to confirm our current position and milestones.

The depth of Sparks is what Social Initiatives intend to communicate

Miki: After reading up to this point, some may feel like they understand, while others may feel like they are still trying to understand. Amidst the gentle cycle of Sparks, what is it that the Social Initiatives aim to communicate as a company initiative?

Nobu: In the creation field, I often encounter warm sentiments towards creation and the profound emotions underlying them which evoke many moving experiences. It may sound forced, but I believe Social Initiatives share a similar essence. It's not about conveying beautiful stories; it's about relating the emotions behind them. There's actually a source of value beyond profit or logic, one that can deeply move hearts and create tremendous impact. We aim to visualize and draw out that essence through our Social Initiatives. By reliving the stories of our team members, we are able to sense how their Sparks resonate and spread to other team members, partners, and communities. Through communicating our efforts, we hope to expand the possibilities for Wacom as a company and contribute to society and the future.

Nurturing our Social Initiatives as a company initiative

Miki: We've introduced over 30 stories on our website, but they represent only a fraction of Sparks from our team members. We've heard voices expressing a desire to participate in Social Initiatives but lacking the opportunities. As a company initiative, shouldn't we create more opportunities to pique interest and encourage more participation in what we do?

Nobu: Absolutely. As the next step, we may need to create more accessible opportunities so more people can participate. I would like to listen to our team members' thoughts and voices as much as possible, beyond the limits of Social Initiatives. Regardless of department or role, if anyone has ideas or suggestions, I encourage them to reach out to me or Miki.

Regarding the next five years, we aim to create a meaningful cycle that cannot be reached in a linear way

Miki: While Social Initiatives often require explanation, I feel there’s a significant amount of enthusiasm when it's passed from one person to another. As a person in charge, I can't predict how many years it will take, but I would like to nurture this initiative so it will last a long time. What are your thoughts for the next five years?

Nobu: With Lifelong-Ink spanning over a longer period of time, our success is not measured by numbers or KPIs. Society and values about success are ever-changing and interpretations are moveable. I think the important thing is understanding the complexity of problems in society – and we can face them with diverse ideas and methods. That’s why each individual’s motivation, or Spark, is considered and that is the core of Wacom’s Social Initiatives.

Since we do not measure our success through KPIs, we'll continue to accumulate efforts earnestly, both in the past and future. Each individual’s s motivation, or Spark, is the core of Wacom’s Social Initiatives – and that is at the heart of what drives us. I believe that from the chain created by these small whirlpools, we can aim for a significant cycle that cannot be reached in a linear fashion. We would like to create meaningful moments while embracing the fear and unknowns within the whirlpool we create ourselves. Even if we may be swallowed by it.