{"id":8077,"date":"2025-05-09T11:37:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T02:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mirai-works.co.jp\/consulnext\/column\/8077\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T13:21:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T04:21:48","slug":"8077","status":"publish","type":"column","link":"https:\/\/mirai-works.co.jp\/consulnext\/en\/column\/8077\/","title":{"rendered":"[A Day in the Life of Senior Consultant Kaede Okayasu] Aiming to Be a Consultant Who Can Engage Executives as an Equal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When people hear “consultant,” many think “demanding work.” But what does a consultant’s day actually look like? In this article, we follow a day in the life of Kaede Okayasu, a senior consultant at Selection and Variation, and ask her about both the rewarding moments and the tough parts of being a consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"Profile<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Kaede Okayasu<\/strong>
Selection and Variation Inc., Senior Consultant<\/strong>
After graduating from university, she joined Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. After being assigned to a branch, she worked in sales to individuals and corporations. She then moved to Indeed Japan K.K., where she handled job-ad sales for small and medium-sized enterprises. Wanting to be involved in more fundamental organizational improvement, she joined Selection and Variation Inc. Today she works as a senior consultant on HR system reform for clients.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A day in Okayasu’s schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pointing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

9:00
<\/strong>Before heading to work, she spends time on her daily self-development habit. Lately she has been actively reading specialist books on HR system design, along with business books and primers that help her see things from a management perspective. She makes a point of checking any books recommended within the company. Her focus is on inputting knowledge she can apply to real work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

10:00<\/strong>
Arrives at the office. She prepares materials for next week’s meeting. Today she is simulating the impact of a possible change to the client’s compensation structure. While considering how a redesigned compensation system would affect employee motivation, she works carefully to avoid errors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Kaede<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

12:00<\/strong>
Lunch. Looking out at the area around the Imperial Palace from the office naturally helps her relax. There are plenty of stylish caf\u00e9s and restaurants nearby, but lately she often brings a homemade bento.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

13:00<\/strong>
Online meeting with the client. The discussion covers not only HR system design but ongoing support extending to training and recruitment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

15:00<\/strong>
Internal meeting with her manager. Based on the earlier client meeting, they surface the upcoming discussion points and tasks. She then writes the minutes and shares them with the client. She struggled with minutes when she first joined, but after handling many of them, she has learned to capture the key points well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

17:00<\/strong>
1-on-1 with the company’s representative. These take place at least once a month and serve as a forum for discussing both personal concerns and work matters. She has even discussed her own sales strategy ideas, received feedback on the spot, and put them into action immediately. She finds it a meaningful chance to bring her thinking and proposals directly to the representative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Typing<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

18:00<\/strong>
Heads home. She often spends a little time on self-development before leaving. Lately she also attends online courses and webinars to gain new knowledge. Because everyone at the company is mindful of work-life balance, she usually finishes on time. There are occasional overtime stretches during the busy phases of a project, but the next day is adjusted to allow an earlier finish, so she feels the environment supports a sustainable pace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n