2512 Embracing a New Era at Turner & Townsend

 

In February, I embarked on an exciting new chapter in my career by joining Turner & Townsend. This move marks a significant milestone, offering an opportunity to broaden my professional landscape and leverage my extensive experience in project management.

As I navigate my initial phase at the company, I'm eager to share some initial observations and reflections that serve as my starting grid at Turner & Townsend.

Insights from the Field

From my early days here, I've learned that while there's a strong demand for project management functions to drive capital expenditures (CAPEX) in Japan, many companies traditionally manage these initiatives in-house. Despite this, several factors have shaped the current landscape:

1. Historical Decline in CAPEX: Over the last three decades, Japan has seen a decrease in CAPEX opportunities. This downturn is a reflection of broader economic trends and shifts in industrial focus.

2. Reduced Need for Dedicated CAPEX Functions: Due to the prolonged period of minimal capital investment, many companies have scaled back or entirely dissolved their dedicated CAPEX functions and resources.

3. Impact of the "Lost Generation": The economic downturn during the late '90s, particularly from 1997 to 2000, led to reduced hiring. This period coincided with what is often referred to as the "Lost Generation." As a result, there is now a noticeable gap in the capabilities of middle to upper management, predominantly aged between 45 to 55, who missed out on critical early career development opportunities during these challenging years.

Unique Position and Future Outlook

My colleagues have noted that my specialization in plant-based business projects adds a unique dimension to the team at Turner & Townsend. While I might be considered a specialist within a niche area, it's a role that I am both proud of and excited about.

As I continue on this new voyage, I am reminded of Spencer Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese?—an allegory about change and adaptation. Like the characters in Johnson's book, I am on a quest to find my new "cheese," embracing change and pursuing new opportunities.