Advances in technology are creating a variety of connections, not only between individuals but also in B2C and C2C contexts. Business matching is one such area, experiencing rapid growth with the market size approximately doubling in five years. Among these, "Ready Crew," a business matching agent, is drawing particular attention. We explored the system of this company, which is rapidly growing while actively promoting the utilization of women.

— Amidst the rapid growth of the business matching market, "Ready Crew" has also achieved a year-on-year growth of 150%. Where do you think the reasons for this lie?

TakaseIn recent years, societal changes and shifts in values regarding work have led to the localization of specialized talent. This has created an environment where companies are compelled to take on challenges in line with the times, such as "developing new marketing methods to adapt to the new normal," "pursuing more efficient management by consolidating data through DX," and "increasing sales through e-commerce rather than physical stores."
On the other hand, when projects are large in scale or when there is insufficient knowledge about a particular task, choosing the right partner can be very difficult. I believe that the popularity of business matching stems partly from its ability to resolve these challenges.

— With many competitors in the market, what sets "Ready Crew" apart?

TakaseWhen people hear "business matching," they often think of a business matching "site." In contrast, our company positions itself as a business matching "agent."

— Business matching "sites" typically operate on a platform where users are encouraged to connect freely. Is it correct to understand that a business matching "agent" involves sales representatives who meet with clients to propose suitable companies?

TakaseYes, that's correct. It might be similar to the difference between a job search site and a recruitment agency. Even when searching for potential partners on a platform or website and initiating discussions, there are many things that are only revealed through conversation. Some companies may have impressive track records but cannot publicly display them on their websites due to confidentiality agreements. Conversely, some companies might list certain areas on their websites but are not particularly strong in those fields.

— It is indeed difficult to determine which of several potential partners is suitable, whether for specialized or general projects.

TakaseIf the requirements are clear, the project scope is well-defined, and the budget is reasonable, a platform might lead to a good match. However, many of the challenges clients face involve large B2B projects with significant budgets and scope, sometimes requiring selection of partners outside their core expertise. This often involves sensitive information and complex requirements definition. That's where we come in; we visit our clients to understand their specific challenges and propose the most suitable solutions.

— Could you elaborate on the process?

TakaseWe visit clients to understand their objectives and challenges. This information is then entered into our database. We then propose recommended companies, drawing not only from the search results but also from the firsthand information and expertise held by our concierges. You could think of it as similar to a real estate search site. For example, based on your objectives and challenges, we'd ask about your desired lifestyle and ideal environment, then inquire about things like "What's the floor plan like?" "How close is it to the station?" "What's the rent?" If the conditions don't align, we'll delve deeper into what aspects you might be willing to compromise on.

— So, your company has a large network of partner companies (companies you can introduce).

TakaseWe have a wide range of partner companies, covering everything from production services to management consulting, and even AI and metaverse domains. Because we possess firsthand information about these companies, we can achieve highly accurate matching. This includes not only achievements that cannot be listed on websites, as I mentioned earlier, and details about their specialized fields, but also insights into their operational structure and even the personalities of their staff.

— From the perspective of your partner companies, it seems like they are essentially outsourcing their sales efforts to Ready Crew.

TakaseYes, I believe they feel a sense of security knowing that someone who deeply understands their company is promoting them. For example, we often hear feedback like this:
— Smooth transitions from initial contact to closing deals because the requirements are well understood.
— Higher likelihood of sales conversion as we secure actual business meetings, not just leads.
— Ability to focus on sales conversion, as we provide a steady stream of business meetings.
— Connection with clients that would have been difficult to reach solely through our own efforts.
— Our services are promoted with explanations, enhancing understanding.
Among these, the benefit of receiving business meetings is perhaps the most clearly and frequently articulated advantage.

— Are your clients primarily small to medium-sized enterprises or startups that may not have extensive networks?

TakaseNot necessarily. Approximately 60% of the companies that use our services are listed corporations.

— That's somewhat surprising.

TakaseThey value the ability to obtain neutral information and easily demonstrate that their selection was made from multiple vendors in an unbiased manner. Frankly, this makes it easier to get approvals. Furthermore, since we perform the initial filtering, clients are spared the tedious anti-social force checks.

— So, it not only ensures a fair selection process but also contributes to operational efficiency by avoiding unnecessary complications.

TakaseI believe the reason business matching agents like us are gaining traction is due to unmet needs and challenges with existing websites. As more people use matching sites, cases and situations where "effective use is difficult" have become apparent. Simultaneously, our value has relatively increased, and our unique approach has become easier to communicate. As technology advances, these gaps create new needs.

— Ultimately, in business, "people" and "communication" are crucial, and "search" alone has its limits in finding the optimal solution. Perhaps human power is an essential element in bridging this gap.

TakaseWhile the volume of information is increasing, judging its accuracy is becoming more difficult. We may not even know if a company's website is up-to-date. Moreover, people's perspectives on work and careers have significantly changed, with a growing number choosing freelance work. Considering these circumstances, the demand for matching is likely to continue increasing. To enhance the accuracy of these matches, the fusion of technology and human power is indispensable.

— At Ready Crew, not only are your concierges predominantly women, but the company is also actively involved in supporting women. What is the reason behind this?

TakaseOne reason is the founder's vision: "We want to provide a place where women can work throughout their lives" and "We want to create opportunities for women's advancement." Another is that this business model heavily relies on "listening skills" and "empathy." It involves understanding the unspoken needs and nuances of our clients. We find that women often excel in these areas.

— With 70% of your employees and 46% of management being women, are there any unique aspects to your organizational structure or talent development?

TakaseEven junior employees can be promoted to desirable positions if they achieve results. We also strive to simplify operations as much as possible and continuously improve the skills of our concierges through regular role-playing sessions and training workshops. This ensures they can adapt to changing trends and diverse client needs. Overall, I believe it's a company with a very open and transparent atmosphere.

— Finally, could you share your future outlook?

TakaseOur mission is also to "eliminate information disparity." Therefore, as an information platform, we aim to organize information on B2B products and services that are difficult to bring to market and provide it to our clients as neutral data. Furthermore, we aspire to develop services and train personnel who can respond not only to specific consultation requests for projects but also to a broader range of corporate challenges.
We provide information and solutions to a wide range of corporate inquiries from a neutral standpoint.
By doing so, we hope to realize the aspirations of all stakeholders and build sustainable, healthy relationships that are mutually beneficial. Ultimately, we aim to contribute to the revitalization of industry.