As part of our efforts to strengthen our company culture, Kyoto Fusioneering (KF) has developed a set of guiding principles for our team known as “CREDOS” that inform how we approach our work.
CREDOS were first introduced in 2021 by the management team, back when only 20 people worked at KF. As our company has grown to nearly 150 employees from diverse backgrounds spread across multiple sites around the globe, the idea to revisit the CREDOS and redesign them to better reflect the current organization emerged in 2024.
To align our CREDOS with the values and principles important to our teams, we organized a company-wide “Culture Day” event in the last quarter of 2024.
The event, which was held across our locations, was an opportunity for everyone to take a pause from their busy work schedules and reflect on their work, their work lives, and their vision for the kind of organization they want to be part of.
This year’s first edition of “THE FUSION ERA” offers a glimpse into our Culture Day.
Culture Day across the Company
Culture Day was a company-wide event held at our locations in Japan, Europe (Germany and the UK) and the US that encouraged all employees to really think about “KF’s culture.”
While the primary goal was to brainstorm and discuss ideas for revising the CREDOS, the event was also conceived as a chance for KF members to reflect on their own lives and work.
By sharing these reflections, participants gained a deeper understanding of one another, which reinforced a sense of teamwork.
We prioritized holding in-person events. In Japan, our team based in Kyoto and employees from other locations came together in Tokyo. In Europe, members from the UK and Germany met at our UK office, and in the US, employees working across multiple locations met in person for Culture Day.
A Closer Look at Culture Day
Here’s a more detailed look at how Culture Day unfolded.
Session 1: Exploring Personal Values
The event kicked off with an introduction from Kerianne Kudo Panos, our Global Strategy Advisor, who has worked extensively on shaping corporate cultures around the world.
She facilitated all the sessions across our global locations.
To start off Culture Day, participants shared their “Bucket List” – what they want to experience in their lifetime – with other members. This relaxed exchange allowed employees to warm up by discussing their interests, passions, and dreams.
Next, we transitioned to conversations about individual work values, focusing on what principles each person holds in their professional life.
Participants then assessed how these values align with KF’s CREDOS, identifying points of resonance and areas needing refinement.
This exercise offered everyone a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the company’s principles and their own aspirations.
Session 2: Envisioning the Future of the Company
The next part of Culture Day focused on discussions at the organizational level.
Drawing on the personal values discussed earlier, participants brainstormed ideas to update CREDOS that represent KF’s future.”
They used Post-Its to jot down ideas, and then through extensive discussions, they organized CREDO options as a group.
During the final part of Culture Day, each group presented their potential CREDOS to the management, who provided valuable feedback in real time. The event wrapped up with a final review and an after party, leaving the participants feeling a greater sense of togetherness and comradery.
Insights from Culture Day
Culture Day provided everyone at KF, from new hires to the leadership team, with the opportunity to reflect on the core values that guide our work and to reassess the culture we are building as a global organization. By meeting face-to-face and sharing personal stories and experiences, team members developed a deeper understanding of one another and strengthened their connections with each other.
Head to our YouTube channel to see a highlight reel for Culture Day.
Building on the ideas generated during Culture Day, the leadership team has updated our new CREDOS for the start of the new year. The new CREDOS will be posted online so look for them soon on our website.
KF will continue to take on new challenges in 2025 as we move closer to the early realization of fusion energy.
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