Building Core Systems One at a Time

Airport privatizations are gathering momentum around the world. Their aim is to promote greater business and tourist traffic by attracting as many airlines as possible and injecting private-sector initiative to offer safe, secure and high-quality airport services. When the Mongolian government decided to relocate the international airport in Ulaanbaatar, it sought out a partnership with a Japanese consortium. Takeo Kato is President and CEO of NUBIA. "There are not many examples of airports in capital cities whose management has been contracted out to foreign companies, so the Mongolian government has some big expectations of us," he says. "We will do our best to meet those expectations with an attractive airport."

Kishikawa is in charge of NUBIA's Administration Division, which provides all of the company's corporate functions. She must work with the locally hired employees to quickly develop the company's operational base and make a myriad of decisions in time for the summer opening, covering everything from HR systems to office equipment and the airport's waste management system. "My immediate challenge is putting NUBIA's core systems in place so that its various departments can all work smoothly with one another," she says.

Most of the employees transferred from the current airport do not speak English, so NUBIA employs interpreters who are fluent in Japanese and Mongolian. So far, just about everything Kishikawa has experienced at the company has been a first for her, but she has embraced that, saying that it "only makes the situation more challenging and enjoyable." During the negotiations, she could sense the cultural differences between Japan and Mongolia, but she knew how important it was to respect her counterparts' customs. Her strategy has been to build a trust-based relationshihp by demonstrating the qualities that Japanese professionals are known and appreciated for, such as the ability to provide timely information through thorough reports, notifications and consultations. "We looked for ways to get everyone engaged, such as by having a contest to design the company's logo," she says. "I am so pleased that all of the employees are equally committed to building an excellent company and a first-rate airport."

President Kato places a lot of trust in his CFO. "For Noriko, this is a new challenge, but she has been sincere with our Mongolian counterparts right from the start, and I know that I can rely on her," he says.

Once preparations to open the airport are completed, Kishikawa will turn her attention to attracting tourists and airlines. "Mongolia has rich, natural beauty and a growing demand for business, so I want our airport to attract visitors from all over the world," she says. "If it can become a thriving new hub, then it will also help to invigorate this country's economy. I am hopeful that we can leverage this project to boost Mongolia's international appeal, help it to grow and develop, and improve its citizens' quality of life."