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Hiroshi Nishijima

Chief Operating Officer, Zoomcar

Professional Background

Hiroshi Nishijima is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of extensive experience in the automotive industry. Throughout his illustrious career, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in various roles, spanning from a traditional automotive manufacturer to cutting-edge mobility tech startups. Hiroshi's career began at Honda, where he honed his expertise in product planning, laying the foundation for his subsequent journey into strategy consulting and the technology sector.

Following his time at Honda, Hiroshi transitioned into strategy consulting, contributing to renowned firms like Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Roland Berger. His work in these organizations allowed him to deepen his understanding of the automotive sector, enabling him to provide strategic insights to clients, ultimately shaping industry trends.

Hiroshi has successfully made the leap into the mobility technology startup scene, where he has assumed key leadership roles. His impressive repertoire of positions includes serving as Chief Operating Officer at Zoomcar and CEO of Via Mobility Japan, where he worked directly with founder CEOs to drive growth and innovation. Throughout his career, he has played a fundamental role in building and scaling new businesses from the ground up, effectively transforming cultures, organizations, and operational frameworks as companies grew from small startups to large enterprises of 10,000 employees and more.

Education and Achievements

Hiroshi Nishijima's educational credentials are as impressive as his professional experience. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Law, specializing in Business Law from Keio University, which has provided him with a solid foundation in legal principles and frameworks that govern business operations. Furthermore, he furthered his education at Aoyama Business School, where he focused on international management. This academic background has equipped Hiroshi with the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to navigate complex business landscapes and make data-driven decisions.

Hiroshi's career has been characterized by his adaptability and ability to take on a variety of strategic roles. His tenure at major firms like BCG and Roland Berger allowed him to master the nuances of consulting, where he gained valuable insights into the automotive sector and developed strategies that would later inform his leadership roles in the tech industry.

Career Highlights

Among his most notable achievements, Hiroshi has held numerous critical leadership positions at Grab, one of Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing platforms. His roles at Grab ranged from overseeing platform safety and quality to managing the transport sector in Indonesia, and serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to the CEO. These positions allowed him to leverage his extensive knowledge of the automotive industry while engaging in strategic planning and execution on a massive scale.

At the helm of operations at Zoomcar, Hiroshi played a vital role in scaling the startup's operations and successfully leading the company through rapid growth phases. His ability to formulate and execute operational strategies has positioned him as a leader in the tech startup space, showcasing his remarkable capability to merge traditional automotive principles with innovative tech solutions.

Moreover, during his time at Via Mobility Japan, he spearheaded initiatives that enhanced operational efficiency and expanded the company’s market presence.

Hiroshi Nishijima's career is a testament to his ability to drive impactful change and innovation in the automotive and mobility technology sectors. His wealth of experience is complemented by his strong educational background, making him a respected figure in his field.

Highlights

Jan 15 · linkedin

(日本語にて) 昨年末、COOを務めるZoomcarがNASDAQに上場しました。

10年末にインドでは当時考えられなかった運転手なしのレンタカー会社として創業されたスタートアップです。 コロナ禍には、数千台の自社保有レンタカーを売却し、自社で車を保有せずに、個人間のカーシェアリングへと業態を大転換しました。

参画した2022年の時点、Zoomcarはまだ40を超えるインド各都市現地のオペレーション部隊(例: 車の配車や保守)の声が大きいレンタカー会社的な文化を色濃く残していましたが、今はプロダクトやエンジニアリングチームが成長を主導する完全な「マーケットプレイス」型のプラットフォームに転換しました。

思えば、10年勤めたコンサルティング業界を離れ、2015年にシンガポールのGrabに参画したときも、Grabは「タクシー配車アプリ」から「ライドシェアリングアプリ」への移行の真っ只中。2020年にGrabを辞めるまで、ライドシェア、ペイメント、デリバリー、デジタルバンクを含むスーパーアプリへと文字通り疾走しました。

その後参画したViaは、ライドシェアから公共交通SaaSへの変革の最中。消費者向けのアプリを、Saasに大変革するチャレンジをアメリカ、イスラエル、日本の仲間と進めました。

気づけばこの10年間、自動車業界のスタートアップの大きな業態変革を、企業の中から進めてます。

「1日でも早く変革しなければ、未来はない」というプレッシャー下で、 ・古き良き時代を懐かしむ組織と新しい企業文化との軋轢、 ・旧時代に活躍した人材と新時代に求められる人材のミスマッチ、 ・創業者や取締役会の苦悩など、 様々な状況を体験してきました。

いずれこうした体験を整理したいと思いつつ、 今はZoomcarのお客様やステークホルダーに最大限の価値を出すことに時間を使っていきたいと思います。

引き続きよろしくお願いします。

Jul 7 · linkedin

アクセンチュア Kentaro Nakamura さんのForbesでの連載。 ローランドベルガー、BCGで一緒に働いた同僚で、会うたびに学びをくれる刺激的な方です。 連載内容の障がい者就労について、2019年に初めて本人から話を聞いたとき、目を輝かせて語っていたのを覚えています。 ピープルマネジメントについて示唆に富む内容なので、紹介させていただきます。

Related Questions

How did Hiroshi Nishijima navigate his transition from Honda to a leadership role in tech startups?
What strategies did Hiroshi Nishijima implement during his tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Zoomcar?
In what ways did Hiroshi's experience at BCG and Roland Berger influence his approach to managing operations in tech startups?
Can you share examples of how Hiroshi Nishijima transformed corporate culture within the startups he led?
What are the key lessons that Hiroshi Nishijima has learned from his extensive career in the dynamic automotive and tech industries?
Hiroshi Nishijima
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Location

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India