Meet Obu, Key Account Manager and fishing enthusiast

Makoto Obu posing in front of the camera

What is your role at Axis?

I’m a Key Account Manager – End Customer (KAM-EC) for the segment Smart City in Japan. Being a KAM-EC means that I am working with high-touch sales. I am developing and supporting end customers in the public sector, such as government offices and police departments. The KAM-EC is a new position in Japan, so there are many exciting challenges. For example, when I started my role, there were no end-customer contacts. So, I have been researching the websites of government and police to make cold calls, finding key people and building relationships.

Through these activities, I can develop good relationships with end customers. Often, they ask that I create camera specifications for their tenders. In addition to the description of Axis cameras, it is also important to specify which of our partners will provide the Axis cameras to the customer. Therefore, I am working closely with the Axis Partner Sales team to win the tender projects.

What has your career journey at Axis looked like?

When I joined Axis in 2013, I provided technical support to our development partners as an engineer. My role was changed to Business Development in 2014 to work with our development partners to create solutions. During my 6 years of Business Development in Japan, I also spent 3 years as Regional Business Development for North Asia.

I took on the role of KAM-EC for Smart City in Japan in 2021, when Axis started to focus more on end customer development in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. My career is a little bit unusual, compared to career paths at other companies, but I believe that at Axis, it is possible to get many experiences if you have a strong passion.

What makes Axis stand out?

I like the company corporate culture very much, especially the Axis core values. During an interview for any role in the company, interviewers will be interested in exploring your potential to align with those values. This is important because when we are faced with a big challenge, we can approach it with those values in mind.

Axis colleagues also show mutual respect regardless of age, nationality, gender, or background. Axis has a corporate culture that respects diversity, which is why it’s been awarded the Great Place to Work (GPTW) certifications in various regions across the world.

How do you see Axis making a difference in the world?

We are a technology-oriented company which has been releasing world-first technologies and products, such as the world’s first network printer board, the world’s first network camera and more. In recent years we’ve also moved beyond camera solutions into IP speakers and access control systems. We are always working to make society better by following the company vision, ‘Innovating for a smarter, safer world’.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Axis?

Axis is an innovative company who looks to push boundaries and take on new challenges. It’s that mindset that we look for in potential colleagues. So, don’t be afraid to take on new and exciting challenges, to think outside the box, and to be a leader.