12 | theceomagazine.com
Tomoko Namba started the Tokyo-based gaming company
just under 10 years ago and today DeNA is Japan’s top
mobile auction and social gaming platform. She stepped
down as CEO in 2011, but still serves on the board and, with
a net worth of US$545 million, she is the 47th richest person
in Japan. Success didn’t necessarily come quickly, but
Tomoko was wise to adapt.
“We did everything to catch up with Yahoo but we
were not able to. In 2001, I shifted our focus to becoming
profitable. We changed our business model from auctions
to an internet shopping mall. By doing aggressive marketing,
we got a sizeable customer base. And that worked really well.
We turned profitable quickly in 2002,” she says.
After that, the company tried many services and one of
them was extremely successful, which was its mobile auction
service (a system to let consumers bid for products using
their smartphones). “Then we started a mobile ad network,
mobile social networking service, and mobile social games.
We’ve been throwing huge hits since then.” Tomoko attributes
her company’s rapid growth to friends. “Friends helped me,
and I made more friends after founding the company, and
they also wanted to help.”“ By doing aggressiv e marketing
... we turned profitable quickly.”
- Tomoko Namba, Founder of DeNA, Japan
“Having role models also removes any self-doubt
that women may have – and self-doubt can hinder the
company’s path to gender diversity. It’s important to
ensure that everyone – both men and women – sees the
value and benefits of diversity.”
According to Jane, giving women the opportunity to take
up top roles is the way forward. “I myself was given the
opportunity to take on key positions and leadership roles
at Ctrip, first as CFO, then as COO, and eventually CEO,”
she says.
“In this position, I’m fully committed to ensuring a greater
female presence. Today, Ctrip’s female employee base is
over 50 per cent and we do our best to foster an environment
where they can realise their full potential.”
Jane claims that in addition to flexible working policies,
the company gifts US$1,100 to new mothers, offers free taxi
rides to pregnant workers, and holds summer camps at its
headquarters for staff with preschool-aged children. “We
also invest in mentorship and in enabling career continuation
after maternity leave.”
For Jane, the participation and advancement of women
is not just an aspiration, but imperative for the betterment of
business. “Gender parity in leadership helps companies to
gain greater access to productivity and resources. From being
better at building relationships, to taking initiatives, and
playing a bigger role in communication and collaboration –
it helps to sustain an environment that is positive, inclusive
and dynamic,” she concludes.