Hello everyone, I’m N-mi from SAPO LABO.

During our meetings, our CEO, Ms. Miyata, always says: “I have never met a successful person who is slow to respond.” I couldn’t agree more, so today’s column is about how to make your response speed your greatest ally.

When you first start a new job or launch a product, you might lack confidence in your quality or struggle to communicate with customers you haven’t met face-to-face. While it’s natural to focus solely on the “work” itself, simply making a conscious effort to respond immediately can work wonders. It creates a positive impression and builds a sense of sincerity and trust.

In the business world, a slight difference in speed can be the deciding factor between gaining an advantage or receiving a complaint.

Speed as Part of the Product

Imagine two shops selling the exact same product at the same price. One ships within 24 hours, and the other ships within three days. Which one would you choose?

If you choose the faster one and the product arrives in perfect condition, you’ll likely think, “I want to buy from them again.” In this case, the speed of service didn’t just result in a faster sale—it secured a repeat customer.

The same applies to freelance work or service industries. The speed and stability of your response are part of how a client evaluates you. In short, speed is a vital part of your “product.”

Anticipating the Needs of Others

Of course, responding quickly just for the sake of speed isn’t enough if the content is a burden to the recipient. The key is to look ahead and provide a response that makes it easier for the other person to take their next step.

Even in my private life, I notice that successful entrepreneurs and people who truly value relationships are incredibly timely. They are the first to send thank-you notes, birthday wishes, or a refreshing greeting.

The Foundation of Trust

When starting a business, it’s easy to feel rushed, thinking, “I must polish my skills!” or “I must study more!” While those are important, remember that no one will do business with someone they feel uneasy about.

Polite greetings and fast responses are the most basic of basics, but they are powerful tools. I want to keep these values at the heart of everything I do.