K.C. Wang and Qianyi Ye, two MBA Program students from the Class of 2022, share their immersive internship experience in this exclusive edition of Byline ICS. Hosted by Hitotsubashi ICS and the Ajinomoto Foundation, this internship program provided a platform for them to showcase how they effectively applied their MBA knowledge and professional expertise.
KOKO Plus®' Mission and Hitotsubashi ICS' Goals towards Social Welfare
Our journey with the KOKO Plus® project started in the Hitotsubashi ICS classroom. Mr. Yusuke Takahashi (Yuten @ ICS 2014), an ICS alumnus who leads the KOKO Plus® onsite development in Ghana, introduced the project to us and encouraged us to explore social welfare issues during our global citizenship class. Envisioned by Hitotsubashi ICS’s Dean Emi Osono and supported by alumni donations and Hitotsubashi University, we embarked on a hands-on internship in Ghana with the Ajinomoto Foundation—the philanthropic arm of Ajinomoto Co., Inc.—dedicated to nourishing lives through innovative and community-focused initiatives.
The foundation of our work was built on ICS's initiative to create a significant social impact. Guided by ICS’s mission and overseen by Mr. Yamazaki from the Ajinomoto Foundation, we were to take the early product case study created by ICS and evolve it, fostering a bridge between academia and real-world application. This connection was a testament to the power of collaborative learning and the impact of the ICS alumni network.
As interns, we moved from being observers to actively participating in a movement. Our objective was clear: to integrate KOKO Plus®’ nutrition solutions into Ghana's social fabric and transform child well-being from a developmental afterthought to a tale of a prosperous future. Our goal for this trip was to develop a business plan that would guarantee the sustainability of a program that would not only provide crucial nourishment but also fan the flame of hope in the long term. We aspired to turn an early product case study into a real force for good, building on ICS's dedication to making a meaningful social effect.
Image Credit @ Ajinomoto foundation: KOKO Plus foundation & GNIP
Feeling Ghana's Heartbeat: Insights & Innovations from the Field
The first week of our internship focused heavily on fieldwork in Ghana, which later became a story of learning and connection among vibrant streets and busy markets. After visiting more than 250 local mini-stores, retail stores, and wholesale outlets, we gained firsthand experience within the diverse fabric of Ghanaian society. Distinctive value systems, complex networks of community connections, and varied communication styles framed our experience, while the local environment influenced our sales and marketing initiatives.
Our collaboration with KOKO Plus®' local sales teams and the mentorship of Ajinomoto’s legendary salesman, Mr. Uji, turned every shop visit into a lesson on the technique of B2C sales in Ghana. Each store presented its microcosm of consumer behavior; each interaction was a case study of the delicate balance of sales and need. Furthermore, we learned a crucial sales lesson: invoice numbers matter more in these kinds of intricately integrated rural and urban settings than total sales volume. Our salesmen are taught to concentrate on building relationships and creating a sales network at this point to maximize the impact of our purpose, which is to provide nourishment to as many premature babies as possible.
Based on our observations of the daily struggles and living situations faced by the locals, we developed several immediate enhancements specifically designed for KOKO Plus®’ marketing and sales departments. The insights shared by the salesmen and all the others became a treasure trove of tacit knowledge, revealing the subtleties of selling KOKO Plus® in an environment where every sale is as much about relationships as it is about transactions.
Field trips to all types of local shops with local salesmen from KOKO Plus®
The Vital Role of Nurses and Government in Ghana's Nutrition Journey
Our interactions revealed the pivotal role of nurses in the Ghana Health Service, particularly during regular health program meetings designed for mothers and their babies. Nurses not only measured the babies' health metrics, but also shared crucial nutrition knowledge, introducing KOKO Plus as a key nutritional supplement. Engaging directly with the community allowed us to gather firsthand insights into the needs and questions of the customers, laying the groundwork for our mid- and long-term proposals aimed at enhancing KOKO Plus®' reach and impact.
Interviews with governors and health service officials further enriched our learning, highlighting the potential of integrating new technologies and data analytics to better serve Ghana's nutritional needs. Their support for extending KOKO Plus®’ benefits to children beyond the age of two, especially to combat anemia and its cascading health risks, was a testament to the program's aligned goals with governmental health initiatives.
Inspired by these experiences, we proposed a more rigorous data collection effort to understand usage patterns and barriers, as well as the use of AI to refine our data analysis for improved efficiency. The idea of expanding our influence through public daycare and preschool partnerships, food demonstration programs, and more diverse nutritional education initiatives aims to embed KOKO Plus® deeper into the fabric of Ghanaian child healthcare.
Meeting mother and babies during their meeting with nurses & Interview with Ghana health and nutrition program governors
Embracing Ghana: The Pulse of Its Nature and Spirit of Its People
Exploring Ghana's rich natural and cultural sites offered us valuable insights beyond the initial scope of our mission. From the preserved forests and coasts that reveal Ghana's geological richness to the historical narratives of the OSU Castle and museums detailing the slave trade era, each visit deepened our understanding of Ghana's complex heritage and current governance structures. The experience of Agbogbloshie, also referred to as the "trash mountain," known for its challenging living conditions due to electronic waste and fast fashion dumping, highlighted the urgent need for sustainable living practices and made us reflect on our mission and how it could extend to an area like this in the future.
In Ghana, the vibrant culture and unwavering spirit of its people, despite the prevalence of harsh living conditions, deeply touched us. The joy found in their music, dance, and interactions contrast with the challenges they face in daily life, notably the 25-30% malnutrition rate that leads to developmental stunting. This issue restricts many to physical labor due to the cognitive deficits stemming from inadequate nutrition during critical early life stages. In light of this, the importance of KOKO Plus®' mission—to supply important nutrients during the crucial 6 to 24 months of brain development—became even more apparent. We think there is a pathway to achieve both long-term economic growth and immediate health improvements think when combined with the government's commitment to basic education and program like KOKO Plus®.
Preserved savanna forest, coastal line and life in Agbogbloshie
Reflecting on our journey in Ghana with KOKO Plus®, it's clear that the intersection of nutrition, education, and community engagement forms the foundation of sustainable development. Our experiences highlight the significant effects that well-considered, locally relevant initiatives may have. As we proceed, the knowledge gained and relationships made during this internship enhance our academic and career trajectories. Last but not least, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the ICS’s Career Service Office (CSO) for their diligent efforts to support the implementation of the on-site process and steer this internship into fruition, nurturing our growth as global citizens committed to actionable change.
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Qianyi Ye Born in China, Qianyi grew up painting and has studied art for over a decade. After obtaining a dual bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Philosophy from Arizona State University, Qianyi joined Wendell Burnette Architects [WBA] in 2011, where she worked on award-winning projects with various teams on a variety of scales, for both the public and private sectors from different parts of the world. She has expanded her knowledge in different design fields, from buildings to interiors, furniture, graphics, and exhibitions. Qianyi searches for the chance to engage her artistic senses with varying types of creative teams and opens to the opportunity to learn and live in the broader world of art and design. While pursuing her MBA degree at Hitotsubashi ICS, she has developed an interest in digital transformation as well as the ethics and methodology of AI application across many domains. |
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K.C. Wang MBA candidate at Hitotsubashi ICS. Experienced Sales Engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the semiconductor and related industries, providing automation and Industrial 4.0 solutions. Currently focusing on SDGs and ESG topics, hold a Carbon Auditor certificate.
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