Nintendo’s 98% staff retention rate means the average employee has been there 15 years

Company Retention and Knowledge Transfer - Nintendo has an impressive employee retention rate of 98%, with Japanese employees averaging 15 years at the company, significantly higher than the average tenure in Japan (11 years) and the U.S. (4 years) [1] - The long tenure of employees allows for the transfer of institutional knowledge, with key figures like Shuntaro Furakawa and Shigeru Miyamoto having decades of experience at Nintendo [2] Innovation and Adaptability - Despite the risk of becoming stagnant due to reliance on institutional knowledge, Nintendo successfully combines this knowledge with fresh ideas, allowing for a continuous pipeline of innovative games [3] - The company has faced its share of failures but maintains a competitive position in the video game industry against larger rivals like Sony and Microsoft [3] Positive Employee Sentiment - Former employees of Nintendo express positive sentiments about their experiences, highlighting the opportunity to work with talented designers and learn valuable lessons in game design [4] - This goodwill may stem from Nintendo's stable work environment, which contrasts with the industry's typical volatility [4] Unique Business Approach - Nintendo continues to create games in a manner distinct from its competitors, emphasizing its unique approach to game development [5]