Business Karaoke Podcast with Brittany Arthur

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we are joined by Daiki Nakajima. Daiki leads two initiatives for JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organisation; he leads their Invest Japan division, and Japan - US bilateral relationships. We dive into insights and a success story around bilateral investment and international expansion all rooted in over a decade of experience. To me, Daiki, represents the future leadership potential of a JETRO leader. He is, for what you may consider for a 'traditional' Japanese government employee, extremely young and as a New Jersey native, Daiki is perfectly positioned to leverage his bilingual and bicultural abilities to lead the dialogue around creating an open innovation ecosystem in Japan.Thank you to Daiki who not only so generously donated his time but for his commitment and contribution to moving the needle for foreign companies to do business in Japan.If you enjoy this episode as much as I did make sure to let me know on your favourite social media platform.Let's begin!Key Takeaways:💡 05:30 | Pivoting to a 'Work from Home' model as a government organisation in a COVID-19 hotspot.💡09:45 | Changing landscape of investment and business expansion between US-Japan in the decade 2010 - 2020.💡17:30 | Government of Japan Implementing technology and policy changes in response market needs.💡19:35 | Success Story; inbound marketing startup, Hubspot, goes to Japan.💡27:17 | What are the "gaps" around doing business in Japan and how can we navigate them.💡36:38 | Lessons from COVID-19 in diversifying your supply chain.💡43:00 | Benefits of working with JETRO and why you should look outside Tokyo.💡53:00 | Telling your story as a Japanese company expanding to the US and other insights.💡58:23 | Don't expect to sell your product on the first day as a US company and expanding to Japan and other insights. 💡1:09:20 | Reverse engineering bilateral success with research as entrepreneurs. To find out more about Daiki or JETRO, connect with him on LinkedIn.---About this PodcastThe Business Karaoke Podcast, sponsored by Design Thinking Japan, modernizes the dialogue around doing business in and with Japan for the modern global leader. Through sharing stories of both failure and success, we give global leaders with a passion for Japan, and Japanese leaders with a passion for the global market, the tools they need to operate more effectively and with impact.

Send us Fan MailThe Business Karaoke Podcast, sponsored by Design Thinking Japan, modernizes the dialogue around doing business in and with Japan for the modern global leader. Through sharing stories of both failure and success, we give global leaders with a passion for Japan, and Japanese leaders with a passion for the global market, the tools they need to operate more effectively and with impact.In this episode we a joined by Shotaro Uehara, Head of Japan Marketing at Dropbox. Uehara-san is a marketing pioneer with history of successful product launches and marketing initiatives for the Japanese market. Uehara-san not only shares with us his industry insights about leveraging cloud technologies in Japan, especially in our post COVID-19 world, but also the ups and downs of building an international presence in Japan for Dropbox. Thank you so much to Uehara-san who so generously donated his time to share his experience not only as a professional but as a person.Let's begin!🇯🇵 💡 02:00 | Working in Japan at foreign company after growing up in US and the perceived risk joining a "startup." 💡 12:10 | Strategies on leveraging cloud tools to better collaborate with a foreign HQ as a Japanese subsidiary.💡 16:50 | The changing consumer profile from the initial launch in 2017 to 2020 and our post COVID-19 world.💡 23:50 | Building confidence and managing fear in customers reluctant to adopt cloud technology.💡 28:10 | Supporting Kumamoto Prefecture in their shift to cloud technologies. 💡 30:50 | The wider societal benefits of cloud technologies and how it can transform people's lives.💡 34:50 | Taking a 'crawl, walk, run' approach to cloud technologies and digital transformation in Japan.🇬🇧💡 38:45 | Leveraging cloud technologies to drive collaboration with your colleagues and clients in JapanTo find out more about Uehara-san, follow him on LinkedIn.Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and comments on social media!

Send us Fan MailThe Business Karaoke Podcast, sponsored by Design Thinking Japan, modernizes the dialogue around doing business in and with Japan for the modern global leader. Through sharing stories of both failure and success, we give global leaders with a passion for Japan, and Japanese leaders with a passion for the global market, the tools they need to operate more effectively and with impact.In this episode we are joined by Joshua Flannery, CEO of Rainmaking Innovation Japan. Josh describes their work as unleashing the power of entrepreneurship to solve big problems with the world’s leading companies. We dive into Rainmaking’s flagship program, Startupbootcamp Scale Osaka, an equity-free innovation program for high growth Smart City companies to expand globally, increase their revenues, and access significant funding opportunities in Japan, the world’s 3rd largest economy.This conversation is full of Josh’s insights on leveraging and building global networks in Japan, managing uncertainty in Japanese investors, the unique incumbent innovation approach in Japan and how accelerator programs such as SBC are working to solve the innovation "chicken and egg" problem in Japan.If you’re interested or know someone who may be interested in applying to this world class program, then download the deck here.I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did and don’t forget to share your feedback with me on your favourite social platform. Below is the list of our conversation so you can quickly navigate to find what is most relevant for you.💡02:22 | Leveraging & building global networks in Japan💡07:30 | Managing uncertainty in Japanese investors and incumbent innovation 💡13:36  Startupbootcamp Osaka and solving the innovation "chicken and egg" problem in Japan.💡21:08 | The flow on positives outcomes of the SBC Osaka success stories in the wider business community in Japan.💡26:04 | What's next for Japan and Startupbootcamp in the wake of COIVD.A big thank you to Joshua for so generously donating his time and a big thank you to you, the listener!---More about Joshua here:Joshua has just under 20 years of global business experience including being selected as Director of the largest startup hub in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney Startup Hub launching programs for it’s 480 startup residents in Sydney, as the initiator of one of Australia’s first university based startup programs, supporting over 700 startups since driving it’s launch at the University of New South Wales in 2012 and earlier as an entrepreneur and Managing Director of StudyLink株式会社, conceiving and launching a publication in Japan with a circulation of 480,000. Later he founded the Innovation Dojo, a company specifically connecting Japan and Australia by innovation, serving clients including Hitachi, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Kyushu University. Born and raised in Sydney and currently based in Osaka, Joshua has strong experience with designing and executing programs that connect startups and scaleups to international markets, including the US, China and Japan.  In his current role as Managing Director of Rainmaking Innovation Japan, Joshua has designed and led a team in executing a customised Proof of Concept program for seven large Japanese corporations including Japan's largest bank, the world's 3rd largest advertising firm, Japan's largest newspaper publisher and two of Japan's largest real estate and transport conglomerates.  Joshua has been invited as a public speaker on topics related to innovation ecosystems, cross-border entrepreneurship,and st

Send us Fan MailThe Business Karaoke Podcast, sponsored by Design Thinking Japan, modernizes the dialogue around doing business in and with Japan for the modern global leader. Through sharing stories of both failure and success, we give global leaders with a passion for Japan, and Japanese leaders with a passion for the global market, the tools they need to operate more effectively and with impact.In this episode we are joined by the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo, Catherine O’Connell. Catherine O’Connell is Principal Founder and CEO of her own boutique, secondment-based flexible NewLaw firm, Catherine O’Connell Law which she founded in 2018. In this conversation, she takes us on her journey from success as an in-house lawyer for companies such as; Panasonic, Olympus and Mitsubishi Motors to her now role of entrepreneur and CEO. We explore her innovative contributions to the business community. We’ll dive deeper into the concept of a legal health check and her belief that a healthy lawyer makes a happy lawyer.I hope you enjoy this episode as much as did!Below is the list of our conversation so you can quickly navigate to find what is most relevant for you.💡 07:35 | Catherine's initial connection to Japan.💡 12:50 | Gaining trust as a foreign lawyer in Japan and becoming more than a Japanese speaker. 💡 16:30 | How to drive effectively drive the business perspective as an in-house lawyer when there is no rule book💡 23:35 | Essentials for doing business in Japan and how mistakes may not be as bad as initially thought.💡 27:30 | Recognizing a gap in the market and delivering an innovative service in Japan💡 41:10 | A legal health check and how businesses of all sizes benefit of knowing their "legal health."💡 49:05 | Regulation as barrier to business development and the shift when Japan's hand is forced.💡 56:42 | Getting involved in a community and re-designing the workplace.A big thank you to Catherine and a big thank you to you, the listener!---Read more about Catherine below or over at her website.Catherine O’Connell is Principal Founder and CEO of her own boutique, secondment-based flexible NewLaw firm, Catherine O’Connell Law. In 2018, she not only became the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo in 2018 but also was a finalist in the British Chamber British Business Awards in the Entrepreneur of the Year category. Catherine has been in Japan 17 years working primarily in In House roles at Panasonic, Olympus and Mitsubishi Motors as well as a Senior Associate at Hogan Lovells Law Firm in the Tokyo and London offices and 10+ years in New Zealand in private practice. Catherine is passionate about giving back to the community and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of Japan and Chair of the Legal Services & IP Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan as well as an active Entrepreneur member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan. Catherine also mentors law students and lawyers, speaks on panels and to students embarking on law careers. She believes healthy lawyers make happy lawyers and is focused on lawyer wellness and flexible working. Catherine has double degree in Japanese and Law, and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand (1995) and England & Wales (2009). She is a Foreign Registered Lawyer in Japan the Tokyo Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association.

Send us Fan MailThe Business Karaoke Podcast exists to modernize the dialogue around doing business in and with Japan for the modern global leader. Through sharing stories of both failure and success, we give global leaders with a passion for Japan, and Japanese leaders with a passion for the global market, the tools they need to operate more effectively and with impact.Thought leadership reports, "Japan Rebooted" and "Unlocking Japan's Potential" by PwC are perfect examples of this kind of conversation. In this episode we have the lead author, Jason Hayes, walk us through the business case for culture, Japanese investment strategy and building attractive organisations for today's talent. Jason is the leader of PwC's Japan practice in the Asia region (ex Japan), a financial assurance partner based in Sydney and non-executive Director with Foundation for Australia-Japan Studies (FAJS). Below is the list of our conversation so you can quickly navigate and find what is most relevant for you.💡 08:05 | Are you paying attention to the culture? 空気を読みます。 💡 16:50 | Japan's long term play and "Goodwill Capital" in South East Asia 💡 21:35 | Insights from "Unlocking Japan's Potential." Including; attracting talent in 2020 and challenges of merit based performance management in Japan. 💡 30:47 | Successfully creating bi-lateral relationships and the different approaches to foreign investment. 💡 38:50 | The role of accelerators in Japan and impact of leveraging complementary businesses. 💡 45:05 | Developing levels of "business literacy" both in Australia and Japan to take this relationship to the next level.If you'd like to know more about Jason, connect with him on LinkedIn or read more below.A big thank you to Jason and a big thank you to you, the listener!---Jason Hayes is the leader of PwC’s Asia Pacific Japan Practice (ex-Japan). He is a Financial Assurance Partner and has more than 28 years of international experience providing assurance and advisory services to companies in a wide variety of industry sectors, particularly Entertainment & Media, Technology and Retail & Consumer. He has assisted both Australian & US companies from various sectors with market entry plans into Japan and similarly, he has assisted Japanese companies with market entry plans into Australia and Asia. Jason recently spent 8 years on secondment with PwC in Japan up until January 2015 and he is an active member of the Australia Japan Business Cooperation Committee. He is the lead author of PwC’s “Japan Rebooted” series, “Unlocking Japan’s Potential” report and “Our Diaspora’s Got Talent: Australia’s advantage in Asia” report. Jason is a regular commentator in the media and presenter at forums on Japanese trade and investment in Australia. Jason is a Board Member of Foundation for Australia-Japan Studies (FAJS), which is an initiative supported by DFAT and Rio Tinto that promotes collaboration between academic institutions, industry and government in Australia and Japan. 

Send us Fan MailOur "new normal" requires us to build robust ecosystems of collaboration and innovation. We'll need to see partnerships between government and the private sector, as well as, between nations, like never before.  There is no-one more equipped to lead us through the conversation around about building partnerships of diverse perspectives than, Sally Townsend. Sally leads South Australia's trade and investment office to Japan and Korea a currently serves as chair of the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ANZCCJ), working to support the business communities of these two countries in Japan. Below is the list of our conversation so you can quickly navigate and find what is most relevant for you.--04:23 Working in COVID-19 and Zoom-Tsukare ズーム疲れ.07:03 Early Days in Japan and first encounters with the "No Wall."15:37 Memories of working in a traditional company.17:40 The role of mentors and life after university.20:15 A new opportunity for wine in Japan.  23:18 Challenges of innovation in a conservative market like wine in Japan.28:00 Different stages of acceptance in Japan for Japanese speaking foreigners.29:38: Building relationships in Japan on your terms.31:42 Getting involved in the ANZCCJ (Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce).39:50: Leveraging the ANZCCJ as a small business.45:10 Next steps for leading trade and investment between Japan and South Australia post COVID-19.50:29 How to move past the "No Wall."--Find out more about Sally and the ANZCCJ on their Website or Facebook page.

Send us Fan MailThis episode of the Business Karaoke Podcast is a first - it is our first episode in Japanese!The Business Karaoke exists to modernize the conversations around doing business in and with Japan. In order to be authentic to that promise we need to explore today's pressing topics of innovation, people and technology from both sides and in both languages. To premier our Japanese dialogue, we were joined by Junji Matsuguma. Junji is cross-products systems architect at IBM, utilizing customer workshops about IT infrastructure optimization, hybrid cloud, IT economics study and Design Thinking for customer's digital transformation. I had the pleasure of getting to know Junji through our mutual interest of evangelizing Design Thinking among Japanese clients. Below is the list of our conversation so you can quickly navigate and find what is most relevant for you.00:53 An introduction to Junji | 自己紹介02:55 Working at home during COVID-19 | 新型コロナウイルスの時期で在宅で仕事をすること。08:30 Tips for video conferencing | ビデオカンファレンスのチッピス。13:56 Changes in the IT industry | ITインダストリーの変化。18:00 Role of Design Thinking | デザインシンキングの役割。20:15 How are traditional Japanese companies responding to Design Thinking? | 日本の伝統的な会社はデザインシンキングを受けれるでしょうか？23:41 Junji's personal 'wow' points of Design Thinking | 個人的にデザインシンキングのいいポイント。27:55 Benefits of Design Thinking with customers | お客さんとデザインシンキングの利益。38:00 The world after COVID-19 | 新型コロナウイルス後の世界。46:50 Hopes for the future| 将来の希望。As usual, a big thank you to YOU for listening and an even bigger thank you to Junji for his time.-- Read more on Junji Matsuguma before or connect with him on LinkedIn. Junji joined IBM in 1988 and worked as a hardware engineer for product development from gate array modules to IBM PCs and ThinkPads. Junji changed his role to pre-sales technical specialist for engineering workstation and blade servers. He now works as cross-products systems architect utilizing customer workshops about IT infrastructure optimization, hybrid cloud, IT economics study and Design Thinking for customer's digital transformation.His hobby is handcraft. He is learning “relieur”, or book binding in traditional European way from 2005 and now in advanced course.

Send us Fan MailThe Business Karaoke exists to lead and inspire unconventional conversations around business and innovation in Japan. By sharing these bi-lateral stories, we aim evoke confidence in today's global professionals in expanding their businesses to Japan, as well as, elevating Japan as a viable place for a meaningful career for global professionals. In this episode, we are joined by Akio Fujii, an independent Management Consultant specializing in bi-lateral strategic corporate transformations. I was eager to have Akio share insights on bi-lateral and bi-lingual business turnarounds as he is one of the, if not THE, most competent a global professionals leading change in a modern world.If you're leading strategic corporate transformation with a complex network of stakeholders or experiencing challenges in mobilizing your Japanese team, this is the episode for you!This episode experience is enhance with the accompanying slideshow. Please download the slides here.Here are the show notes for you to find exactly what you are looking for... FAST.01:30    Introduction to Akio 03:15    Shinzo Abe's babysitting career04:30    Being bi-lingual are tools not weapons07:35    5 elements differentiating Japanese and American culture12:59    How to recognize these 5 elements in the workplace19:50.   Cycles of business in Japan and the West, inspired by Ray Dalio24:28    The Problem vs. Responsibility dichotomy in Japan and 25:26    Why this can lead to your Japanese partners hiding problems27:23.   Why Japanese baseball aim for a batting average over 300 29:25    Case 1: Resolving USJ’s Traffic Problem53:28    Case 2: Merger of gaming companies, Bandai and Namco1:04:32 Case 3: Turnaround of Namco’s US Subsidiary1:16:56 Reflecting on the influence of COVID-19 in a business context1:23:27 Hopes for the future for Japan, a Japanese perspective A big thank you to you, the listener, and to Akio Fujii.Akio is a principled and capable M&A, PMI, and turnaround specialist. Connect with or learn more about Akio on linkedin.com/in/akiofujii.

Send us Fan MailThe Business Karaoke exists to lead and inspire unconventional conversations around business and innovation in Japan. By sharing these bi-lateral stories, we aim evoke confidence in today's global professionals in expanding their businesses to Japan, as well as, elevating Japan as a viable place for a meaningful career for global professionals. In this week's episode, Anthony-James Owen, founder of Guerrilla Marketing Group,  shares his journey from student of karate and zen to founding a global marketing and sales firm. Join us as we explore the life lessons that exist in karate, zen and business.00:34 An introduction to Anthony, his connection with karate and a surprise visit from his cat, Jack!06:20 Studying in Japan as a foreign karate student in 1980.09:39 Convincing your parents to let you travel alone before the age of the internet.13:43 The extreme of modern Japan and ancient Japan.18:59 Lessons from living in a Zen monastery.28:02 Transitioning from Zen to career in IT.33:12 Translatable Zen and karate skills for a successful sales career35:45 One call can change your priorities39:45 Building a business inspired by a life in Zen and karate44:38 Zen lens on for today's managers50:42 The benefits of teaching children one of the Japanese martial arts and implementing a simple meditation practice in your life_________More on Anthony-James OwenI started my education in Karate being age 5 and a half years old in 1969. First as a Judoka but moving fast into one of the first Karate classes in Germany. My formal Karate education had a first major milestone when I was allowed to run my first classes on my own as a 2. Kyu starting at age 13. I went into numerous Karate competitions and won regional and national championships in the Kumite section of the tournaments. At tis time I did spent 6 days a week to improve my Karate skills.After being selected to fight for the German national team (youngsters) I was intensively prepared by the national coach - which was Sensei Hideo Ochi at the time and later also by Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki. I was invited to go to Japan and study Karate Do there in 1980. After coming back to Germany to finish high school I won the Youngster European Championship and went back to Japan in 1982 for another 1,5 years. Coming back from Japan in 1982 I started to fight in one of the first professional Karate leagues in the UK and retired offically as a competitor in 1988 because of my demaninding job in the IT industry. But never stopped training in Karate since then.Now, in 2020 the Karate-Do is part of my life for more than 51 years now. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn.

Send us Fan MailThe Business Karaoke Podcast exists to lead unconventional business conversations in Japan. In this episode Dex van Hunen, marketing lead for IWC Japan, shares his insights about marketing in Japan and the psyche of the Japanese customer, particularly in the segment of luxury goods. Dex is the definition of a modern global marketer; he harmonizes a deep empathy for the Japanese customer, fluency in technology and a handful of  languages, seven to be exact!If you're into marketing and into Japan, you'll love this episode. I've created a minute by minute breakdown of our conversation in the description box so you can maximize your time. 1:30 Dex's Japan Story and how languages5:29 Reflections on living in Japan in 2004 and 2020 6:54 The "Gaijin" Card9:12 Benefits as Tokyo as city for global professionals  11:05 Characteristics of the Japanese customer13:55 What makes an effective marketing story in Japan?16:05 Strategies for new brands to effectively tell their story in Japan18:18 Adapting your global strategy when launching in Japan 21:13 Legacy marketing in Japan and how traditional is still very much alive24:32 Navigating a slow pace environment as a fast mover26:00 Breaking down barriers by leveraging the Japanese love for Tom Cruise 28:25 Proof that Japanese customers are developing a taste for innovative marketing 29:19 Cultivating trusted parters from scratch and brand leverage in Japan31:30 "The Match" for successful storytelling in Japan33:20 How to market your way out of a scandal in Japan 37:29 A product over brand focus as step 1 post scandal.38:26 Why the Japanese customer and the love for the next best food spot42:03 2 year projection on how luxury brands can remain revenant 45:55 Lessons from the past and marketing luxury goods in a world of TikTok and geo-targeting 50:10 Motivation behind passion for marketing in Japan.A big thank you to you and to Dex for his insights on marketing in Japan. Connect with Dex on LinkedIn or Instagram.