Listen "Masafumi Otsuka: Intercultural Facilitator & Japan Expert"
Episode Synopsis
This is a deep-dive into those mystifying Japanese business practices foreigners in Japan often struggle with. Intercultural Facilitator Masafumi Otsuka explains the frustrating Japanese business practice of "Why Japanese mangers change jobs every 3 years", and "Why they always see the glass as half empty". The periodic job rotation system and the risk adverse decision process is logically explained by Masa. This episode is filled with many cultural Japanese business concepts often misunderstood by Westerners such as Nemawashi, Genten Shugi, and Kyochosei and Masa explains these in an entertaining and enlightening way. He gets personal with his struggles of returning to Japan as a student, the politics of quitting a high profile job, and his being 1/3 Japanese, 1/3 American and 1/3 "Confused". Other highlights from our conversation:Why there is no Japanese word for "procrastinate"The unspoken rule for Japanese overseas returnee studentsThe priority in Japan is harmonizeWhat does an Intercultural Facilitator do?Best ever explanation of NemawashiThe subtle art of not having to tell everythingExpertise in Japan is 10ft. wide and 1inch deep while in the US its 1inch wide and 10ft. deepBest ever explanation of Genten Shugi Strategies for getting a positive outcome from Japanese meetingsThe reason Japanese prefer the process vs the outcomeMasafumi Otsuka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masafumiotsuka/More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jpGrow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jpJapan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.lifeUse the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts
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