When wanting to convince someone Japanese to do something in accordance with American customs or commonly-accepted practices, I find that it’s useful to assume that they are not necessarily familiar...
The care you put into restaurant selection will be appreciated by your Japanese guests, as food is such an important part of Japanese culture and business socializing.. If your...
The Japanese excel at indirect communication, they do it though extreme tact and understatement, rather than irony. When they listen to Americans, the Japanese tend to believe our words and...
American managers in the same situation would likely call a meeting to introduce themselves, Japanese often prefer to keep a low profile and get to know the organization more organically....
It’s the job of the company to provide the employee with all skills and explanations and information that they need to do their jobs well. So why should anyone...
Using the Ho Ren So system to keep in close communication with the Japanese may seem time-consuming, but it will increase their trust in your decision-making ability…by not fixing everything...
It is hard to overestimate this aspect of Japanese culture, particularly since it differs so completely from the experience of most Westerners. For a great many generations, the Japanese have...
In Japan, the lunch break is Noon to 1:00pm. All work stops and everyone goes to lunch at the same time…Americans work at their desks through lunch or get their...
Our tips on how to nemawashi (build consensus) with Japan headquarters when you can't be there....
Non-Japanese employees of Japanese firms frequently mention the penchant that many Japanese managers have for public criticism. Whereas Americans would prefer to receive negative feedback in private, Japanese seem...