For Americans who are used to a more straightforward style, kishotenketsu can be very confusing…It can be hard to follow what Japanese have to say as they go on and...
You ascertain the needs of people by paying careful attention to them, and understand their desires before they even need to voice them…to comport yourself in such a way that...
Ho-ren-so is quite different from this typical American working style. The initial instruction given to the subordinate tends to be vaguer and more general, particularly if the subordinate is...
Human resource management practices in Japan seem to place great emphasis on putting employees into categories. From an American perspective, the strict distinction between different categories is difficult to...
The typical Japanese urban denizen takes trains nearly everywhere, and may not even own a car. This means that anything they carry around with them needs to be light...
Traditionally, the consumption of alcohol has been the Japanese cultural signal that it’s ok to be frank and open. After-work bonding over alcohol thus creates the perfect atmosphere for...
No Japanese companies operate exactly the same and every company has its own way of saving precious resources and avoiding waste. The purpose of a Japanese cross-company initiative is...
When considering applying for a job in a foreign firm, understanding some of the differences between Japanese and Western business cultures will benefit both yourself and your employer. Two of...
Many Japanese firms are experiencing some difficulty when they attempt to localize key management positions. They are not confident in the capabilities of their locally hired managers, not sure...
Japanese companies often fail to appreciate the unique aspects of Mexican culture. The result, many Japanese firms experience high turnover and other problems in their Mexican operations. These can be...