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In Japan, much is said between the words…pay attention!

Articles, Cross-cultural communication by Rochelle Kopp

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How to understand the grunts, sighs, hisses and hums that are a common part of Japanese conversation...

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Junansei: the power of flexibility in Japan

Articles, Careers, HR management, Japanese business keywords by Rochelle Kopp

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A flexible attitude toward job responsibilities is essential to working successfully in Japan...

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Multi national teambuilding: pomp, circumstance and t-shirts

Articles, Global management, Meetings by Rochelle Kopp

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Using the trappings of a team to help quickly build a team identity...

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Why some Japanese people prefer British customer service!

Articles, Customer service, Europe by Pernille Rudlin

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Attitudes to differences in social status and power in Japan and the UK have a profound effect on customer service....

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In Japan hierarchy is no malarky

Articles, HR management, Japanese business, Japanese society by Rochelle Kopp

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Keep a close eye on hierarchy when meeting Japanese colleagues, building teams, and creating rapport...

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Makaseru: carte blanche decision-making may be hazardous to your company

Articles, Global management, Japanese business keywords by Rochelle Kopp

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Japanese companies allow latitude to subsidiary branches, which can make the corporation seem inconsistent...

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How do the Japanese put in their two cents? ringi!

Articles, Japanese business, Japanese business keywords by Rochelle Kopp

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Ringi: The mechanism Japanese companies use to create consensus and approve decisions...

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“Bottom-up” decision-making in Japan

Articles, Japanese business by Rochelle Kopp

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Japanese executives set general direction and strategy, but specific implementation bubbles up from below...

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Monotsukuri: valuing hand-craftsmanship in business

Articles, Japanese business, Japanese business keywords by Rochelle Kopp

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Monotsukuri is the philosophical opposite of outsourcing and a source of pride in Japanese business...

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Japanese training 101: keep your eyes open with minarai

Articles, Japanese business keywords, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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Training in Japan often involves learning by watching -- "minarai" -- rather than by classroom instruction...

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