“Ogata heya” or cubicles? thoughts on sharing space
Japanese managers prefer staff to work in one large open room, Americans prefer cubicles, and some companies find a perfect hybrid...
Free Resources
Senpai & kohai: in Japan, experience is the best teacher
More than just mentor/mentee or senior/junior, the senpai/kohai relationship is the basic organizing feature in a Japanese company...
Japanese managers want subordinates to take the initiative
Japanese managers expect experienced staffers to be self-starters...
Japanese businesses: one big happy family? no. extended family? yes!
"Habatsu," or factions within a Japanese company cause internal competition among groups rather than individuals...
Genba shugi: see it with your own eyes
Japanese managers value investigating problems firsthand, going to the manufacturing floor if necessary...
When the going gets tough, the tough gaman
Putting up with difficulties versus speaking out about them -- contrasting approaches in Japanese and American businesses...
In Japan, much is said between the words…pay attention!
How to understand the grunts, sighs, hisses and hums that are a common part of Japanese conversation...
Junansei: the power of flexibility in Japan
A flexible attitude toward job responsibilities is essential to working successfully in Japan...
Multi national teambuilding: pomp, circumstance and t-shirts
Using the trappings of a team to help quickly build a team identity...
Why some Japanese people prefer British customer service!
Attitudes to differences in social status and power in Japan and the UK have a profound effect on customer service....