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Americans should try to avoid thinking that everyone in the world wants to be exactly like them and always following their lead. When one does business internationally, inevitably one...
Building and maintaining relationships with your Japanese colleagues, along with clearly written requests containing background information, options, and labeling your key issues, will help them respond to your inquiry....
Within the same culture, individuals vary as to what they find motivating. Finding motivators that work for the individual and understanding the culturally-determined aspects of motivation will...
Japanese don’t have the custom of maintaining eye contact with the person who is talking. They believe that by closing their eyes, they can hear more effectively, because they...
Due to their struggles using and understanding the English language, Japanese often get exhausted trying to express themselves, and give up before they have communicated all the necessary information. ...
Did you know that Japanese women are less likely to get annual gynecological exams than American women? And that annual gynecological checkups are not covered by Japanese health insurance?...
Once processes and attitudes are internalized, workers voluntarily carry out the 5S activities without having to be reminded. Shitsuke means not just following the rules, but using the brain...
Seiketsu standardization gives a systematic, consistent approach for getting tasks done. A system that maintains and supports ongoing and consistent seiri, seiton and seiso activities....
Well-implemented seiso programs also have long-term benefits when it comes to employee morale. Not only are workplaces cleaner and more efficient, but caring for equipment on a daily basis increases...
Organizing. Set all necessary items in a neat orderly fashion so that they can be located and retrieved safely and quickly. Determining where and when items are needed, and placing...