Special Focus: Business Culture

Topics:

Despite Japan’s current economic uncertainties, it is still one of the world’s leading economic powers and it is a popular target for Western enterprises seeking to establish business partners. In order to successfully build a network of Japanese colleagues, proper observance of Japanese business protocol is vital, as one significant faux pas could offend your prospective business partners and cost you a lucrative business opportunity. To read more, please click on the link below: 

Business Meeting Protocol

Because of a wide range of historical, geographical and social factors, decision-making in Japan is a much more group-oriented activity than in Europe, and Japanese businessmen are as a result much more interested in preserving group harmony and ensuring as broad a consensus as possible rather than trying to reach a deal. Moreover Japanese conceptions of a deal itself are different to those in the west: Whereas in Europe we tend to view a deal as a firm commitment which must be honoured, the Japanese are more inclined to see a deal more as an intention within the context of a long term relationship, which is subject to changing circumstances and other factors. European entrepreneurs often initially find the Japanese negotiating style to be incredibly frustrating. However with the right knowledge and appreciation of the Japanese negotiation process, there is no reason why this should be an obstacle or deterrent EU SMEs investing in Japan. To find our more, please see below: 

Negotiation Process

e-Learning:

The objective of this presentation titled "Business Negotiations in Japan" to provide EU Businesses with concrete tools to conduct negotiations with Japanese business partners. Negotiation in itself is rarely an instinctive matter. It therefore requires training and thorough preparation. Negotiation in a different cultural context is all the more complex and therefore requires a specific focus. This presentation aims to provide EU Businesses with keys to prepare for the challenges they might face in their negotiations with Japanese counterparts. To access the materials, please click below:

Business Negotiations in Japan

This presentation titled "Challenges of the Japanese Market" addresses the various barriers to the Japanese Market from a cross-cultural perspective. Its objectives are threefold: To outline and explain the challenges and potential opportunities of the Japanese market, to address the practical issues involved in breaking into this market, and finally to give you some idea of what is expected of you by Japanese customers and business partners. To learn more, please click below:

Challenges of the Japanese Market

This presentation titled "Changes in Japanese Business Culture" provides an overview of recent trends and changes in Japan's business culture. It will address among other things: 1) The concept of Keiretsu and its role in Japanese business culture, 2) The current state of gender equality in Japan and how this may affect your relations with potential Japanese business partners, 3) The Japanese lifetime employment system and how this practice is increasingly being replaced by temporary contracts, and finally 4) Present and future challenges for Japan’s business culture. To access the presentation, please click on the following link: 

Changes in Japanese Business Culture

This presentation titled "Effective Collaboration with the Japanese" will introduce you to the various cultural and behavioural differences between Japanese and European cultures and how they may impact on your business dealings with Japan. You will gain an insight into Japanese management practices, decision making processes, and how to best collaborate with Japanese leadership and organisational structures. To learn more, please click below:

Effective Collaboration with the Japanese

The Japanese place a high level of value on etiquette and protocol during any type of business affairs. Hence, it is important to know how to behave and what to expect during a formal meeting with Japanese. Over the course of these five e-learning videos, you will learn basic Japanese business etiquette and the way Japanese people run their meetings. By familiarising yourselves with these e-learning videos, you will take a small but important step towards developing a trusted business relationship with Japanese counterparts. To watch the video, please click on the following link:

Japanese Business Realities

 Webinars:

This webinar was targeted to EU companies seeking to intensify their co-operation after first contacts are made and wishing to put the relationship with Japanese business partners on solid ground from the very start. To access the recording of this webinar, please see below:

Cross-cultural Issues: Getting in touch (Part 1)

This webinar is targeted to EU companies seeking to get prepared for a visit meeting with Japanese partners and to lear more about about the basic business etiquette and the Japanese communication and presentation styles. To access the recording of this webinar, please see below:

Cross-cultural Issues: A first encounter (Part 2)

The third part of the current cross cultural series titled Cross-cultural Issues: Following up and sustaining the relationship (Part 3) will take place on the 6th of November. The webinar is targeted to EU companies seeking to deepen and consolidate their first contacts with Japanese business partners. To register, please click on the following link: 

Cross-cultural Issues: Following up and sustaining the relationship (Part 3)

The final part of our current cross cultural series titled Cross-cultural Issues: Negotiations and closing the deal (Part 4) will take place on the 4th of December. The webinar is targeted to EU companies seeking to learn the key elements for successful negotiations with Japanese business partners. For further information and to register, please click on the following link:

Cross-cultural Issues: Negotiations and closing the deal (Part 4)