omotenashi

Meet a true Hospitality Professional. Mr. Matthias Sutter, the Rep. Director of Shangri-La Hotels Japan and the GM of the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo.  We discuss Japanese customer service, how different nationalities have different hospitality expectations, his two requirements for anyone to succeed in the hotel business, and how starting off in Food & Beverage helped craft his strong sense of hospitality.  We also talk Trip Advisor, hotel rankings, and the guest comments he likes the most.  If you are curious about how luxury hotel GM's think, practice, and teach customer service and hospitality, this episode is a must-listen. Other topics we cover:

• Why hotels are an "El Dorado" for customer service
• The three topics to never discuss with hotel guests
• Different cultures have different interpretations of hospitality
• Japanese service vs. other Asian countries
• Preparations for the Shangri-La Kyoto opening
• Guest comments which led to innovative and successful promotions
• Hotel "brands" have separate DNA, thus some customer focus differences   
• Japanese "guest comment" tendencies
• The Free Unsolicited Business Idea   

The Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo: https://www.shangri-la.com/tokyo/shangrila/

Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

More Now and Zen Japan episodes: https://www.nowandzen.jp/

Deanna Elstrom is a veteran brand marketer, brand strategist, and consumer insights specialist. She started her own consulting business, Somi Insights, three years ago where she combines her love of branding with a fascination of how culture influences human behavior. The Japanese consumer is a key area of Deanna's expertise where she led two major agencies before starting Somi Insights.  We discuss the the Japanese name "Somi" which she coined, we learn the big difference between "insights" and "findings", great examples of how culture influences behavior in Japan, a cultural analysis into why Japan is ranked #58 on the Global Happiness Index, and stories of her first experience in Japan as a teenager and how this  crafted her Japan journey. Other topics we cover:

• The meaning of "Somi", a made-up Japanese word
• Japan and the dilemma of happiness
• The difference Somi Insights brings to the Japan market
• Findings vs. Insights explanation with examples
• Omotenashi and Sustainability balance
• She questions my Japan kitchenware market "insights"  
• Interesting Japan beauty market discoveries 
• Her favorite untranslatable Japanese word = Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu
• The Japanese and Western interpretation of what "home" is
• "The researcher is the consumer voice, keep the consumer voice as a superpower"  

Somi Insights home page: http://somiinsights.com
Deanna Elstrom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-elstrom

Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Our guest today is Erina Yoshida, the owner of Angel’s Share in New York. She joined us in Episode 165 and shared her unique life story as a daughter of Tony Yoshida, the powerful figure behind New York’s thriving Japanese food culture. 

Now, four years later, she herself is a successful business owner and the leader of the amazing team at Angel’s Share in Manhattan. 

If you are a cocktail fan in New York, you must have heard of Angel’s Share. Founded in the East Village, Manhattan, in 1993, the bar was famous for epitomizing the classic style of Japanese cocktail culture. 

Unfortunately, in March 2022, the bar was closed due to financial hardships caused by the pandemic and many of us thought Angel’s Share had become a part of history. 

But now, the bar is celebrating its comeback in the West Village, Manhattan, thanks to Erina. 

In this episode, we will discuss the history of the legendary Angel’s Share, why it was so influential to American cocktail culture, why Erina courageously decided to rebuild it without her father’s support, what she learned from the boot camp experience as a business owner in the process of the reopening of the bar, what you should drink at the new Angel’s Share, and much, much more!

Photo Courtesy of Keiichiro Nakajima.

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Japan Eats by becoming a member!

Japan Eats is Powered by Simplecast.

This episode we discuss fashion in Japan and premium dog food. Not two topics often mentioned in the same sentence, but very related to today's guest Mr. Loic Bizel. Loic started his own fashion consulting business in Tokyo nearly 30 years ago and runs two very successful fashion related websites (see links in the notes below). He was one of the co-founders of the fashion "flash sales" site Gladd.jp in 2009. He's referred to as a "Trendspotter" and "Cool Hunter" by the media and is considered one of the utmost foreign experts on Japanese fashion trends. In 2017 he started a new DTC business focused on premium dog food. Using his experience in eCommerce, spotting new "trends", and understanding the Japanese psyche, "Leo & Lea" specializes in a growing niche for organic pet food with a unique customer experience. This is another insightful and fun listening episode. Other topics we cover:

• Fashion in Japan is about being part of a community
• Why Japanese prefer to spend on fashion over home improvement
• How fashion trends start in Japan
• The role and importance of "Select Shops"
• How the Japanese fashion market has changed in the past 30 years
• The Moncler story of how puffer jackets went from niche to BOOM in Japan
• Defining Fashionable vs. Trendy
• Why Tokyo is the best fashion capital in the world
• Dogs in Japan are treated as family members
• Why Japanese are happy to pay a premium for organic dog food
• In Japan you are not a pet "owner" you are referred to as a pet "parent"
• Favorite Japanese word (Shoganai)

Loic Bizel: https://lebiz-consulting.com
Fashion In Japan: https://fashioninjapan.com
Leo & Lea Premium Dog Food: https://leoandlea.com
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode I speak with Brendhan Kelly, the Hospitality Communication Manager for the Tysons Group of restaurants. Tysons is most well known for Ivy Place, Cicada, Smokehouse, and the iconic TY Harbor Brewery in Tennozu Isle. If you have dinned at any of these restaurants you were most likely impressed with the unique level of personalized hospitality. This is a direct result of Brendhan's input and influence. We discuss Tysons brand of "Global Hospitality" and how he trains and imparts this with staff and mentors and empowers them to become "experience creators".  You will also hear about how after years of consulting work, he suddenly switched careers in his mid-40's, walked into a Tysons restaurant and said "I want to work here". Other highlights from our conversation:

• The difference between "Service" and "Hospitality"
• A story about entertaining 350 South Africans during the rugby World Cup 
• How he empowers staff to give personalized service
• Pet peeve about restaurants in Japan
• The big break which catapulted him to his current position
• Mentoring techniques to teach better hospitality
• The best compliment he could ever receive
• The story behind the IPA name
• How his father's business and childhood influenced his interest in hospitality
• The one establishment which has better hospitality than his chain
• How hospitality affects the bottom line in the restaurant business

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life
Brendhan Kelly: https://www.tysons.jp/en/recruit/interview-brendan
Tysons & Company: https://www.tysons.jp/en/about

This episode I sit down with Katsura Sunshine, the only Western Rakugo Master Storyteller in the world and only the 2nd in the history of traditional Japanese Rakugo. He shares his fascinating journey from Canadian playwright and musical producer to Master Japanese Rakugo Storyteller.  We dive into the details of his three-year apprenticeship, the hardships and rewards. How he became an international Rakugo ambassador not only on Off-Broadway but around the world. Toward the end of the podcast we even get to hear a short traditional Rakugo story translated into English. Other topics we discuss: 

• The genius story behind why his Master made him bleach his hair blond
• Why he does not localize the traditional Rakugo stories when presenting in English
• How he got his first big break to internationalize Rakugo
• The differences between stand-up comedy and Rakugo
• Indentured servitude for three years and menial jobs is part of the apprenticeship
• The real meaning and purpose behind the apprenticeship
• How he convinced his Master to take him as an apprentice
• New Yorkers reaction when seeing him in kimono in public
• Rakugo stories are very family friendly, but there is an "adult" version as well

Katsura Shinshine's Website: https://www.rakugo.lol

More Now and Zen episodes: https://www.nowandzen.jp/
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life
gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp

This updated and re-released episode we get into Hospitality and Retail with professional sales and leadership trainer Masako Yamamura.  We discuss Omotenashi possibly leading to world peace,  Bartenders are the most fun hospitality people, Commissions and culturally why Japanese avoid the system , Fortune-tellers, and the numerous differences and similarities between the retail and hospitality industries in Japan.  Other highlights from our conversation:

• What the hospitality industry could learn from the retail industry
• Her definition of "Omotenashi" and why she hated the Olympic O-MO-TE-NA-SHI presentation
• Using hospitality concepts in retail can differentiate your brand from competition
• Why a 5-star hotel experience in Japan is not as positive vs. overseas
• Why Japanese "Just In Case" mentality holds back true hospitality
• Least popular jobs for todays Japanese youth
• Her pessimism regarding the future of Japan
• A story about a fortune-teller's shocking but reaffirming message

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
My Solutions https://www.my-solutions.jp
Masako Yamamura
https://www.linkedin.com/in/masako-yamamura-88060517/

Connecting International Curiosity with Japanese Content with 34-year Japan entrepreneur Ruth Jarman. She is the founder of Jarman International and the author of six books in Japanese. We talk about these books, this content, and where her passion for Japan comes from. We also discuss "Reading the Air" and other non-verbal conversation traits in Japan, her top 3 cultural reasons Japanese are uniquely wonderful, and how her new corporate partner is helping solve the nightmare for foreigners that is banking in Japan. She is full of infectious energy and together we share stores laughs, unique insights, and a couple beers at The Rigoletto in Shibuya. Other highlights from our conversation:

• Why Japanese are comfortable in being "under the wire" or "avoiding the limelight"
• "Taking it to a higher level" or "Give one's All" is ingrained into Japanese psyche 
• How attracting foreigners is one part of the Japanese government's revitalization strategy for rural Japan
• Japan's extreme focus on the "long-term view" of everything
• Greatest accomplishment in her 34-years in Japan
• The fundamental Japanese concept of always "Being Watched"
• Chat about the year 1984, when we both graduated from school
• 7 of the top 10 denim companies in the world are from Japan

Jarman International https://www.jarman-international.com
Ruth Jarman https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthjarmanjapan/
All Ruth's books at Amazon ルース・ジャーマン

More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp

Grow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Cynthia Usui becomes the 1st ever return guest to the podcast. Less than a year ago, Cynthia was surviving as a part-time supermarket cashier after losing her high profile job, and now, she is the Japan Country manager for a new chain of small hotels in Tokyo! LOF Hotels. Once again  Cynthia has reinvented herself.  This episode you will hear this amazing story, why she initially turned down the hotel offer, how she's using her personal brand as a marketing tool, what is the business model of this brand new hotel chain, and how she is "paying it forward" by helping single mothers. We also discuss what she discovered about society, hardship, and why working as a part-time cashier gave her confidence . . . at 61 years of age. Other highlights from our conversation:

• How she found herself unemployed in late 2020
• The only 4 job categories available for 61 year olds in Japan
• Working as a cashier was the hardest new job she ever had to start
• Overcoming fear and lack of confidence
• The two "conditions" she requested before accepting the job offer
• How the LOF hotel keeps expenses low and unique marketing strategies
• Challenges and success stories of hiring stay at home moms
• Why becoming the Country Manager was important to her story
• How she is "paying it forward" and why this is an obligation and responsibility 
• Is being an author of three books profitable?
• Favorite and least favorite untranslatable Japanese words

LOF Hotel Shinbashi: https://shimbashi.lof-hotel.com/
Cynthia Usui: Cynthia Usui LinkedIn

More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp

Grow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Our guest is Tetsuya Yamashita, the only non-French garçon, or waiter, at Café de Flore in Paris. Café de Flore is one of the most iconic cafes in France. Garçon in France is different from a waiter in the US and Tetsuya exemplifies the difference in his outstanding style of service. To prove how distinctive he is, Tetsuya has been patronized by many regulars including the legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Also, he was invited by President François Hollande to the state dinner at the Élysée Palace when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Paris and got seated right next to the famed chef Alain Ducasse.   

There is a unique concept of service in Japan called Omotenashi and Tetsuya is practicing the idea of Omotenashi at the quintessential café in Paris. 

In this episode, we will discuss how Tetsuya got the job at Café de Flore in Paris and became the top garçon, his philosophy of hospitality, how he keeps refining himself to offer the greatest service possible to his guests, and much, much more!!!

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Japan Eats by becoming a member!

Japan Eats is Powered by Simplecast.

Deanna Elstrom is a veteran brand marketer, brand strategist, and consumer insights specialist. She has recently launched her own company called Somi Insights, where she combines her love of branding with a fascination of how culture influences human behavior. Japanese consumers is a key area of Deanna's expertise as she led two major agencies during the past seven years in Japan.  We discuss the the Japanese name "Somi" which she coined, we learn the big difference between "insights" and "findings", great examples of how culture influences behavior in Japan, a cultural analysis into why Japan is ranked #58 on the Global Happiness Index, and stories of her first experience in Japan as a teenager and how this  crafted her Japan journey. Other topics we cover:

• The meaning of "Somi", a made-up Japanese word
• Japan and the dilemma of happiness
• The difference Somi Insights brings to the Japan market
• Findings vs. Insights explanation with examples
• Omotenashi and Sustainability balance
• She questions my Japan kitchenware market "insights"  
• Interesting Japan beauty market discoveries 
• Her favorite untranslatable Japanese word = Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu
• The Japanese and Western interpretation of what "home" is
• "The researcher is the consumer voice, keep the consumer voice as a superpower"  

Somi Insights home page: http://somiinsights.com
Deanna Elstrom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-elstrom

Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Eric D'Ignazio is a 14-year Japan hospitality veteran who's resume includes InterContinental Hotels and the The Accor Group.  Eric has spent his entire professional life working in Japan and has had a very non-traditional hotel career path where he eventually became Representative Director at Accor for seven years. It seems his destiny was to work in hospitality as he got his start as a child working at his grandfather's Italian restaurant in Philadelphia. Eric recants the training and cultural insights gained from his career start with a very traditional Japanese company. We talk about his new company AssistINT he co-founded, focused on hospitality industry consulting and IT development for Japan market-entry.  And, we discover numerous mutual coincidences among our Japan journey, which leads to some interesting comments. Other topics we cover:

• Childhood lessons from working at his grandfathers Italian restaurant
• What makes Japanese hospitality the best in the world
• The "Omakase" mindset and guest expectations in Japan
• The difference between Omotenashi and Hospitality  
• Consistence and Courtesy - What foreign companies can learn from Japanese hospitality
• Predictions for the future of Japan 
• The challenges of hospitality recruiting and training and how to address this
• Tekizai Tekisho - the Japanese 4 character idiom explained
• The Free Unsolicited Business Idea   

AssistINT: https://www.assistint.com/
Eric D'Ignazio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dignazio/

Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Our guest is Sachiko Nakamichi who is the co-owner of Beniya Mukayu in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture.  Beniya Mukayu is a beautiful boutique hotel located in the famous hot spring area Yamashiro.  There are many hotels in the area but Mukayu is truly distinctive.  It has earned multiple accolades including the member status of Relais & Châteaux, which is regarded as the best of the best in the world of hospitality.  Not only that Mukayu was awarded the welcome trophy by Relais & Châteaux for its outstanding level of service.  

But the success did not happen overnight.  When Sachiko joined the hotel in 1988, it was a mediocre, mass market-oriented place to stay.  

In this episode, we will discuss why Sachiko got involved in the hotel business, how she miraculously transformed the unremarkable hotel to the world class house of hospitality, the concept of the Japanese style hospitality ""Omotenashi""  and much, much more!!!  

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Japan Eats by becoming a member!

Japan Eats is Powered by Simplecast.

Meet a true Hospitality Professional. Mr. Matthias Sutter, the Rep. Director of Shangri-La Hotels Japan and the GM of the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo.  We discuss Japanese customer service, how different nationalities have different hospitality expectations, his two requirements for anyone to succeed in the hotel business, and how starting off in Food & Beverage helped craft his strong sense of hospitality.  We also talk Trip Advisor, hotel rankings, and the guest comments he likes the most.  If you are curious about how luxury hotel GM's think, practice, and teach customer service and hospitality, this episode is a must-listen. Other topics we cover:

• Why hotels are an "El Dorado" for customer service
• The three topics to never discuss with hotel guests
• Different cultures have different interpretations of hospitality
• Japanese service vs. other Asian countries
• Preparations for the Shangri-La Kyoto opening
• Guest comments which led to innovative and successful promotions
• Hotel "brands" have separate DNA, thus some customer focus differences   
• Japanese "guest comment" tendencies
• The Free Unsolicited Business Idea   

The Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo: https://www.shangri-la.com/tokyo/shangrila/

Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Japan veteran and savvy businessman Seth Sulkin.  He is the founder of Pacifica Capital an international hotel developer and operator. He has also recently become a disruptor in the restaurant food delivery business with the launch of his new gourmet restaurant food delivery app Food-e. In this episode we learn all about this booming industry, why before Food-e high-end restaurants couldn't or wouldn't join delivery apps, and the innovations which convinced these reputable restaurants to sign on. As Seth states, "It's the quickest sell I've done in 35 years of doing business in Japan".  We also discuss developing hotels in Japan and the importance of overseeing all customer touch-points and the Instagram angle.  Other topics we cover:

• What led to the inception of Food-e
• The inside stories of food delivery apps and restaurant economics
• The problems with current food delivery apps and how Food-e solves them
• How Seth was able to convince high-end restaurants to join Food-e
• My crazy ideas on how to improve the Food-e experience
• Why Pacifica Capital only develops International Hotels
• The reason why "chairs" are so important 
• Unique ideas for instagram-able breakfasts
• Favorite Japanese word (Okamochi)

Seth Sulkin: Pacifica Capital
Food-e: https://www.food-e.co.jp
The Moxy Tokyo: Moxy Hotel Tokyo
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode we discuss fashion in Japan and premium dog food. Not two topics often mentioned in the same sentence, but very related to today's guest Mr. Loic Bizel. Loic started his own fashion consulting business in Tokyo nearly 30 years ago and runs two very successful fashion related websites (see links in the notes below). He was one of the co-founders of the fashion "flash sales" site Gladd.jp in 2009. He's referred to as a "Trendspotter" and "Cool Hunter" by the media and is considered one of the utmost foreign experts on Japanese fashion trends. In 2017 he started a new DTC business focused on premium dog food. Using his experience in eCommerce, spotting new "trends", and understanding the Japanese psyche, "Leo & Lea" specializes in a growing niche for organic pet food with a unique customer experience. This is another insightful and fun listening episode. Other topics we cover:

• Fashion in Japan is about being part of a community
• Why Japanese prefer to spend on fashion over home improvement
• How fashion trends start in Japan
• The role and importance of "Select Shops"
• How the Japanese fashion market has changed in the past 30 years
• The Moncler story of how puffer jackets went from niche to BOOM in Japan
• Defining Fashionable vs. Trendy
• Why Tokyo is the best fashion capital in the world
• Dogs in Japan are treated as family members
• Why Japanese are happy to pay a premium for organic dog food
• In Japan you are not a pet "owner" you are referred to as a pet "parent"
• Favorite Japanese word (Shoganai)

Loic Bizel: https://lebiz-consulting.com
Fashion In Japan: https://fashioninjapan.com
Leo & Lea Premium Dog Food: https://leoandlea.com
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode I speak with Cynthia Usui.  Author of Eight things Full-time Housewives Should do Before Entering the Workforce .  After 17 years as a stay-at-home mom, Cynthia successfully re-launched her career and quickly rose to the managerial ranks. She now coaches housewives who want to return to the workforce, how to follow in her footsteps. Cynthia shares many tips and much  wisdom from her amazing journey "from Mother to Management". Other highlights from our conversation:

• The work-life balance should be measured from a long-term perspective
• Why it was easier for her to re-invent her career with a non-Japanese hotel
• 3 metrics to evaluate housewives when re-entering the workforce
• On using a SWOT analysis for her students before job interviews
• The success of her government sponsored tourism coaching programs
• What she would do if she were in charge of the 30% "Women in Leadership" mandate
• Why Japanese hospitality needs more personalization 
• Career mapping for the 100-year-life and goal setting in 2021 and beyond
• How she quickly progressed from part-timer to management in 7 years
• Why can't the achievements and experiences of rasing a child be included on a resume?
• Favorite Japanese phrase (Read the Air)

Cynthia Usui: Cynthia Usui LinkedIn
Her book: 8 things Full-time Housewives Should do Before Entering the Workforce
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode I speak with Brendhan Kelly, the Hospitality Communication Manager for the Tysons Group of restaurants. Tysons is most well known for Ivy Place, Cicada, Smokehouse, and the iconic TY Harbor Brewery in Tennozu Isle. If you have dinned at any of these restaurants you were most likely impressed with the unique level of personalized hospitality. This is a direct result of Brendhan's input and influence. We discuss Tysons brand of "Global Hospitality" and how he trains and imparts this with staff and mentors and empowers them to become "experience creators".  You will also hear about how after years of consulting work, he suddenly switched careers in his mid-40's, walked into a Tysons restaurant and said "I want to work here". Other highlights from our conversation:

• The difference between "Service" and "Hospitality"
• A story about entertaining 350 South Africans during the rugby World Cup 
• How he empowers staff to give personalized service
• Pet peeve about restaurants in Japan
• The big break which catapulted him to his current position
• Mentoring techniques to teach better hospitality
• The best compliment he could ever receive
• The story behind the IPA name
• How his father's business and childhood influenced his interest in hospitality
• The one establishment which has better hospitality than his chain
• How hospitality affects the bottom line in the restaurant business

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life
Brendhan Kelly: https://www.tysons.jp/en/recruit/interview-brendan
Tysons & Company: https://www.tysons.jp/en/about

This episode I welcome back Mike Howard.  It has been seven months since we first met on this podcast to promote his just published book "The Salaryman". Since then, there have been a lot of changes in Mike's life - many good, some negative, and one huge life altering decision. Mike discusses these developments as they relate to his book. This episode was spontaneous as we had originally planned to just meet for a "farewell" drink (spoiler alert) but we ended up recording and it became pretty self-reflective but also a lot of fun. Some other highlights from our conversation:

• A spin-off project from the "Salaryman" book
• Indie publishing do's and don'ts
• How the book caused him to lose a friendship
• Why he's moving back to the US
• The book became his self-therapy
• How much you can make with digital publishing
• Self promotion sales results
• His new Dream Job development
• A relationship with a Japanese stand up comedian
• The new Salaryman Manga series
• Mike's house got broken into
• A look back on 13 years in Japan

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life
Also available Direct: http://www.thesalarymanbook.com
Contact Michael: michael@thesalarymanbook.com

This episode I sit down with Dominic Carter, an expert on Japan market entry, market research, and branding. Dominic shares great insight, knowledge, and current research results, for anyone working in Japan or looking to expand into Japan needs to hear.  Today you hear his 3 Golden Rules for Japan market entry success, the 4 Marco Trends shaping modern Japan, as well as numerous great quotes about how to succeed in the Japanese market. This is must listen to anyone doing business in Japan. Other topics we discuss: 

• How the future of Japan will be better with a smaller working population
• Doing sales in Japan is more of an art than a science and what is "aggressive positioning"
• Why Dominic is overly generous in his offering of free, but valuable market entry content on his blog and social media
• The best definition of "insight" you'll ever hear
• Learn the "Four Macro Trends" shaping modern Japan and how they will affect marketing and the future of doing business in Japan
• "Scarcity Value" and how this relates to the youth of Japan
• Has the COVID pandemic caused "Internationalization" to go backwards in Japan?
• Great marketing examples which exemplify the risk adverse nature of the Japan market
• The Three Golden Rules to successful Japan market entry 
• Keeping your "foreignness" vs. localization for international brands
• Many great quotes from Dominic, lead me to start a "Now & Zen" quotes page

The Carter Group: https://the-carter-group.com
Dominic Carter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-carter-404b62/
gugu Mattress Company: https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life