Business Culture of Japan - Armani
Transcript of Business Culture of Japan - Armani
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BUSINESS CULTURE OF JAPAN
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Flow of the presentation
Background To Business in Japan
Japanese Business Structures
Japanese Management Style
Japanese Meetings
Concept of Wa Business Cards
Gift Giving
Japanese Teams
Japanese Communication Styles
Women in Business in Japan Japanese dress code
Tips on Japanese dress culture
Successful entertaining in Japan
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Background To Business in Japan
Fundamental concepts of business very
different from the west.
In the Japanese culture relationships comebefore business.
Early stages of relationship building are most
important
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Japanese Business Structures
Up until World War Two, Japan was
dominated by a small number of very large
companies, the zaibatsu.
Japanese companies are hierarchically
organised.
individuals know their position within a group
and with regard to each other.
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The sense of belonging to the group gives
Japanese companies their strength and
purpose.
Group orientation and team work are a way of
life in all aspects of corporate life at all levels.
Japanese hierarchy is based on consensus and
co-operation
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Japanese Management Style
information flows from the bottom of thecompany to the top.
Senior management has a largely supervisoryrole.
policy often originates at the middle-levels ofa company.
Higher a Japanese manager rises within anorganisation, the more important it is that heappears unassuming and unambitious.
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Individual personality and forcefulness are not
seen as the prerequisites for effective leadership.
Japanese managers must be accessible at all
times and willing to share knowledge within the
group.
Instructions from managers is common in
Japanese culture but a vague concept in the westdue to communication misunderstanding.
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Japanese Meetings
Punctuality is important it shows respect
for the attendees.
Due to the consensus nature of decisionmaking in Japan, it can very often be difficult
to determine a finish time.
Meetings are often preceded by long, non-
business polite conversation.
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Concept of Wa
Concept of Wa (Harmony) lies at the heart of
Japanese meeting. Solution to the meeting must not be achieved
at the expense of disturbing the peace.
Confrontations are avoided so as not to affectWa.
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Business Cards
It is important to have a plentiful supply of
business cards with information printed onthe back in Japanese.
Cards are presented at an early stage in a
formal manner.
Present and receive the card with two hands.
(Present your card Japanese side up.)
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Treat your Japanese contacts card with
respect the card is the man.
Writing on it or leaving it behind showsdisrespect.
During the meeting, place the cards carefully
on the table in front of you with the senior
persons card on the top.
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Gift Giving
Gift giving is an endemic part of Japanesebusiness life.
Gifts should always be wrapped.
Avoid giving gifts in quantities of four or nineas these are unlucky numbers.
Anything sharp could signify the desire to end
a relationship. Alcohol, especially good single malt whiskey, is
always an appreciated gift.
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Japanese Teams
Japanese are naturally group-oriented.
The consensus-building process or Nemawashi(literally - root binding) determines that
agreement is sought before a formal meetingin order to avoid any direct confrontation.
People must be seen to be modest and
humble. Self-promotion in the western sense is seen as
childish and embarrassing behaviour.
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Japanese Communication Styles
In japan what a person states may be verydifferent from what he is thinking.
It is best to check back several times for
clarification of anything that remains unclear. Major communication gap among English
speaking Businessmen and their Japanesecounterparts.
The Japanese seem to be very still in meetings,sitting in a formal upright posture.
It is rare for any reaction or emotion to be visible.
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Women in Business in Japan
Annual income for women in Japan stands ataround 50% of the male level.
Strong unspoken discrimination towards women
in the workplace. Women are largely expected to perform lower
grade tasks and to leave employment uponmarriage or the birth of children.
Western women working in Japan will probablyonly encounter difficulties when trying to manageJapanese male colleagues.
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Japanese Dress Code
Dark suit, shirt and tie is very much the norm
in Japanese mainstream business.
For women, business dress should berestrained and formal women do not
commonly wear trousers in business in Japan.
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Tips on Japanese business culture
Relationships drive business in Japan.
In Japan, age brings its own dignity and should
be respected. Try to be polite and diplomatic at all times
Avoid showing irritation, annoyance or
impatience Do not try to push the Japanese for decisions
or deadlines.
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Decisions are arrived at through a lengthy
consensus-building process. As it is almost
impossible to speed up this process, patience
is needed.
Perform as many favours for people as
possible. Favours must always be repaid.
Be humble and apologetic. Modesty is a
characteristic much admired.
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Oral agreements carry as much weight aswritten contracts.
Do not speak well of yourself but be very
positive about your organisation and thedepartment or team to which you belong.
Never make disparaging comments about your
own company - even in jest. Humour should be avoided during serious
business meetings.
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Avoid strong eye contact which can be seen as
threatening or hostile behaviour.
Always take gifts to give to key contacts Dress well, but conservatively.
Beware; Japanese loath saying no or to
disagree.
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Successful Entertaining in Japan
Business meals form an integral part of
commercial life in Japan
Never reject an invitation to lunch or dinner. Do not offend by offering to pay if you have
been invited.
When using chop-sticks, never point them at anybody
do not leave them sticking into your rice.
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It is considered polite to leave some food on
your plate (or in the bowl) at the end of the
meal to show that you have eaten a
sufficiency.
Japan has a rich and varied cuisine it is not
all raw fish and pickles.
Tipping is not customary in Japan, as this cost
is usually included in the bill.