Discussing Global Communications, Cultural Insights, and Community Building on the Now and Zen Japan Podcast
/
First, a Brief Update: Introducing Alex Ehret
As alluded to in my previous blog post, evolution is in the air at Saga Consulting. Part of that change means working with more contributors to bring the Saga Consulting vision to life. With that in mind, I’m proud to announce an ongoing collaboration with Alex Ehret, a talented writer and fellow ACCJ alum who will be producing content for this blog. Her first batch of articles will summarize content from the audio and video interviews I’ve done over the past couple of years, making the advice within searchable and accessible to those who prefer the written word. Original content ideas are also in the pipeline, so subscribe and stay tuned for more contributions from Alex. In the meantime, enjoy her first Saga Consulting article below.
Anthony Griffin
Founder and Principal Consultant, Saga Consulting
Discussing Global Communications, Cultural Insights, and Community Building in Japan on the Now and Zen Podcast
By Alex Ehret
In the fall of 2021, Anthony Griffin joined Now and Zen Japan podcast host Andrew Hankinson to unpack a range of topics, covering everything from global communications and tips for budding entrepreneurs, to cultural insights into Japan and building community with language. This article summarizes and explores the key points covered in the podcast, uncovering the valuable advice discussed along the way.
Tips for New Entrepreneurs
Establishing a secure client base and gaining momentum can be challenging for new entrepreneurs. A key indicator of success for sole proprietors is achieving “life profitability.” Reaching life profitability indicates that your business can not only sustain itself, but also allow you to pay your bills and put money away for the future.
It can be a big undertaking for new entrepreneurs to bridge the gap between simply bringing in money and being truly profitable. Therefore, it’s important to think unconventionally about business development, especially in the beginning. For example, try applying for part-time roles that you feel may better function as a client/vendor contract. Then, during the interview process, strive to help the company see how their part-time role would be better served if they were a client.
Global Communications for “Foreign Curious” Japanese Companies
For Japanese companies that have an interest in expanding overseas—or “foreign curious” companies— it can be overwhelming to assemble a global communications strategy. Saga Consulting’s position in the market is unique, helping Japanese companies market to global audiences, rather than vice versa. A global communications professional in such a position can help companies build a solid foundation by starting with the following:
A quality website that reads professionally and is responsive. Further, while social media is also important, businesses don’t own their audiences on these platforms, so it’s equally important to have a home page too.
Professional copy in the target language. When trying to expand overseas, some companies may be reluctant to do things differently. Starting small by getting copy translated professionally and establishing a style guide and tone for the brand may help.
That said, there’s more to a successful global communications strategy than websites and copy. Spoken communication is also an important piece of the puzzle for companies looking to expand overseas. Saga Consulting’s solution to this has been to offer coaching services to prepare clients for speaking opportunities abroad, including presentations, meetings, and networking.
When preparing for a presentation, especially one aimed toward a global audience, you should:
Practice and over-prepare.
Stick with a simple structure (e.g., an attention-grabbing opening, well-organized body, and a call to action).
Manage your time and keep the presentation focused.
Cultural Insights and Lessons Learned
As the old saying goes, “Experience is the best teacher.” If you’re serving Japanese companies, you may find it helpful to know what it’s like inside of one, and sometimes lessons learned on the ground speak the greatest volumes.
For example, even in the sweltering heat of Tokyo’s summer, there are some client visits where relaxed coolbiz summer attire just won’t do. These kind of unspoken rules and expectations are common in Japan. Rochelle Kopp, founder and managing principal of Japan Intercultural Consulting, explained in an interview with Kokoro Media that the concept of ichi ieba ju wo shiru, which means, “Hear one, understand ten,” is the most important concept someone should know before working in Japan.
As a high-context culture, the burden is on the listener to understand the message. One place we can see this concept at work is in the phrase yoroshiku onegaishimasu. This phrase has a seemingly endless number of meanings based on context, ranging from “Nice to meet you,” to implicitly asking for a favor.
Although the line between personal identity and assimilation is different for everyone, emulating the business practices and language of those around you can help make your clients feel more at ease. Relationship building is especially important in Japanese business, and this can make the process of establishing those long-term, mutually beneficial relationships easier.
Building Community with Language
One of the best ways to build community in Japan is by using the language. Vital expressions like arigato gozaimasu to politely express thanks are a good place to start, and their importance is discussed further in this article on Survival Japanese. Learning culturally impactful words like naruhodo, a key word indicate engagement and understanding, is another good step to take.
An alternative approach to using Japanese language as a community-building tool is to use it not to blend in, but to stand out. For instance, when you’re at your regular supermarket, instead of thanking the staff with the usual arigato, try adding itsumo, which means “always,” to form itsumo arigato gozaimasu. This slight elevation will be noticed, as it communicates that you recognize them as a community member who you interact with frequently. In a world where small talk at the register is rare, this opens the door to future conversations and community relationships.
Final Thoughts
For more insights into Japan and advice for business owners, check out the full podcast here. Further, you can subscribe to the Saga Consulting email list below to keep informed on the latest tools and resources that will help you succeed not only in Japan, but wherever your business may take you.
About the Author
Alex Ehret is a writer, a teacher, and a communications professional. She hails from chilly Minnesota, USA, and currently lives in Tokyo, Japan. Her love for writing started with reading. She spent countless elementary school recesses in the computer lab, emulating her favorite books to make stories of her own. These days, she finds inspiration in the outdoors, in music, and in the human experience.