B2B marketing in Asia, Japan localization, APAC demand gen, and cultural nuance headlines this kickoff episode of the Asia AIM Podcast. Join AIM B2B CEO Robert Heldt and COO Sam Bird as they break down what it really takes to build trust, localize content, and accelerate revenue in JapaTa n and the wider APAC region. From the inside scoop on AIM’s proprietary Adapt-Implement-Maximize framework to real-world war stories about global brands, this conversation is stacked with actionable insights for marketers and business leaders. If boosting pipeline, sharpening localization, and scaling B2B marketing in Asia are on your roadmap, smash play and stay to the end for book recs, tech stacks, and next-step resources. Whether you lead regional campaigns or a global C-suite, this is your front-row seat to next-level B2B marketing in Asia done right.

Timestamps

• (00:00) Intro to the Asia AIM Podcast 
• (01:53) Hosts Robert Heldt & Sam Bird swap origin stories
• (03:00) What “Adapt-Implement-Maximize” really means for global brands
• (06:18) Biggest trends and pain points in Japan’s B2B buyer journey
• (08:00) Common localization mistakes and how to dodge them
• (11:12) Building trust before tactics: why the “why” comes first
• (16:00) Clean-energy case study: full-funnel launch that landed media plus DOOH
• (19:30) Blue ocean repositioning in manufacturing pays off
• (21:39) Future guest lineup: CMOs across APAC spill their playbooks
• (25:47) Kaizen, nemawashi, and other must-know cultural concepts
• (34:00) Quick fire round: book picks, business insights, and final advice
• (37:48) How to connect with AIM B2B and keep leveling up

Key Takeaways

• Stop Translating, Start Localizing: What Market Fit Really Takes in APAC. True market fit demands culturally attuned messaging plus UX tailored to local buyer expectations.
• Trust trumps tactics. Long term wins in Japan start with patient relationship building and nemawashi style consensus.
• Data-driven strategy first. AIM’s Adapt-Implement-Maximize cycle anchors every campaign in research, KPIs, and continuous optimization.
• Content is king, distribution is queen. Multi channel touchpoints across the APAC buyer journey require consistently localized assets.
• Kaizen mindset. Launch small, learn fast, and iterate for compounding returns in complex Asian markets.

Guest Bio

Robert Heldt – CEO & Co-Founder of AIM B2B, 20+ years in Japanese marketing and media. Known for bridging global brands into APAC through culturally sharp, data-backed growth strategies.

Sam Bird – COO of AIM B2B, 15-year Japan resident with agency and client-side leadership experience across the U.K. and Asia. Focused on demand generation, content ops, and ROI analytics.

Resource Links

• AIM B2B Website & Contact:https://aim-b2b.com/
• Podcast Home: https://asiaaimpodcast.com

Keywords

B2B marketing in Asia, Japan B2B marketing, APAC demand generation, localization strategy, AIM B2B, Robert Heldt, Sam Bird, marketing podcast, cultural nuance Japan, digital transformation APAC, account-based marketing Asia, kaizen, nemawashi, Adapt Implement Maximize, content localization, global marketing strategy