Now and Zen Japan

I thought it might be a challenge to interview my old friend David Clement. After-all we both grew up in the same small town and have known each other in Japan for over 20 years. However, his wisdom, Japan insight, and most of all, his entertaining stories make this a very fascinating episode.  22 years in B2B sales working with the biggest names in Japan and now the country manager for a "perfect start-up" in Japan. How does one make this big transition? David shares three riveting stories on leadership quirks,  negotiating, and my favorite, the hoops and hurdles he overcame to the seal the deal with with the famous Den Fujita the president of McDonalds Japan early in his career.  Additional highlights from our conversation:

• Debate the English definition of Nemawashi
• Why he describes himself as a "corporate entrepreneur"
• The challenges foreigners faces working for a Japanese company and "inventing ones position"
• David's Dale Carnegie vs. Kaizen theory
• Creating your own Gravity for success in Japan
• EdgeCast's business explained to a 5 year old
• What is an Embarrassment of Pandas ?
• "Leadership comes from taking responsibility or the opportunity to lose face the Japanese don't want"
• Pro and Cons of relationship building and networking in the pandemic era
• Why Kaizen is the enemy of dynamic change 
• Two favorite  untranslatable Japanese words

EdgeCast: https://www.edgecast.com/

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

Fascinating innovations are happening in the food & beverage industry around the world and Ugo Bataillard is introducing them to Japan.  Ugo is the Founder and CEO of GourmetPro, a startup which began as a Japan market-entry consulting company for foreign food and beverage companies. After a successful 1st year of having too much business, GourmetPro shifted their business model to focus more on plant and cell based foods, sustainability, and other innovations in food and beverage.  You will hear all about these  developments and how GourmetPro utilizes a network of expert consultants to introduce these to Japan. We also talk about Japan market-entry and the top three transgressions foreign companies are most guilty of,  chat about cell based meat, insect protein, The Cheesecake Factory, and review Doutour's soy meat burger.  Other highlights from our conversation:

• Where the original idea come from to start GourmetPro
• Why food trends come and go so quickly in Japan
• How the market is changing from distributor domination to direct import and private label
• Ideas how to sell The Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes in Japan
• What is cell-based meat and is plant based meat really a boom we are lead to believe
• How sustainability and food innovation is an initiative for younger generations 
• How GourmetPro is able to enlist so many expert consultants
• Why the Flexitarian movement is gaining popularity
• Mistakes made when entering the Japanese market
• Favorite  untranslatable Japanese word

GourmetPro: https://www.gourmetpro.co/

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

Now and Zen Japan welcomes Mr. Ed Thompson, a Marketing Consultant and the founder of Concept Design. This episode we share beers and talk about his 20+ years in Japan and professional career in marketing, branding, advertising, and academia. He has also been a lecturer at Temple University for over 15 years. Ed is a straight talker and has strong opinions when it comes to the business of marketing. We discuss his early years in Japan getting beat up with bamboo sticks everyday, working with bureaucrats, and starting his own business after only five years in Japan. Ed has a fascinating theory on why Japanese brand logos tend to be words rather than pictograms, how to find your Personal Branding "voice" from hating-on the competition, then Ed gets deep and philosophical when analyzing Wabi-Sabi and Kintsugi and how this is related to perseverance and the Japanese human spirit. Other topics we discuss:

• An interesting way to translate the  word "marketing" 
• Studying Japanese at a martial arts university
• Understanding self-worth and context when giving yourself an appropriate business title
• Why his list of clients in Japan are predominantly foreign affiliated
• How "creative" departments differ in Japan and the main role of ad agencies
• "Making order out of chaos" . . .  the driver for Ed's passion for marketing
• Was Omotenashi developed as a social norm or a way to make customers more receptive to your brand?
• "People will believe what you tell them unless you give them a reason to disbelieve"
• In Japan, "Being present is more important than being whole"
• Why email remains the most important CRM data
• His upcoming classes at Temple and takeaways students can expect

Concept Design: https://conceptdesign.io/
Ed Thompson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethompson/

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

This episode is an entertaining and stimulating conversation with a  forward-thinking, self-described "Evangelist" for for Digital Transformation in Japan, Mr. Evan Berkosky.  Before you decide to tune-out because "Digital Transformation" sounds unexciting,  Hold On!  Evan makes this topic both insightful and relevant and shares his ideas on how he would initiate quick wins to transform Japan digital landscape if he were to hypothetically, be appointed to the newly created  "Japan Digital Agency".  What's more entertaining than listening to foreigners give their opinion on how to improve Japan?  In this case however, Evan truly knows his area of expertise. We also discuss his early challenges in Japan, starting a successful English school, and how this led to the establishment of a premiere boutique digital marketing agency. He explains how  current media monitoring,  influencer marketing, and media engagement are vital to every organization, and finally challenges me as to why he should buy a Japanese branded knife from a German knife company. Other topics we discuss:

• Historically,  disruptions have created a culture of  "uncertainty avoidance" in Japan
• Why he is so passionate about digital transformation in Japan
• The scaleability challenge of creating a chain of English schools
• Why Japan, well-known for high tech industries are not leaders in digitalization
• What two major initiatives he would implement if he were the head of the Japan Digital Agency
• How the traditional Hanko system has slowed business in Japan during the pandemic
• Being a bi-cultural "shock-absorber" explained
• The positive trends propelling Japan's A.I. technology adoption 
• The future role of  social "Influencers" and how they will evolve 
• How brands can save time and make money from social media monitoring
• Favorite Japanese word w/o an exact English translation

Meltwater: https://www.meltwater.com/en

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

This episode I have an entertaining conversation with an old friend of mine. Yukie Kito is an award winning movie producer with over 20 films to her credit.  This is really an "insiders" episode where we talk about her life, challenges, and successes as an independent producer and really gain a lot of insight into the Japanese film industry: What has happened to creativity and how some missteps have allowed S. Korea to become Asia's entertainment powerhouse. She talks about some great memories making movies and anecdotes about Hollywood stars. Other topics we discuss:

• What a film producer actually does
• When watching films does she view or critique them differently than general audiences
• How she got her start in Hollywood
• Tears of joy (and envy) when seeing the international success of Korean entertainment 
• The one film she is the most proud of
• Why she makes an appearance in almost all her movies
• Her criteria when selecting movie projects
• Why so little "Original" content is produced in Japan
• Working with Ethan Hawke and their close friendship
• How her "win-win" philosophy helps her survive in the film industry
• We try to explain "Mono no Aware" and another untranslatable Japanese word

Yukie's Movie list: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2183344/
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

It's time to get your motor running and head out to the highway. This episode I speak with the president of Ducati Japan Mr. Mats Lindstrom.  You do not need to be a "bike guy" or a "gear-head" to enjoy this conversation with Mats. We chat about "Empowerment" in Japan, his unique strategy and reasons for conducting management meetings in English, and his biggest takeaways from days at IKEA when he arrived in Japan to  set up the first stores in 2005. Of course we also talk about the bike business, specifically how he differentiates Ducati from the established domestic brands, why Ducati owners are known for their loyalty and passion, and he shares success stories from  the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) program he initiated earlier this year. Recorded at the Oak Door,  Grand Hyatt Tokyo. Other topics we discuss:

• Biker camaraderie and how it differs in Japan
• What sets Ducati apart from the established Japanese competition
• Becoming a “bike guy” from the age of 3
• “People buy for what you help them become”
• Who is a Ducati “type” and from which profession are many Ducati owners
• Is Ikigai really a Japanese concept
• Lessons learned starting up IKEA in Japan
• Most unique characteristic of Japanese consumers
• Ensuring a consistent level of service and hospitality with over 40 dealers
• The Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) explained
• Favorite untranslatable Japanese word
• The “communication” between a Ducati bike and its owner 

Ducati Japan: https://www.ducati.com/jp/ja/home
Ducati Riding / Racing Experience: https://www.ducati.com/jp/ja/contents/dre

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

This episode we are treated to a wonderful conversation with an amazing woman who continues to have a fascinating life.  Karen Hill Anton discusses her memoir "The View from Breast Pocket Mountain". Published in late 2020 the book has received numerous literary awards and has a 5 start rating from Amazon. We talk about her motivation behind writing her 1st book, she offers solid advise for anyone contemplating a memoir,  dive into some of the back stories and highlights from her book, and the challenges not only she had to deal with but what every writer of a memoir faces.  The View from Breast Pocket Mountain is a unique and untold story and a treasure trove of experiences crossing boarders and cultures. If you ever wondered what your life would be like taking that road without a map, this is the book and the episode for you. Other topics we discuss:

• Why everyone should write a memoir
• What contributed to the books success, accolades, and awards 
• The conundrum of "looking inwards" vs. writing for a broad audience
• How the narrative of the memoir is split into worldwide adventures & rural life in Japan
• The ironic Japanese meaning of "Breast Pocket" and Karen's actual life
• The sense of community became a key learning from the 1  year dojyo experience
• Why she quite writing her newspaper columns after 15 years
• The ability to recall so many details of her early adventures and why this is so important for a memoir
• Karen's favorite untranslatable Japanese word
• Why the business / corporate experience side of her life was not included in the book

Karen Hill Anton: http://karenhillanton.com

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

The phrase "Do what you love and you never have to work another day in your life" fits Mac Salman perfectly. Mac left the finance  industry and pursued his passions - Travel, Japan, and tasty spirits. We discuss his customized tour business Maction Planet where he has never conducted the same itinerary twice. Then his pivot to Kanpai Planet when the pandemic halted Japan tourism. We discuss these two businesses and life in Tokyo while we sample three "Japan Related" tequilas.  Mac is an inimitable and articulate British gentleman who does his homework. He brings insider knowledge and back stories to Shizuku,  Cascahuin, and Don Suenos tequilas and their fascinating Japan connections. Even if you are not a big fan of whiskey or tequila, Mac's stories and insight make for a very lively and enjoyable conversation.  Other topics we discuss: 

• Leaving the lucrative  finance industry and pursuing his passion for travel
• The philosophy of changing tour guiding from a "commodity to a profession"
• Maction Planet's 99.6% rating on Trip Advisor and why its not 100%
• 25 straight years of whisky consumption decline in Japan. That all changed in 2008
• Why he can be found at Jingu Stadium up to 50 times a year
• How Kanpai Planet was born, the current USP's and future plans
• Sample the Blanco and Reposado from Shizuku and discover its ties to Fukuoka
• Mac's amazing Sake knowledge and how he applies it to tequila tasting 
• Mac's hierarchy of needs and the 5 reasons Tokyo is the "Greatest Metropolis on Earth"
• Taste test the Blanco and an Extra Anejo from Cascahuin created by Japanese "Tetsu" Kageda
• Overcoming  bureaucratic challenges foreigners face in Japan
• The background of the only Tequila brand owned by a Japanese woman - we try the Reposado and Anejo from Don Suenos 

Maction Planet: https://www.mactionplanet.com/
Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com
Kanpai Planet: https://www.youtube.com

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

Meshida is an ex-Japanese salaryman turned English language standup comedian. For the past eight years Meshida has been performing his style of comedy in both Japan and the UK. In addition he is a successful YouTuber, mostly known for his comedic commentary on Japan's "pink" culture despite his many other "wholesome" cultural topics. We discuss why he decided to become a full-time standup comedian, the difference between Japanese and  Western humor,  stories from the stage, how much he earns from YouTube viral videos, where he gets his joke writing inspiration, and what his parents and Japanese audiences think about his career and content. Other topics we discuss: 

• First open mic experience at 21
• Why physical humor is popular in Japan
• Turning his insecurities into self deprecating humor
• His 1st successful joke which got a huge laugh
• Is "Manzai" the Japanese equivalent of Western standup? 
• Once losing his confidence for 6 months after bombing on stage
• The one question he would ask his favorite comic
• Why its difficult to monetize YouTube even with millions of views and 60k subscribers 
• His YouTube strategy to gain more fans and followers
• Meeting other international Japanese standup comedians
• His current projects in Tokyo and his response to the pandemic 

Standup Comedian Meshida: https://www.youtube.com/channel/
Funny Japan Project: https://funnyjapanproject.com/

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