Now and Zen Japan

This episode I sit down with Jared Campion the co-founder of Dream Drive, a customized Camper Van rental company. Only a little over one-year old, Dream Drive is seeing its business expand exponentially despite the current situation. How did the original idea for   Dream Drive come about and what were the many hurdles in Japan for a foreigner to start a customized rental van company in Japan. Despite extremely high capital investment for a niche Japanese market, Jared's dream for Dream Drive is coming true. Other topics we discuss: 

• The reasons all Camper-Vans are customized "in-house"
• Difference and advantages of a Camper Van vs. traditional RV
• The biggest challenges starting his business
• How he defines his business as "Luxury Hotel on Wheels"
• What is a "Base Camp Network" and how this is the actual long-term goal of Dream Drive
• The interesting intinerary differences between domestic customers and inbound tourists
• We debate five new business ideas for Dream Drive presented by AH
• Why Japan is better than New Zealand for "Best done by Camper Van"
• How travel by Camper Van is actually cheaper than by train or plane in Japan

gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive Japan: https://www.dreamdrive.life

This episode I continue my conversation with Tim Sullivan. Specifically, he talks about the hundreds of cross-cultural training seminars he conducted for Hawaiian Airlines prior to their launching Japan flights. It's full of great anecdotes and amazing cultural insight. We also discuss the Japanese apology, and how he moulds his rule-breaking ways to fit accepted Japanese norms. This is a short episode and well worth a listen: Quality over quantity for sure. 

gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Tim Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-sullivan-3528486/
Intercultural Twilight Zone: https://japaninsight.wordpress.com

This episode I sit down with cross-cultural educator Mr. Tim Sullivan. He’s a very down to earth and culturally astute ambassador for Japan and foreign relations. His excellent Japan understanding comes from his study of cultural anthropology and Japanese story-telling Rakugo. For his corporate seminars he uses a storytelling approach vs. academic speak and on this episode he tells us numerous educational and entertaining stories including of his experience as a corporate mediator between waring US and Japan engineering teams, another about Mt. Fujii and how this majestic mountain is culturally perceived differently by Japanese and western cultures, and finally his most humbling yet inspiring moment in Japan, which took place in a Blues Bar. In addition, we discuss Japanese humor, Peter Drucker, which culture really invented the "Ikigai" concept, and how through his intervention, Americans learned to embrace the Japanese Hanseikai - the self reflection meeting. Other topics we discuss: 

• Living with a Japanese rock and roll star and his days as a "roadie"
• How to use Kakubari in a cross-cultural way with non-Japanese
• Process oriented vs. Goal oriented: The Japanese decision-making process explained 
• Why American's might refer to Mt. Fuji as a "Son of a Bitch!"
• The "Iceberg" model of visually analyzing cultural differences
• A Japanese concept he employed to defuse toxic US-Japan corporate relations
• How storytelling Increases engagement in in cultural seminars
• Culturally accepted sarcasm and irony in Japan
• Discuss his new collaborative book "Simple English for Japanese Medical Professionals" and the background of this project

gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Tim Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-sullivan-3528486/
Intercultural Twilight Zone: https://japaninsight.wordpress.com
Simple English for Japanese Medical Professionals: http://www.nanzando.com/books/02241.php

This "remote "episode I sit down with Omotenashi Consultant Paul Willis. Didn't know this was an actual job? Neither did I, which is why I was very interested to speak with Paul. "Omotenashi" has become a buzz word in Japan and internationally ever since Tokyo was selected to host the 2020 Olympics, and is the cornerstone of why Japanese hospitality is considered the best in the world. Paul has extensively researched Omotenashi, the background, culturally where it derives from, and has constructed a "schematic" in which he breaks down six components behind Omotenashi. Usually these details are reserved for his seminars, but luckily in this episode, he shares his findings along with numerous examples and stories. Other topics we discuss: 

• What led him to become an Omotenashi Consultant
• The role "consistency" plays in Omotenashi
• How Western hospitality often requires the guest to initiate the process of getting good service
• His Omotenashi "research" in Kyoto
• His most disappointing Japan "service" experience in Japan
• The dark side of Kodawari (attention to detail)
• Explain how he "sells" his Omotenashi service to organizations
• The future of Digital Omotenashi
• His greatest success story and proudest accomplishment

gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Omotenashi-CX Customer Experience Consultancy: https://omotenashi-cx.com
Paul Willis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulwillis888/

This episode I sit down with the ultimate Kagoshima spokesperson Alex Bradshaw. It's rare to meet a foreigner so personally invested in any specific region of Japan. His knowledge of history, traditions, and the ability to weave these stories into a tourism proposition is amazing! He is currently Head of Overseas Business for the award-winning, World Heritage site Sengan-en and an advisor to the Government of Kagoshima. How he manages these two roles make up the crux of our interesting conversation. If you have never visited Kagoshima before, you will definitely want to after listening to Alex! You're  guaranteed to hear a couple new thought-provoking perspectives on Japanese culture. We chat and share craft beers at Yona Yona Beerworks in Ebisu. Other topics we discuss: 

• Culturally, "Added-Value" is Japanese tourism USP
• Interesting backstory on Kiriko glassware
• How his current role was meant to be a kind of "wrecking ball"
• Introduces a hidden gem of travel destinations
• Why there are so many garish signs at tourism sites and his improvement advise
• Fascinating history lesson about Satsuma (Kagoshima)
• How Japan sells itself on "Mystery"
• Discuss Japanese artistic Bokashi and corporate Nemawashi 
• What he would implement to improve tourism, if he were in charge of the JNTO (Japan National Tourism Agency)
• Winning Best Attraction at the World Tourism Awards
• Interesting facts about the Kagoshima drinking culture

gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
SENGAN-EN: https://www.senganen.jp/en/
Alex Bradshaw: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-bradshaw/

This episode I share craft beers with Andrew Silberman, Chief Enthusiast of the Advanced Management Training Group and author of the book "Get a G.R.I.P." The Global Readiness Improvement Plan. With nearly 30 years of corporate training in Tokyo focused on coaching, leadership, and presentations, he is a very riveting guest. We share some super insightful topics and a lot of laughs. It's another podcast from the Ivy Place in Daikanyama and the best 40 minute investment you will make today. Other topics we dive into: 

• The inspiration behind writing the book "Get a G.R.I.P" 
• Discuss negative vs. positive reinforcement in Japanese business
• Examine Daniel Pink's theory of motivation and how this applies to Japan
• Why he chose Chief Enthusiast rather than CEO as his official title
• Three ways to harness positive psychology from The HBR
• Turn the tables on Andrew (the guest) with some sentence-completion tasks
• Learn a new Japanese version of PDCA (try not to laugh)
• The joys of saying and sharing the Japanese word Otsukaresama
• How Japanese business is akin to a marathon
• Takeaways readers of "Get a G.R.I.P." should expect
• How corporate training has changed in 25+ years

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
The AMT Group: https://www.amt-group.com
Buy the book Get a G.R.I.P. https://www.amazon.co.jp/Get-G-R-I-P-
Andrew Silberman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsilberman/

This episode we get the low-down on all things subculture in Japan with Mr. Brett Bull. Brett is the founder of Tokyo Reporter, an English language website focused on salacious and scandalous news from Japan. It's not all cherry blossoms and sushi, get the background on why and how he started Tokyo Reporter and many other stories from the underbelly of Japan. We share craft beers at Ivy Place in Daikanyama. Other topics we get into: 

• How he originally got started reporting Japanese scandalous stories even before Tokyo Reporter (TR)
• Discuss ideas how to monetize his site
• There is a template in Japanese for every crime news story
• Comments on the TR Facebook page is where all best interaction takes place
• Explains the legal loop-holes regarding "girls bars" 
• The real reason behind the "No Dancing" laws in Japan
• His end-game (goal) in operating the TR website
• Why he doesn't want to have 1million unique readers
• The one topic he would love to focus on if he had free access to cover anything
• Avoiding meiwaku (causing trouble to others) is very strong in Japan, but so is the concept of "shoganai" (it can't be helped) and how this applies to Right Wingers

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
Tokyo Reporter site: https://www.tokyoreporter.com
Tokyo Reporter Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thetokyoreporter/

This episode I continue my discussion and sharing of IPA's with Dr. David Sweet. David is 20-year Japan resident, a sales superstar, best selling author, serial entrepreneur, certified business coach, and one of the best recruiters I know in Japan. We are at the Oak Door, located in the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi.  In this part 2 of 2 episodes, we share entertaining stories about business life in Japan. Some highlights include:

• Discuss his 33 recommended books every sales person should read
• Explains why the Dr. Seuss book "Green Eggs & Ham" is the best sales book ever
• Debate the sunniest state in the US and discuss the movie Blazing Saddles
• Why 'motivational' books are just as important reads as sales books
• Using a racial epithet led David to believe his great great grandfather was Japanese
• Exchange our top 3 qualities which make a great sales person
• Recall our childhood days of "Show & Tell" with a couple of personal stories
• Talk a little about his passion for running
• Why he distrusts charities but explains why he supports the charity YouMeWe

This episode is sponsored by the gugu sleep company http://gugu.jp
David Sweet: http://drdavidsweet.com
Sweet Sales: http://www.drdavidsweet.com/shop/sweet-success
Gomaru Ginza (Tantanmen) http://www.gomaruginza.com

This episode is a follow-up with 32-year Japan entrepreneur Ruth Jarman. She is the founder of Jarman International, and the author of six books in Japanese. We focus on two of her books: "33 Reasons Japanese should be Proud" and "39 Reasons Japanese are Great" and discuss some of these reasons including her Top 3.  We dive into some cultural analysis complete with personal experience and stories. She is full of infectious energy and passion and together we share many laughs, unique insights, and of course a couple beers at The Rigoletto in Shibuya. Other highlights from our conversation:

• 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
• Why Japanese maintain an extreme focus on the "long-term view" of everything
• Her greatest accomplishment in her 32-years in Japan
• The fundamental Japanese concept of always "Being Wached"
• Did you know that in 2018, 45% of all 20 year-olds in Shinjyuku ward were non-Japanese?
• We both share our "themes" for 2020 and a couple of Japanese puns

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
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
The Rigoletto Shibuya https://rigoletto/shibuya

This episode I sit down with 32-year Japan entrepreneur Ruth Jarman. She is the founder of Jarman International, a company assisting Japanese destinations and organizations connect with foreign visitors through customized marketing, curated business strategies, and training programs to help them grow and globalize. Or as Ruth likes to say "helping Japan ease into the international age". She is full of infectious energy and passion, and has a lot of great stories. Together we share many laughs, unique insights, and of course a couple beers at The Rigoletto in Shibuya. Other highlights from our conversation:

• How a Japanese superhero TV program first got her into Japanese
• Japan as a destination is bursting with "content"
• Japanese as hosts, need to understand that foreigners (guests) are probably nervous with interactions, and not the other way around
• Why she promotes destinations which are very diverse and distant from each other
• Discovering the hidden jewels of Kobayashi City which convinced her to represent them
• Amazing story of Japanese Caviar 
• How she creates top-of-mind awareness for her destinations with inbound tourists
• Japanese denim is a good example of Japanese cultural modesty
• Discuss "High-Context" communication styles

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
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
Kobayashi City https://kobayashi-machi.com/en/
Home of Japanese Caviar https://www.japantimes.co.jp/
The Rigoletto Shibuya https://rigoletto/shibuya