Doing Business in Japan | Japanese Business Etiquette
Welcome to “Doing Business in Japan – The Successful Way!”
Did you know that there are over 6,700 searches made every single day for the very same keywords you used to get here? That’s 200,000 searches each and every month!
Why is this?
There are only two reasons:
You want to enter the Japanese market. You have heard from someone (or read something) about how different the Japanese business culture is and you need to understand how it works.
You have already entered the market, but you want to do better. And, you want to acquire the skills to help you do so.
You are NOT alone – there are a lot of people wanting to know how to succeed with their business in Japan.
The fact is, many will search, but only a few will actually learn and apply it. They will fall back on the fatal view that “I’m a foreigner, so the Japanese will forgive me for not understanding their culture.”
I have seen this happen too many times!
The smart ones, just like you, will seek advice and try to learn from those (like me) who have already gone before you and done it.
This is the only way to gain a competitive advantage over those who won’t make an effort to do exactly what you intend to do – learn what you must to be successful in Japan!
The answers and solutions are right here, on these pages.
All for you to grab and make them yours.
I am inviting you to learn from me. I have 35 years of entrepreneurial experience in Japan under my belt to prove it. A lot of success….and some mistakes.
You have the benefit of learning from both – what worked for me, and what didn’t. Those wet potholes that I stepped in are just as important as those I avoided. I want to help you keep your feet dry and on the right path.
There are only 4 fundamental value systems that will help you succeed in Japan.
Master these, and you will have the success you want:
1. Japanese business etiquette
2. Japanese business customs
3. Japanese business protocols
4. Japanese business culture
These four value systems are interrelated, but they are NOT the same. You will soon understand why.
What about?
- Your product or service? - It’s secondary.
- Your competitiveness? - It is also secondary.
- Your corporate strength and prowess? - That’s secondary, too.
Secondary to what?
Anata!
That’s Japanese for “you!”
More than any other country in the world, you have to sell yourself first; everything else is secondary because:
- You have to earn their respect, - before the product becomes viable.
- You have to earn credibility, - because initially the product can’t.
- You have to earn their trust. - If you don’t, the product won’t sell.
- They have to like you! – If they don’t, they will politely show you to the door.
Ignore these basics at your peril.
Grasp them, and you will be okay – you will have their respect; earn credibility; gain their trust. And they will like you.
Then, and only then, will they sign on the dotted line.
When this happens, your Japanese counterparts AND your boss (not to mention your shareholders) will love you for it. Because you did it right.
Smart people recognize that there is an established order to doing business in Japan:
- Build “the relationship” first
- Deliver the “information” second
- Get meaningful “dialogue” third
- Close the “deal” last!
In the “western” world (particularly for the English-speaking countries), we do things in a different order. We don’t have much time for relationships, at least in the beginning. We live in a world of “mutually agreed targets,” 15-second sound bytes, quick closure and “bugger everything else.” Sell. Sell. Sell!
Not in Japan!
The people who understand this the most are the Japanese themselves.
Their obsession with “relationships” is not something they invented for you.
No! It is a part of their culture that was, and is, intended for them. It builds continuity and stability in their own world. It’s what drives the mechanisms that make them successful.
So if it drives them to achieve success, doesn’t it make sense that it would drive you to success as well? If you know how to do it?
“The convergence of Preparation with Opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.” (Anthony Robbins)
There are vast opportunities in Japan; you already know this. It is the “preparation” that is vital.
You and I together, we will get you prepared!
Your preparation starts with:
- Reading what’s written on these pages, all for free
- Getting the complementary E-Book that tells you how to select those crucial gifts
- Get your “Doing Business in Japan – The Successful Way!” E-Book, which will be your ultimate “bible” for successfully doing business in Japan
- Extracting information from me (and other guest authors), specific to your business, by participating with your comments and questions
I hope to see you often, right here on these pages.
And by frequently posting your comments and questions, we can tailor the experience to your needs!
Yokoso irasshai mase!
A Cordial Welcome!
Jonathan
P.S. you notice I don’t mention “language” on this page. Want to know why?
Fundamentals of Japanese Business Etiquette and Japanese Business Culture.
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