Scaling Japan Podcast: Recent Episodes
Tyson Batino
Helping business owners in Japan scale their businesses from $100,000 annually to $10,000,000 and beyond. Everything you need to know from recruitment, marketing, sales, and operations, we got you covered in taking your business to the next level.
Listen to experts and people who have scaled companies in Japan share their journey and tips.
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. Today we are joined by Yoga Koda, the CEO of Nihonium, a company dedicated to helping SaaS companies successfully enter the Japanese market. Nihonium works closely with foreign software companies, guiding them through the complex process of localization and adaptation to Japan's unique business landscape.
Join us in this episode as Yoga shares insights into the software gaps in Japan, how Nihonium supports the growth of foreign software companies, and the crucial role localization plays in building trust with the local market. We’ll also dive into cultural differences between Japan and the West, and Yoga will provide key advice for startups looking to establish themselves in Japan.
Stay tuned for a deep dive into navigating Japan's evolving tech ecosystem.
Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
2:36 How Nihonium is helping SaaS companies enter the Japanese market?
9:05 What area of software are Japanese companies lacking?
11:41 Are domestic startups in Japan filling up the software gap?
12:23 Entry options for foreign software companies.
32:23 Gaining trust out of the local market/ Why is localization so important?
41:46 Cultural differences between Western vs Japan
51:50 Marketing in Japan
1:10:13 Advice for startups entering into Japan
Reach out to Yuga on his LinkedIn here
Visit Nihonium on their website here
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Japan Scalers Podcast. In this episode, we are joined by Eran Galperin, founder and CEO of Gymdesk, a leading software platform revolutionizing gym management. Eran walks us through the critical stages of building Gymdesk into a thriving business, from finding product-market fit to scaling across different stages of growth.
Join us as Eran shares valuable insights into his competitive advantage, the challenges he faced in developing a strong product, and the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to recruitment, content marketing, and expansion. He even offers a glimpse into the unique opportunities in the Japanese market, and how Gymdesk has adapted to global needs
Show Notes:
0:00 Intro
2:51 What is Gymdesk?
5:13 Erin's competitive advantage
8:47 How long did it take for Erin to have a strong product-market fit?
10:04 Beginning stage of Gymdesk
15:37 What are the advantages you had & how did you successfully utilize them?
23:45 Would you like to share any insights regarding the first stage of business?
30:16 Eran shares second-time founder advantage
32:40 Eran’s content marketing experience
35:55 How did you adapt your personality for stage 1?
39:11 Stage 2, a redesign in early 2020, followed by growth
43:50 Gradual internal team expansion, learning from outsourcing mistakes
49:51 Unlocking Yourself & Recruitment
54:39 Challenges in Stage 2
58:36 What would you define as Stage 3?
1:03:34 Japan market
1:13:11 Conclusion
Links from Guest Appearance :
Eran's LinkedIn | Gymdesk
The Japan Scalers Podcast is produced by our companies Scaling Your Company & Launch LabScaling Your Company offers several services
- Scaling Your Company : 1 on 1 advisory on sales, marketing, management
- Scaling Your Sales : Courses to increase your sales in Japan.
- Scaling Your Marketing : Creating websites in English or Japanese + SEO + MEO
- Launch Lab : Japan Incorporation Services
Discover how Launch Lab can simplify your journey and fuel your growth in Japan : https://launch-lab.jp/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Japan Scalers Podcast, Tyson chats with Ray Sato, co-founder of Grow and former lead recruiter for Uber Eats in Japan. Ray shares his journey from being the first recruiter for Uber in Japan to scaling the team from 10 to 120+ employees across APAC, contributing to Uber Eats reaching a $1 billion run-rate. He discusses the competitive strategies and challenges that helped shape Uber Eats' success.
Ray also offers insights into key topics such as recruitment pipelines, OKRs & KPIs, employee value propositions, and his experience launching Grow, a recruitment agency that achieved $3 million in revenue during its first year.
Tune in for valuable lessons on scaling, overcoming challenges, and driving growth in fast-paced startup environments!
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:40 Ray's Story at UberEats
7:31 Services of UberEats
10:16 Ray’s Competitive Advantages
17:17 Uber’s Competitive Close Rate
21:15 Challenges & How Ray Overcame Them
33:21 Advice from Ray
42:37 OKRs & KPIs Insights
45:50 Recruitment Pipeline & Internal Processes
52:42 Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
59:52 Fintech Support to Sales Ratio
1:00:21 The 4 Stages of Growth
1:12:37 What is Grow?
____________________________________
Links from Guest Appearance :
Ray's LinkedIn | Grow's Website
The Japan Scalers Podcast is produced by our companies Scaling Your Company & Launch LabScaling Your Company offers several services
- Scaling Your Company : 1 on 1 advisory on sales, marketing, management
- Scaling Your Sales : Courses to increase your sales in Japan.
- Scaling Your Marketing : Creating websites in English or Japanese + SEO + MEO
- Launch Lab : Japan Incorporation Services
Discover how Launch Lab can simplify your journey and fuel your growth in Japan : https://launch-lab.jp/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. Today we are joined again by Beau Becker, the CEO of Reiwa Pharmaceuticals in Japan. Reiwa Pharmaceuticals produces an anti-flush drink called Akan and has experience incorporating in Japan and helping others incorporate in Japan.
Join us as Beau talks about his experiences whilst creating a bank account in Japan and the recommendations for the best banks for foreign entrepreneurs and workers in Japan.
Show Notes
0:00 Introduction
5:03 The Four Stages of the Fast Track Banking Strategy
28:37 About the Required Residence Status
32:51 Limitations and Technicalities of an employment business
34:27 English Service Banks in Japan
36:22 What Kind of Stamps Are You Going to Need?
38: 55 About the Account Booklet
41:45 Mega Banks
47:21 Different experiences with Shinsei Bank
50:33 Online Banking
56:51 The Business Plan and Needing a Website
1:00:23 Credit Unions
1:04:10 Does He as a Service provide advisory to Companies that need help with the Business plan for these loans?
1:10:43 Final Thoughts
Reach out to Beau on his LinkedIn
Be sure to check out Reiwaseiyaku and their Instagram
Beau also wrote two extremely popular articles on creating a bank account and incorporating a company, which you can find below:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/guide-corporate-banking-japan-beau-becker/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/guide-incorporation-japan-beau-becker/
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast! In this special solo episode, Tyson dives deep into the questions posed by his LinkedIn audience, providing practical answers that every aspiring podcaster and business leader in Japan needs to hear.
Tyson pulls back the curtain on his podcasting journey, sharing invaluable tips on how to start and scale a podcast in Japan. He also delves into the lessons learned from mistakes made along the way and offers advice on how to avoid common pitfalls.
Check out the Scaling Japan Podcast | Tyson's LinkedIn
TimeStamps :
0:20 Starting a podcast in Japan intro
01:11 Personal & Professional impact of doing a Podcast
04:12 How has it helped the people you've interviewed
05:09 Impact on the broader system of audience
08:33 Approaches to solving Listener's feedback
12:55 Distribution platforms & SEO in Japan
18:42 Marketing growth for podcasts
24:43 Tools used
31:48 Practicing & Rehearsing
33:32 Recording equipment
35:34 Preparing recording environment
36:02 Choosing guests
40:47 Mistakes made as a host
41:37 How to prevent those mistakes
44:33 Co-hosting & Remote podcasting
The Japan Scalers Podcast is produced by our companies Scaling Your Company & Launch Lab :
- Scaling Your Company : 1 on 1 advisory on sales, marketing, management
- Scaling Your Sales : Courses to increase your sales in Japan.
- Scaling Your Marketing : Creating websites in English or Japanese + SEO + MEO
- Launch Lab : Japan Incorporation Services
Discover how Launch Lab can simplify your journey and fuel your growth in Japan :
https://launch-lab.jp
Send in a voice message:
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. Today we are joined by Eli David Rokah, the CEO of StartupBlink, a startup ecosystem research center working with over 100 government entities, corporate innovation programs, and multilateral organizations worldwide. Their global startup ecosystem map has hundreds of thousands of registeredstart-ups, co-working spaces, and accelerators, creating a robust sample of innovation globally, being well known for creating the startup ecosystem indexof 1000 cities and 100 Countries.
Join us in this episode as Eli explains StartupBlink’s Index, where Japan and its cities are ranked amongst the other countries and the industries the Japanese government should focus on in the future
Show Notes
0:00 Introduction
3:12 Overview of StartupBlink and the StartupBlink Index
5:06 The Highest Ranking Japanese Company
23:51 Japan’s performance in 2024
30:21 Further Thoughts on the support from the Japanese Government
38:15 Other facts about Singapore that makes it much easier for Startups
44:06 More on Business Environment Versus Overall Rank
47:37 Industry Specifics
49:21 Trends in terms of Industries
52:33 What Industries should Tokyo Focus on and any Final thoughts for any policy makers?
Reach out to Eli on his LinkedIn here
Visit StartupBlink on their website here
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to the eleventh episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually.
In this eleventh episode, we welcome Eric Wei, the CEO of timelyhero, a dynamic platform that connects talented individuals with businesses in need of their skills. With over 15 years of experience in e-commerce and product management, he has worked at top global companies such as Amazon, Google, Foodpanda, and DiDi.
Join us as Eric shares his experience scaling DiDi as Chief Product Officer, along with valuable insights into overcoming intercultural communication challenges, recruitment strategies, and the role of a fractional leader in an organization.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
1:57 Fractional Leadership Talent
5:03 What is DiDi? – Target Market and Customers
7:17 Partnership with SoftBank
9:00 Overcoming Intercultural Communication and Biases
11:49 Other Challenges
16:16 Advantages of Entering the Market
19:26 Unique Insights that Helped the 1st Stage
26:22 Tips for Recruitment
34:24 Benefits of Offering Services as a Fractional Leader with Timely Hero
43:19 What was the Next Stage?
52:53 Role of Chief Product Officer (CPO)
1:00:08 About the Guest
Links from Guest Appearance :
Eric's LinkedIn | timelyhero
The Japan Scalers Podcast is produced by our companies Scaling Your Company & Launch LabScaling Your Company offers several services
- Scaling Your Company : 1 on 1 advisory on sales, marketing, management
- Scaling Your Sales : Courses to increase your sales in Japan.
- Scaling Your Marketing : Creating websites in English or Japanese + SEO + MEO
- Launch Lab : Japan Incorporation Services
Discover how Launch Lab can simplify your journey and fuel your growth in Japan : https://launch-lab.jp/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to the tenth episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually.
In this tenth episode, we are joined by Erika Iwai and Allen Wong, co-founders of Sollective, which is a Japan based corporation that is re-inventing freelance in Japan by changing the views of companies towards freelancers.
Join us as Erika and Allen explains the stages of their buisness progression that led them to be recognized as one of Japan’s best 100 startups in 2023 by the Toyo Keizai magazine.
Time Stamps :
0:00 Introduction
3:35 About Sollective
4:44 How Does Sollective Help Freelancers?
6:04 What is “High-Level Talent”
10:35 What is Sollective's Competitive Advantage for Getting Into the Industry?
12:35 The Stages They Have Developed as a Company and How Many Users They HaveNow
14:06 Stage 1: The Beginning
16:38 What Is the difference between an HR Generalist and an HR BP?
19:59 Does Sollective find that to be a Huge Advantage in Developing theProduct?
21:29 How Did Sollective Gain their Initial Users?
28:26 Tips on How to Progress from the Starting Stage in the Japanese Market
31:56 Business Models Changes in the Earlier Stages
35:43 How Sollective Adapted their Personalities and Business Style in theBeginning
38:27 Stage 2: The Investment
39:43 How the Managed the Challenge of handling and balancing Companies andFreelancers in a Two-Way Marketplace
44:44 Stage 3
48:41 How Work Contracts and the Qualified Invoice System Impacted theirBusiness
54:19 Tips on How to Progress to Round 2 from Round 1
59:37 About the Trust between Them and Their Clients and Final Thoughts
Links from Guest Appearance :
Erika's LinkedIn | Allen's LinkedIn | Sollective's Website
The Japan Scalers Podcast is produced by our companies Scaling Your Company & Launch LabScaling Your Company offers several services
- Scaling Your Company : 1 on 1 advisory on sales, marketing, management
- Scaling Your Sales : Courses to increase your sales in Japan.
- Scaling Your Marketing : Creating websites in English or Japanese + SEO + MEO
- Launch Lab : Japan Incorporation Services
Discover how Launch Lab can simplify your journey and fuel your growth in Japan : https://launch-lab.jp/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. Today, we are joined by Aya Murota, who, since October 2023, has been the manager of global startups in the innovation promotion division of Yokohama City, with her department being part of the Economic Affairs Bureau. Aya brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role, having previously worked at a global startup company where she played a key role in building the business from scratch in Yokohama.
Join in as Aya shares about the startup scene in Yokohama, as well as the long history and the many innovations she's been involved in both within and beyond the vast multicultural port city of Japan.
Show Notes
0:00 Introduction
3:07 More About Yokohama City
5:09 The Industries or Business Types Sought in Yokohama
7:13 The Type of Support Offered for Entrepenurs
8:41 What Types of Companies Approve a Start UpVisa?
9:30 Definition of Start Up forYokohama
11:18 The Subsidiaries Offered
12:13 Types of Support and Programsfor the Stages of a Company
13:58 The Management Program
14:40 Success Cases of a Foreign Company in Yokohama
15:27 Rising Stars Coming Out of Yokohama
18:00 More History and the Open Natureabout Yokohama City
20:56 The Business Cultural Differences
21:41 The City’s Plans Moving Forward for the Next Three Years + Final Thoughts
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to the ninth episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually.
In this ninth episode, we are joined by Paul Kraft, the Founder and President of JapanIQ, who guides multinational corporations enter and succeed well in the Japanese market. He has helped launch and scaled brands already well known around the world in Japan, including Starbucks, Nespresso and the main subject of this interview, Haribo. Join us as Paul shares how he made the world famous gummy candy brand go from #8 to #1 in the Japanese market in the span of four years, helping it go from a niche imported brand to a worthy mainstream contender.
TimeStamps :
0:00 Introduction
3:25 Initiatives
4:29 About Haribo’s History in Japan
7:40 The Communication of the Packages to the Customer
11:45 Further Communication with Haribo with Television Advertising
14:28 Advantages and Experiences as a Leader for Growth
26:32 About the Competitive Nature of Convenience Stores
30:18 Convincing the Internal Business Team and the Likely Obstacles that Comes
40:10 Further Likely Obstacles Between the Japanese partners and Headquarters
45:10 “The Death of Thinking” and Inventory
50:00 “Walk the Talk” and “Doing Things that Don’t scale”
55:32 European Customer Support Time Zone Obstacles
56:38 Advice before Starting Sale in Japan
59:13 Consumer Understanding
1:05:40 Where to find Paul and Final Thoughts---Links from Guest Appearance :
LinkedIn | YouTube | JapanIQ
The Japan Scalers Podcast is produced by our companies Scaling Your Company & Launch LabScaling Your Company offers several services
- Scaling Your Company : 1 on 1 advisory on sales, marketing, management
- Scaling Your Sales : Courses to increase your sales in Japan.
- Scaling Your Marketing : Creating websites in English or Japanese + SEO + MEO
- Launch Lab : Japan Incorporation Services
Discover how Launch Lab can simplify your journey and fuel your growth in Japan : https://launch-lab.jp/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. In this episode, we are delighted to welcome back Robert Purss for the third time. He is the founder and managing director of McLaren Group, a Tokyo-based bilingual marketing consultancy offering comprehensive services, including marketing strategy, consumer research, and business development. In Part 3, he will delve into essential tools and methodologies for conducting effective research that sets the stage for achieving future success.
Join us as Robert shares valuable insights into market research and growth strategies in Japan, addressing why companies need market research, affordable research alternatives for businesses with limited budgets, and the advantages of consulting market research professionals.
Link to Part 1: https://scalingyourcompany.com/marketing-agencies-in-japan-part-1-with-robert-purss/
Link to Part 2: https://scalingyourcompany.com/marketing-agencies-in-japan-part-2-with-robert-purss/
Links from Guest Appearance:
LinkedIn | McLaren Group
Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction
2:34 What is Market Research?
3:24 Why Would a Company Need Market Research?
8:11 Existing Product Growth Strategy and New Product Growth Strategy
13:47 Research Tools for SME’s
16:20 Managing Data
19:37 What Research Can a Company with No Budget Do?
22:34 Leading Questions and Online Data Sources
27:14 Comprehensive Research: Quantitative and Qualitative
31:59 How Much Do Brands/Businesses Spend on Market Research?
34:15 80/20 Principle, Market Landscape Understanding, and Concept Testing
36:49 Talking to an Expert
39:12 In Which Departments or Budget Categories is Market Research Held?
40:27 Where Can I Find Japanese People To Do Micro-research?
42:20 Why Should Someone Use the Services of a Market Research Professional?44:04 Tips for Interviewing Japanese People
46:00 Final Comments
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to the eighth episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.
In this eighth episode, we are joined by Alex Zoboli, the Co-Founder and Managing Director at Cornerstone Recruitment Japan K.K, which is a Tokyo based recruitment firm focused on placing bilingual professionals in a wide range of market leading companies. He has successfully scaled the renowned recruitment agency RGF in Japan and has since launched his own firm. Join us as Alex shares his insights on recruitment, effective leadership, and the importance of being actively involved in the recruitment process.
Show notes:00:00: Introduction
5:17 Having Your Own Business
10:22 What Does a Recruitment Agency Do?
11:33 Twelve Industries in the Agency
14:21 Scaling the Company During Stage 1
20:10 Ideal People to Work With and Maintaining Them
27:15 Three Elements in Recruitment
29:20 Adapting Through the Stages
32:35 How Did You Adapt Your Personality and Business Style?
37:52 The Company's Advantage and Competitive Edge
42:35 Have You Had Employees Come Back?
43:19 Transitioning Style and Personality
46:44 Unique Strength for Japan
49:47 The Founder Doing the Interview/Recruitment
53:13 Bringing in Key People
55:31 Effective Qualities of a Leader
58:28 Challenges
1:00:41 About the Guest
Links from Guest Appearance :Linkedin | Cornerstone | Youtube Channel
---The Japan Scalers Podcast is produced by our companies Scaling Your Company & Launch LabScaling Your Company offers several services
- Scaling Your Company : 1 on 1 advisory on sales, marketing, management
- Scaling Your Sales : Courses to increase your sales in Japan.
- Scaling Your Marketing : Creating websites in English or Japanese + SEO + MEO
- Launch Lab : Japan Incorporation Services
Discover how Launch Lab can simplify your journey and fuel your growth in Japan : https://launch-lab.jp/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Milosz Bugajski, a partner and advertising lead at Humble Bunny, a Tokyo-based digital marketing agency renowned for its enterprise-level performance marketing services tailored to ambitious brands. The company excels in web design, coding, SEO, pay-per-click ads, and other services aimed at optimizing website and digital presence to drive growth in Japan.
Join us as Milosz dives into paid advertising in Japan, exploring how it works, why it matters, and sharing effective advertising strategies, along with other insightful topics.
Link to Nathan Hoernig's Episode: https://scalingyourcompany.com/episode-6-how-to-grow-from-1-10-employees-with-nathan-hoernig/
This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
Links from Guest Appearance:
Linkedin | Humble Bunny
---
Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction
2:51 Paid Online Ads: How They Work and Importance
6:45 What Would Be a High Quality Ad?
9:36 How Can an Agency Help Someone with Paid Ads?
13:33 Unique Characteristics of Japanese Online Advertising Market
18:52 Line Advertising in Japan
20:52 Good Target Market for Line Ads
21:54 First Steps in Starting Online Advertising
25:42 Cultural Nuances that Impacted an Ad Campaign
28:19 Common Mistakes that Foreign Businesses Make in Online Japanese Advertising
32:25 Differences Between Hiring A Specialist or Freelancer vs Agency
37:35 Strategies for Scaling Up Advertising
39:52 Good Return on Ad Spend
40:50 Trends in Japanese Online Advertising
44:28 About the Guest
45:09 Ideal Client
45:37 Brands the Company is Working With
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to the seventh episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.
In this seventh episode, we are joined by Tracey Northcott, the founder of Tokyo Family Stays, which provides short-term rentals for those looking for an apartment and authentic home in Japan. She has successfully scaled her business to more than 25 listings and has been able to scale a solid business with two full-time staff and freelancers. Join us as Tracey shares her inspiring journey of scaling her company to its current success, all the while maintaining her unwavering commitment to ethical business practices that prioritize the welfare of both staff and customers.
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction
3:19 Tokyo Family Stays and How It Began
8:01 Part-Time Residence
8:55 Target Market and Ideal Customer
15:58 Stage 1
18:23 Meeting the Demands
22:07 Challenges Faced in Stage 1
24:12 Building a Relationship with Local Communities
26:15 Debunking Myths about Living in Japan
27:27 Taking More Foreign Customers
29:33 What Would Define The 2nd Stage?
37:12 Creating A Brand
41:10 Being An Ethical Business Owner
43:15 Stage 3: Challenges and The Pandemic
46:34 How Did You Overcome This Challenge?
50:23 Why is Automation Important in The Next Stage?
57:26 Global Best Practices
1:05:01 What’s Next?
Links from Guest Appearance :Linkedin | Tokyo Family Stays
Introducing Launch Lab: Your Gateway to Incorporating in Japan!!
We are excited to announce the launch of our new service, Launch Lab, designed specifically to help foreign founders and companies incorporate in Japan. Our service offers affordable back-office support, along with assistance in raising additional capital and generating more leads and sales.
Discover how Launch Lab can simplify your journey and fuel your growth in Japan : https://launch-lab.jp/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to the sixth episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.
In this sixth episode, Michael Stobo joins us to share his experience scaling Tripadvisor. From 2014 to 2019, he served as the APAC Group Product Manager for Tripadvisor in Tokyo, where he grew the site's revenue, traffic, and engagement. With nearly 15 years in the online travel industry, Michael recently led the technology team at Tabist, developing B2B and B2C products for the hotel sector. Currently, he is a product management consultant and leader, advising and coaching companies on all aspects of product management.
Tune in as Michael discusses his expertise as a former project manager and the importance of collaborating with the right team to successfully manage a company.
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction
3:44 About Tripadvisor
8:12 What Does a Product Manager Do?
10:52 Interdepartmental Communication
13:40 Programming Skills
16:14 Type of Project Manager
17:31 Working with the Right People and Team
21:52 Important Role of a Project Manager
26:09 Scaling Tripadvisor
30:11 Bringing It To Japan
35:14 Framework in Decision Making
40:48 Tips on Communicating to Headquarters
43:26 Managing SEO
47:44 Communicating with the Japanese Team
54:05: Developing Confidence and Trust within the Japanese Team
56:53 About The Guest and Travel Industry
Links from Guest Appearance :
Linkedin | Trip Advisor
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. In this episode, we are joined by Steve Heller, the Chief Operating Officer of Hashi Media, a rapidly rising social media and influencer marketing agency based in Tokyo. The company specializes in tech, gaming, and lifestyle brands, serving a wide range of clients from small businesses to industry giants like Alibaba, MSI, and Dell.
Join us as Steve shares his expertise on influencer marketing in Japan, covering topics such as brand awareness, choosing the right platform, and more.
This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
Links from Guest Appearance:
Linkedin | Hashi Media
---
Show Notes:
00:00 Introducion
1:59 Influencer Marketing
5:01 What is an Influencer?
07:37 Unique Influencers in Japan
8:57 What is a Talento?
11:09 Tiers of Influencers
13:19 Media Platforms Influencers Use in Japan
15:12 Twitter as an Influencer Marketing Channel
17:29 Reaching Out to Influencers and Content Creators
20:43 Differences Between the Tiers
23:31 Advantages of Working With Hashi Media
25:43 Conflict Between Influencers and Agencies
28:57 Tips For a Company Doing Effective Influencer Marketing in Japan
32:27 Measuring the Success of a Campaign
36:39 Foreign Influencer Market in Japan
43:33 Trends in Influencer Marketing in Japan
44:42 Tips for Corporations Who Would Like to Work With Influencer Marketing Agencies
47:18 More Information about Hashi Media
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
This is the fifth episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.
In this fifth episode, we are thrilled to welcome Yan Fan, Co-founder of Code Chrysalis, as she shares her expertise in guiding individuals aspiring to establish careers in Japan's software engineering and tech sectors. This insightful discussion will delve into the importance of soft skills and a growth mindset in navigating the Japanese business landscape. Join us as Yan recounts the journey of nurturing Code Chrysalis, overcoming challenges, and ultimately achieving the remarkable success it has today.
This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction
3:48 Competitive Advantage: Work Experience and Growth Mindset
7:36 Career Direction and Mindset
9:43 Overcoming Challenges in Communicating Unique Selling Point
12:54 Stage 1
17:18 How Did You Communicate Success?
21:50 Community Building and Innovation
27:29 Personality and Business Style
30:02 Stage 2
32:00 Catalyst for Team Building
35:55 Other Challenges and “Grandiolarity Switching”
40:20 Unique Insights on Stage 2
45:24 Stage 3: Pivoting to Corporate Training
50:44 Challenges in Stage 3
1:02:47 Adapting to Evolve
Links from Guest Appearance :
Linkedin | Code Chrysalis
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. In this episode, we are joined once again by Scott Scofield, CEO of COVUE. COVUE is well-known as a leading brand operator in Japan which provides a full-service market entry platform. Following our previous discussion in Part 1 where Scott talked about choosing the right e-commerce sites in Japan, Part 2 will delve into logistics, import compliance, and post-sales procedures. This will cover topics including Japan's import regulations, with practical examples from food and beauty care products, as well as the correct application of marketing labels and licenses.
Join us as Scott shares his expertise and discusses how COVUE has successfully navigated challenges related to import compliance.
*Please note that the notes / documents mentioned within the episode are being reworked by COVUE due to updates in regulations, further updates will be posted onhere as well as COVUE's website.
This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
Links from Guest Appearance:
Linkedin | COVUE
---
Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction
01:38 Import Regulations in Japan
06:45 PSE and Power Electrical Safety
08:08 What was the Catalyst?
10:24 Foreign Sellers
12:58 Import Compliance in Japan
17:40 Phases of Regulations
21:32 Tariffs
24:03 Import Compliance for Food Products
31:18 Import Compliance for Beauty Care Products
35:46 Marketing Label and License
38:14 Strategies for Ensuring Compliance
39:56 Technology and Compliance
43:18 Solving Problems Involving Import Compliance
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
This is the fourth episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.
In this fourth episode, we are delighted to welcome David Macdonald, founder and CEO of DJMAC. His company specializes in corporate consulting and advisory, particularly in global and intercultural business challenges, drawing upon his extensive experience at Docomo, Disney, and YouTube, as well as his role as an outside director at KADOKAWA Corporation.
Join us as David shares his journey as one of YouTube's early executives in Japan and Asia, and how he led the team that expanded the creator economy in the region. Starting with just 5 team members, David grew it to over 50 in 5 years, benefiting tens of thousands of YouTubers and businesses.
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction
1:26 What is the “Creator Economy”?
2:38 Competitive Advantage
3:17 Stage 1 and the History of Youtube in Japan
7:25 Localization of the Market
10:12 Talent Scouting Youtubers and Partners
16:05 Tips on Getting Partners on Board
19:07 The Turning Point of Youtube
28:35 Importance of Localized Content
34:40 Who are the Right People to Hire?
37:22 What Defines Stage 2?
41:46 Challenges of Youtube
47:55 Takeaways from the Interview
49:08 What’s Next?
Links from Guest Appearance :Linkedin | DJMAC
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
This is the third episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.
In this third episode, Elizabeth Anne Kyle shares her journey of growing Arigato Travel from its humble beginnings as a cooking class to becoming an prominent inbound tourism company in Japan. As the founder and CEO of a company with over 500 trained guides and is the #1 Culinary Tours Company in Japan, she reflects on her experiences as a solopreneur and how her vision turned into a successful tourism business. Join us as we delve into Elizabeth's story to discover how she turned her passion into a successful venture, enriching guests' experiences with profound and unforgettable experiences.
This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction and about Arigato Travel
03:59 Target market & competitive advantage
07:56 Stage 1
12:28 : Challenges & Solution in Stage 1
19:33 : Advantages for a foreigner in Stage 1
32:41 Adapting your personality to the business
34:47 Stage 2 (going from food tour to full plan inbound)
40:51 Importance of a good Internship program for a business
44:15 Having good accounting in Stage 2
49:10 Challenges during the pandemic
54:51 How to maintain service quality as you scale
57:42 What's next for Arigato Travel?
Links from Guest Appearance :
Linkedin | Arigato Travel
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. Today we're joined by Scott Scofield, CEO of COVUE. COVUE is well-known as a brand operator in Japan where they provide a full-service market entry platform into Japan. From import to logistics to retail, COVUE is a one-stop solution for foreign brands who wish to enter Japan.
We are gonna do a two-part series with Scott with part one on e-commerce systems in Japan and part two will focus on logistics, compliance, and the other parts after selling.
This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
Links from Guest Appearance:
COVUE
Scott Scofield LinkedIn
Show Notes:
00:00: Introduction
2:36: What is Rakuten?
8:24: Challenges of creating an account
10:35: Restrictions on opening an account
13:26: Unique insights on Rakuten’s loyalty point system
20:21: About Amazon
34:17: Further insights on Amazon
36:10: About Yahoo Shopping
53:12: Is it easy to create an account in Yahoo Shopping?
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Takuo Urushihara, who serves as the Program Manager (international) for Venture Café Tokyo. Recommended by acquaintances for his expertise in community building, Takuo has spearheaded the growth of Venture Cafés, initially beginning with events in Tokyo and expanding to numerous other cities across Japan and throughout Asia.
His efforts have successfully attracted both Japanese locals and foreigners to participate in their events, showcasing the inclusive nature of their initiatives. In this podcast, Takuo discusses communities that exist in Japan, what Japanese and Foreign guests seek from venture cafes, and insights on building a community!
This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
Links from Guest Appearance:
Venture Cafe Tokyo
Venture Cafe Tokyo - Events
Show Notes:
00:00: Introduction
3:31: About CIC and venture cafes
7:35: What type of communities exist in Japan?
14:42: The concept of "online salon" communities in Japan
19:03: What do both Japanese and Foreign guests seek from venture cafes and start-up events in a multicultural community?
27:28: What do both Japanese and Foreign guests seek from venture cafes and start-up events in a Japanese community?
29:52 Insights on building the core group of a community
42:19: Networking culture in Japan vs. America
45:10: Tips for growing your community
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services.
Visit here to learn how he can help
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
This is the second episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes, so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.
In this second episode, Bela Schweiger will share his story as an expert in scaling Häagen-Dazs. With an impressive track record including collaborations with major brands like The Coca-Cola Company, Nokia, General Mills, and L’Orèal, Bela shares his knowledge into spearheading the transformation of Häagen-Dazs in Japan and pioneering AI-driven ESG solutions for the Japanese market. Join us in today's episode as we look into Bela's experiences with innovative strategies and strategic partnerships that drove the successful revamp of Häagen-Dazs, imparting valuable lessons for businesses in the Japanese market.
This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com
Show notes:
00:00: Introduction
02:14: What type of companies do you typically help to expand the Japanese market?
11:05: Advice on scaling your business and brand in Japan
14:50: About Häagen-Dazs coming into the Japanese market
24:40: About innovation and new product development
31:32: What was the situation when Häagen-Dazs first brought you in?
35:46: Dynamic change in Häagen-Dazs Japan
39:22: Brainstorming and its role in scaling up your business
45:10: Case Study of Costco Japan wanting a product due to a Korean Manga
46:32: Problems faced with Häagen-Dazs
49:28: Overcoming problems through the use of vending machines
53:05: Secret to scaling
Links from Guest Appearance :
Linkedin | Life-Lab
Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
This is a very special episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. It will be our first of many episodes on Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episode, so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.
In this first episode, Tyson himself will share his story as the co-founder of One Coin English, an English language school. With over 8000 students and a team of 200+ employees, Tyson shares how he scaled the company from scratch, leveraging unbeatable pricing and strategic locations. Overcoming initial trust hurdles, he overcame challenges like teacher recruitment and promotional overflow. Tyson walks us through the stages of growth, from proving the business model to expanding to multiple schools. He emphasizes the importance of building a resilient team, seizing timing advantages, and transitioning from founder to business leader.
Show Notes :
0:00: Introduction
1:12: What company do you scale?
2:35: What was your company’s competitive advantage?
2:57: Problems faced during this scaling process
4:42: Stage 1: What were the stages of One Coin English?
5:17: Advantages and how you utilized them
8:39: Challenges faced at this stage
10:24: Unique insights
12:50: How did you adapt your personality at this stage?
16:05: Stage 2 of Once Coin English: can we actually scale this business model or not?
17:09: Advantages and how you utilized them in stage 2?
20:10: Challenges faced at this stage
21:35 Unique insights
22:44: How did you adapt your personality at this stage?
26:33: Stage 3: Becoming a professional company.& advantages at this stage
30:30: Challenges faced at this stage
36:07: Unique insights---Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !!
We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino.
This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome once again Robert Purss, Founder and Managing Director of McLaren Group. Following our discussion in Part 1, we will explore the ways to find the right marketing agency for your company. This includes paying for and evaluating pitches from agencies, when you should ask for a second-round pitch, and how to structure your contract and scope of engagement.
Here's the link for those who missed part 1 : https://scalingyourcompany.com/marketing-agencies-in-japan-part-1-with-robert-purss/
Links from Guest Appearance:
LinkedIn
McLaren Group Marketing
Marketing Agencies Presentation Slides
Show Notes:
01:59 Recap for Part 1
09:55 How to find the right agency?
16:39 Paying for a marketing pitch from different agencies
19:30 Developing a brief for the agencies
24:37 At what contract level is fair to ask for two rounds?
28:12 How to evaluate a marketing agency / freelancer?
31:37 Contract and Scope of Engagement
33:20 How to Structure Payment Expectations
38:55 How to work smoothly with a marketing agency?---
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services.
Visit here to learn how he can help
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Momoka Ebi, an accomplished professional specializing in PR, sales, and marketing. At Redhill Japan, Momoka oversees key client management while driving sales, human resources, and marketing initiatives. With Redhill's rapid growth since 2014 and its presence in 22 countries across Asia, Momoka emphasizes the firm's focus on providing comprehensive PR solutions to both foreign companies entering Japan and Japanese firms expanding globally. This episode touches on topics of Redhill’s role in helping companies in Japan, PR localization, working with traditional media in Japan, and many more. Listen in to get to know more about PR in Japan!
Links from Guest Appearance:
LinkedIn
Redhill
00:00: Introduction
1:20: About Redhill Japan
1:45: How does Redhill help companies in Japan?
2:06: What type of clients does Redhill have?
3:02: What is PR?
4:23: Difference between PR and marketing
7:11: How can PR be beneficial for doing business in Japan?
11:40: How does Japanese culture affect the way you do PR?
15:55: What are some common pitfalls that companies make in doing their PR?
18:44: Impact of Social Media in PR
21:05: Differences between the Japanese and foreign media landscape?
23:31: The dominance of traditional media in Japan despite social media
25:02: Insights in working with traditional Japanese media
25:56: Role of press clubs in Japan
37:38: Can other non-conventional journalists participate in press clubs?
29:13: Key components of a successful PR strategy in Japan
38:17: Further insights on localization in Japan
40:06: Role and importance of influencers and celebrity endorsements in Japan as a foreign brand
42:48: Insights on event planning and management in Japan
43:38: Unique points in terms of customer service
46:21: What does a PR agency actually do?
47:26: Exploring PR Agency support for media presence
52:31: Emerging trends in 2023 and 2024
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services.
Visit here to learn how he can help
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Kaga Yusuke from JETRO's Startup Support Division and Will Ferguson, an expert in international startup growth. We explored JETRO's role in aiding Japanese and foreign startups, uncovering case studies and tips for navigating the Japanese market. We will also discuss JETRO plans for 2024 to support startups, like their Techstars Accelerator program. This episode is perfect for those who wish to propel their startup journey in and out of Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance:
LinkedIn - Yusuke Kaga
LinkedIn - Will Ferguson
JETRO Startup Scouting Service
Show Notes:
(00:00): Introduction
(4:39): What ministry is JETRO a part of?
(5:13): JETRO’S expanding role in startups
(7:06): JETRO’s unique support system
(11:04): How does JETRO help Japanese startups?
(14:49): Japanese case studies and tips for Japanese companies and startups
(23:20): How does JETRO help foreign startups?
(27:04): Tips for foreign companies entering Japan
(31:35): Additional information on how to help foreign startups or Japanese companies
(33:52): JETRO’s plans in 2024
(37:59): Application period for Techstars Accelerator
(39:48): Connecting with JETRO: How can companies connect with Will and Yusuke?
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services.
Visit here to learn how he can help
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Robert Purss, Founder and Managing Director of McLaren Group, a Tokyo-based bilingual Marketing Consultancy offering end-to-end services including Marketing Strategy, Consumer Research, and Business Development. With over 15 years of experience, Robert's professional journey includes key marketing roles with global giants such as Nielsen, Reckitt, and Perfetti van Melle, managing renowned brands like Veet, MediQtto, and Mentos. Having overseen the localization and launch of over 50 products in the Japanese market, tune in as Robert joins us to share insights on aspects involving marketing agencies, various agency types, and the pros and cons of agencies of different sizes. Don't miss Part 2, where we'll delve into choosing the right marketing agency!
Links from Guest Appearance:
LinkedIn
McLaren Group Marketing
Marketing Agencies Presentation Slides
Show Notes:
00:00: Introduction
2:04: What is marketing to you?
4:40: What is a marketing agency?
5:31: What are some marketing agency types?
6:38: What do marketing agencies do?
16:09: About freelancers
17:34: Pros on freelancers
19:55: Cons working with freelancers
20:56: Production companies
21:50: Pros of production companies
23:15: Cons of production companies
27:34: About small-sized agencies
28:42: Pros of small-sized agencies
29:38: Cons of small-sized agencies
34:42: About mid to large-size agencies
36:58: Pros of mid to large-size agencies
37:41: Examples of mid-sized agencies
42:09: Differences between mid and large-size agencies in terms of their services
44:24: Agency types and impact on media
45:18: Diving into paid media
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services.
Visit here to learn how he can help
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Robert Heldt, the CEO of Custom Media. Serving as a comprehensive B2B agency, Custom Media specializes in providing marketing, branding, and PR solutions tailored to global enterprises seeking to establish or grow their presence in the Japanese market. Under Robert's leadership, Custom Media extends its expertise to diverse industries such as technology, manufacturing, energy, real estate, and finance. In 2023 Custom Media also won the Campaign Asia’s Japan/Korea Content Marketing Agency of the Year Award.
Links from Guest Appearance:
Custom Media Assessment Check Sheet: Is ABM Suitable for Your Business?
Show Notes:
00:00: Introduction
02:07: What is ABM (Account Based Marketing)
04:04: What was B2B Marketing like before this?
10:30: Why are companies switching to ABM?
20:40: What are some of the risks implemented in ABM?
23:56: Does ABM work in Japan
26:16: Additional methods and differences used in Japan
29:33: How many meetings does it take to get good information?
31:01: International software that works well in Japan
37:45: What are some domestic software that works well in Japan?
39:45: What areas of ABM are harder to adapt or learn?
41:48: Example of a company you helped, how you did it, and the results they saw
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services.
Visit here to learn how he can help
Send in a voice message:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Antti Sonninen. Antti is the main organizer of Takeoff Tokyo, the place for internationally ambitious entrepreneurs. Originally from Finland, Antti came to Japan 10+ years ago first bringing the Angry Birds game here as the company's first country director. Antti has also worked on several projects bridging the tech communities of Japan and the rest of the world, most notably as co-founder and CEO of Slush Tokyo. He will discuss the importance of attending startup events in Tokyo, highlighting the benefits for founders, investors, and corporations. Antti will also share strategies for maximizing event participation and mention some major startup events in Japan, along with insights on the cost of organizing such events.
Links from Guest Appearance :
Takeoff Tokyo
Show Notes :
(00:00) Introduction
(02:26) takeoff Tokyo
(11:38) Why go to a startup event
(12:50) What happens at a startup event
(15:43) Benefits for attending startup events for founders and investors
(21:25) Benefits of attending a startup corporation
(22:32) Maximize Event Participation as a founder
(29:57) Maximize Event Participation as an Investor
(32:24) Maximize Event Participation as a Corporation
(41:28) What are some major events in Japan
(46:31) Cost of running a startup eventCoaching with TysonLooking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how hecan help.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Jeff Crawford, the CEO of Zo Digital Japan. They are a Digital Marketing agency based in Tokyo that provides SEO, Content Marketing, PPC advertising, Digital PR, and more to Overseas companies entering Japan, as well as foreign-minded Japanese companies. In this episode, Jeff discusses the fundamental concept of SEO and its universal applicability for companies seeking enhanced online visibility. Jeff shares intriguing cases of successful SEO strategies in Japan and explores the critical role of EEAT in Google’s algorithm and the impact of AI technologies on SEO. Jeff also talks about the distinctions between SEO and SEM and the qualities that define an outstanding agency.
Links from Guest Appearance
Zodigital
tokyodigitalmarketers
Show Notes:
(00:00) Introductions
(05:52) What is SEO
(07:05) Why and when should a company consider using SEO
(08:05) What types of companies can benefit from using SEO
(21:06) What search engines are popular in Japan and how are they similar & how are they different
(22:05) The differences in search behavior between Japanese and those in Western or other Asian countries
(28:47) What is EEAT and why should we care
(34:09) How has AI affected SEO recently
(47:28) The qualities of a good agency
(50:17) Conclusions & Jeff Crawford's contact information
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services.
Visit here to learn how he can help
Send in a voice message:
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In this episode of Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Dustin Ikeda, the co-founder of Hashi Media. One of the leading social media and marketing agencies in Japan for gaming, tech, and lifestyle. Dustin explores social media platforms that are popular in both the West and Japan, highlighting many unique platforms in Japan. He delves into the differences between Western and Japanese social media and recommends platforms for targeting foreigners in Japan. The conversation also covers the pros and cons of agencies versus freelancers, along with common marketing mistakes.
Links from Guest Appearance
Hashi Media
Show Notes:
(00:00) Introductions
(02:53) Dustin’s social media platforms expertize
(03:34) Social media platforms that are both popular in the west and in Japan
(04:27) Social media platforms that are not popular among Japanese
(08:06) Social media platforms that are unique to Japan
(14:28) Key differences between social media platforms in the west and in Japan
(22:15) Social media platforms Dustin recommends to target foreigners in Japan
(27:51) Pros and Cons between an agency versus a freelancer
(34:06) Common mistakes marketing agency make when it comes to social media
(40:48) Dustin’s company and contact
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In this episode of Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Goki Sawada, the co-founder of Mixer, a design service that provides professional digital designs for Japanese businesses. Discover the challenges faced by Japanese companies in accessing global designs due to language barriers and unique design philosophies. Goki delves into the distinctions between Japanese and foreign designs, exploring elements of web, software, and visual design. Goki shares insights on industry-specific design in Japan and discusses exceptional Japanese websites. This podcast also touches on the effectiveness of minimalist designs in the Japanese market and explores differences in copywriting approaches.
Links from Guest Appearance
mixer design studios
Show Notes:
(00:00) Introductions
(03:41) General differences between Japanese and foreign designs when it comes to flyers, websites, and other visuals and why
(13:42) Unique elements of website or visual design depending on the industry in Japan
(15:13) Examples of websites in Japan and why do Goki thinks they are great
(24:24) Do minimalist designs work well in Japan?
(26:21) Are there differences when it comes to copywriting?
(28:10) Are there differences when it comes to creating logos?
(29:16) Conclusions & comments
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In this episode of Scaling Japan Podcast, we are once again joined by Joshua Flannery, the CEO of Innovation Dojo and a pivotal figure in Japan's startup landscape. With a keen focus on assisting foreign entrepreneurs, Joshua delves into Japan's startup events, dissecting the advantages of large versus smaller gatherings. Gain insights into the world of pitch contests, discovering the prizes at stake and understanding the strategic industries that benefit most. Uncover the power of startup communities and groups, exploring the resources they offer and the collaborative spirit they foster. Joshua also discusses the concept of business matching, revealing its significance and practical applications. Tune in for a deep dive into the Japan startup scene with a true expert.
Links from Guest Appearance
Linkedin
Kobe Global Startup Support program
Japan Business Development service for foreign universities looking for R&D partnerships in Japan
Show Notes:
(02:15) The startup events in Japan
(09:25) The events in Kansai
(12:30) About pitch contests
(17:26) Pitch contests prices
(21:14) Startup communities & groups
(27:40) What is open Innovation
(36:41) How can a startup determine which open innovation to participate in
(38:28) What is business matching
(41:51) Types of clients Joshua Flannery is accepting
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In this episode of Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Joshua Flannery, the founder and CEO of Innovation Dojo Group, delves into the key aspects of the startup ecosystem. He explores the roles of incubators and accelerators in fostering early-stage ventures. Joshua highlights the significance of vibrant startup cities as hubs for innovation and collaboration. Additionally, he shares insights on leveraging overseas universities' innovation and R&D departments for global entrepreneurship.
Links from Guest Appearance
Kobe Global Startup Support program
Japan Business Development service for foreign universities looking for R&D partnerships in Japan
Show Notes:
(3:06) About incubators
(7:57) About accelerators
(20:19) Start up cities
(30:31) Overseas university’s innovation/R&D/startup department and entering the Japanese market
Coaching with Tyson
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In this episode of Scaling your company, we are delighted to have John Kirch, a Tokyo-based consultant with over 30 years of experience in helping international startups enter the Japanese market and providing B2B software solutions. Today, we'll delve into the world of Proof of Concepts (PoCs) and their significance in the Japanese business landscape. John will share insights on the value of PoCs, their popularity among Japanese corporations and the government, and the distinctions between PoCs and paid projects, offering a wealth of knowledge to our listeners.
Links from Guest Appearance
Gmail
Show Notes:
(1:27) Self introduction
(2:57) What is POCs
(7:28) Why are PoC's popular with Japanese corporations and the Japanese government?
(11:42) The difference between a PoC and a paid project
(12:22) The ranges of how long a PoC has gone in John Kirch experience in Japan
(17:57) The unique expectations for a foreign company entering the Japan market when doing their first PoC
(20:32) The differences in metrics and responsibilities
(21:55) How to launch a PoC successfully in Japan.
(24:04) How should a company approach a PoC and what are signs of success / danger signs at each of the following stages, i.e. negotiation, execution, and post-execution?
(26:46) What is PoC hell and how do we avoid this?
(30:16) Ways to penalize another company if they are not committing their end of the bargain or are creating delays
(33:38) Why do many companies fail to make it past the PoC stage?
(35:12) What frameworks would John Kirch recommend for managing a PoC?
(40:43) Requests for the listeners and where can they find John Kirch
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In this episode of Scaling your company podcast, we have Takashi Nishida, the CEO of Sophia Projects and a Business Development and Customer Success consultant. He will discuss the importance of hiring the right salesperson for the Japanese market and the role of a business developer in Japan. Takashi Nishida highlights the need for market assessment, connections to target buyers, and understanding Japanese business dynamics.
Links from Guest Appearance
Techmahindra
Show Notes
(0:42) Takashi Nishida introduction
(2:00) What does a business developer do in Japan?
(4:15) Why is a BD necessary in Japan?
(6:22) What do foreign companies tend to misunderstand about Japan?
(15:45) Why does cold calling often not work in Japan for foreign corporations?
(21:20) What types of contracts do BDs have with companies?
(21:30) Salaried contracts
(24:25) Salaried & Success contracts
(27:54) Commission only
(29:47) What would a company do to attract experienced BD in Japan
(31:42) Where do you find BDs in Japan
(35:37) Ending comments & thoughts
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Welcome to this special episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast.Today, we're delighted to host two distinguished guests: Satoru Ichihara and Akihiro Mori. Satoru serves as the General Manager of Station AI, an innovative startup support center in Aichi ; Akihiro is the Assistant Director in the overseas collaboration division for Aichi prefecture. They'll talk about why Aichi and Nagoya are excellent locations for startups and discuss the programs available to support startups in the region.
Links from Guest Appearance
Satoru's LinkedIn┃Akihiro's LinkedIn┃StationAI┃Accelerate Aichi - 500 Global
Show Notes
(0:00) About Satoru & Akihiro
(4:53) Three things you should know about Aichi & Nagoya
(7:29) Industries Aichi is known for
(9:02) Why start your company in Aichi?
(11:52) What are some startup programs offered at Aichi?
(13:49) What does StationAI do?
(16:31) Accelerate Aichi - 500 Global
(22:03) Collaborations with the foreign organizations
(24:13) Financial Support Aichi offer to startups
(26:52) Requirements to applying to Aichi's subsidies
(29:55) Does StationAi invest in companies?
(32:07) Requirments to StationAI fund
(32:52) Who are the rising stars of Aichi & Nagoya startup?
(36:20) What is so Unique about Nagoya?
(38:40) What are business culture differences in Nagoya?
(42:56) What are Nagoya /StationAI'ss plans for the next 3 years
Coaching with Tyson
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we have Yoshi Nishikawa, he is an innovation specialist for the city of Kobe and he will tell us more today about Kobe city and its approach to startups. He will also share success stories from both local and foreign startups in Kobe This episode is a part of our series on startup cities, and we have interviewed Kobe, Aichi, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Shibuya.
Links from Guest Appearance
InvestKobe┃NextKitchen-Kobe┃Climate Tech Challenge
Show Notes
(02:54) About Kobe
(05:36) Industries that Kobe is strong at
(11:52) What is Life-Tech KOBE?
(13:21) What type of support Does Kobe offer foreign entrepreneurs?
(17:26) Financial Support From Kobe
(19:41) Success cases of a foreign company / startup in Kobe
(27:47) What is unique about Kobe?
(30:45) How can a startup develop more trust with cities / Japanese companies?
(35:49) Plans for Kobe for the next two years
(37:56) Kobe's current startup programs
Coaching with Tyson
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we have Younes Hairej, founder and CEO at Aokumo, which helps medium to large corporations simplify their cloud operations through their platform. We will dive into the important topic of system integrators or SIers in Japan, which is a key component to any long-term expansion in Japan for software companies.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Aokumo
Show Notes
(3:00) What does a Japanese system integrator do?
(5:40) How Significant are system integrators in Japan?
(9:38) What type of companies do system integrators help?
(10:26) How did system integrators come about in Japan?
(12:17) Benefits to using system integrators
(13:48) Downsides to using system integrators
(19:33) How does system integrators impact startups?
(22:22) How to select to right system integrator for your company?
(25:17) Famous system integrators in Japan
(27:42) How to actually find system integrators
(28:45) Getting system integrators as partners as a foreign company
(30:50) Do you need Japanese to work with system integrators?
(34:10) How to get that meeting with a system integrator in Japan?
(39:06) Why are system integrators important for your long-term expansion strategy?
(43:58) Who is Aokumo and what do they do?
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Gerrard Lai, a Senior Associate at MUFG Innovation Partners, the CVC arm of the well-known Japanese bank. This is part two of our series on Corporate Venture Capital, in part 1 Makoto Shibata of Finolabs gave a great introduction and we would look to go deeper into the topic. You can listen to part 1 here.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
MUFG Innovation Partners
Show Notes
(1:40) What makes CVC different from venture capital?
(3:35) How much do Japanese CVCs actually invest?
(5:20) Who are the big CVCs players in Japan?
(8:10) Are there any unique changes to CVC investment in 2023 or 2024?
(10:10) Do CVCs typically lead rounds?
(12:40) What companies are the sweet spot for most CVCs?
(17:00) Do CVCs invest in companies from overseas?
(19:22) What is the best way to approach CVCs?
(21:37) How do CVCs evaluate a company?
(27:00) Pitch deck and pitch types for founders when approaching CVCs
(29:00) What are MUFG goals for creating a CVC arm?
(32:10) What areas do you like to invest in and why?
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome William Ryan, the CEO of Japan Hospitality Consultants, who supports fellow expats to open up their own bars, cafes, or restaurants in Japan. He has managed pubs for more than 20 years and more than 7 years with his own pub, An Solas Irish Pub in Yoyogi. Today he will provide unique insights into how an entrepreneur could open their own restaurant in Japan, and some points entrepreneurs need to know before starting their own restaurant.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Japan Hospitality Consultants
Show Notes
(2:46) Difference between Running a restaurant in Japan vs. another country
(6:57) Common Mistakes Foreign Restaurant Owners Make
(12:13) Do you need a Japanese partner to start a restaurant?
(13:41) What do Japan Hospitality Consultants do to help expats open their stores?
(24:14) The ideal Japanese partner for the hospitality industry
(28:22) How much for rent in Tokyo and how much capital do you need to start a restaurant?
(30:22) What are some laws we need to be aware of?
(31:53) Potential issues / criteria when choosing a location
(33:10) Thoughts on campaign and point cards
(37:20) Importance of having different payment systems
(40:07): Thoughts on Customer service
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are happy to welcome back Ruth Jarman, the founder and CEO of Jarman International KK. She also sits on the board of Directors as outside Director for KADOKAWA and Fujibo Holdings. In our previous episodes together, episode 38 and episode 43, she has shared how foreign business owners can build a strong network and understanding Japanese budget timelines.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Jarman International KK
Show Notes
(3:42) How to establish good communication with your sub contractor
(6:54) Potential negotiables
(10:28) Additional communication tips
(14:09) Mid project challenges and how to overcome them
(17:35) Having payment/bank information
(22:57) When are project payments
(26:25) Connecting with contractors
(33:49) How to pick up signals as a foreigner
(39:47) Knowing your worth
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Yoshiro Tasaka.
Additional Resources
Blackbox
Episode 7: How to Get Japanese Government Money for Your Business with Miho Tanaka
Show Notes
(0:38) Yoshiro Tasaka's self introduction
(2:28) What is Shibuya startups
(5:30) Target audience of Shibuya startups
(8:30) Subsides and funding
(9:10) Sucess stories of foreign founders
(11:06) Why choose Shibuya
(14:53) Future plans
(17:21) Case studies of companies with proof of concept (POC)
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are excited to welcome back Miho Tanaka. She was one of the first few guests on the podcast, sharing insight into Japan's government grants and loans for entrepreneurs. Today, Miho will be discussing the benefits of launching a startup in Sapporo city and the support available for business owners.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Startup Work Inc.
Startup City Sapparo
Additional Resource
Adventure Travel World Summit
Show Notes
(1:08) Miho Tanaka's self introduction
(2:31) Key industries in Hokkaido
(5:39) Benefits and incentives for startups
(8:01) Soft landing subsidies for foreign startups
(9:35) Community available for foreign corportaions
(10:36) What makes the startup visa process unique
(14:29) What does the soft landing subsidy entail
(16:17) Support for proof of concept opportunities
(17:17) Success cases of foreign companies
(19:48) Why choose Sapparo
(24:39) Business culture of Sapparo vs Tokyo
(28:05) Future plans for Hokkaido
(32:02) Adventure Travel World Summit
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are excited to welcome back Rochelle Kopp. She is the founder and managing principal of Japan Intercultural Consulting and serves as a independent board director at MS&AD Insurance and Lightworks Corporation. Last episode Rochelle shared her knowledge on Japanese business culture, so be sure to check that out. Today, she will be diving deeper into Japanese businesss manners.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Twitter
Japan Intercultural Consulting
Show Notes
(0:52) Rochelle Kopp's self introduction
(2:03) Importance of understanding Japanese business manners
(3:47) 'Kuuki yomenai' explained
(5:35) Unacceptable business manners in Japan
(7:44) Using proper greetings
(12:51) Where to sit in a business setting
(17:12) Drinking culture in the business setting
(22:33) How to handle claims
(23:51) How to handle going over budget
(25:19) How to handle being late on deliverables
(28:40) How foreingers can communicate better in english
(31:01) Japanese communication styles
(32:17) Unique Japanese gestures
(34:09) How foreigners can communicate better in Japanese
(34:56) Ways Japanese people say no without saying no
(37:44) Talk less, listen more
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are delighted to be joined by Rochelle Kopp. She is the founder and managing principal of Japan Intercultural Consulting and serves as a independent board director at MS&AD Insurance and Lightworks Corporation. As a renowned expert in Japan, she will be sharing her knowledge on Japanese business culture.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Japan Intercultural Consulting
Links to Additional Resources
Japan Intercultural Consulting - Articles
Show Notes
(1:21) Rochelle Kopp's self introduction
(2:28) How are decisions made in a Japanese business
(3:18) What is 'nemawashi'
(4:36) Differences in the approval process
(7:23) How to find the middle ground with mixed employees
(12:24) Tips for foreign managers managing Japanese staff
(15:46) How to develop stronger relationships
(21:18) Why are Japanese people risk adverse
(26:19) How can managers reduce risk aversion among staff
(29:18) Differences in persuasion methods
(34:43) How Japanese companies can move fast once decisions are made
(38:16) Invest over time
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are happy to welcome back Schyler Alexandra Cole, an associate at Incubate Fund and a founder of Startup Co-Creation Community. Be sure to check out our previous episodes together, Episode 40: VCs in Japan and Episode 42: Part 2 VCs in Japan, where we talked about how to better understand what venture capitalists are looking for. Today, Schyler will be sharing her expertise on how to create effective pitch decks.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Incubate Fund KK
Co-Creation Community
Links to Additional Resources
This Week in Startups
What should be on your pitch deck
Show Notes
(1:05) Feedback about previous episodes
(3:07) Main types of pitch decks
(7:12) Red flags to watch out for
(8:26) Pitch decks for investor meetings
(11:25) How to increase your chances of success
(17:04) What VCs look for in a good pitch deck
(18:04) Pitch competitions
(20:14) Keep practicing
(22:18) What to avoid
(26:13) Stating expectations
(30:50) What should be on your pitch deck
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are happy to welcome back Ruth Jarman, the founder and CEO of Jarman International KK. She also sits on the board of Directors as outside Director for KADOKAWA and Fujibo Holdings. In our previous episode together, episode 38, she shared how foreign business owners can build a strong network and form new B2B relationships. Today, Ruth will be covering the ins and outs of budget timelines and contracts when selling to the government.
Links from Guest Appearance
Jarman International KK
Show Notes
(3:36) Budget timeline for government explained
(6:44) Budget timeline for third tier sub contractors
(8:51) Other possibilities
(11:38) Roles and responsibilities explained
(12:42) Importance of completing the contract
(15:38) Transparency about money is key
(24:24) How to expect the unexpected
(26:39) Tips on recieving a first contract
(30:37) KK vs GK
(33:21) Advice for first time contracts
(36:54) Understanding the flexible points
(38:40) Know your worth
(41:28) How to effectively work in the grey
Coaching with TysonLooking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are happy to welcome back Schyler Alexandra Cole, an associate at Incubate Fund and a founder of Startup Co-Creation Community. Be sure to check out our previous episode together, episode 40: VCs in Japan, where we talked about how to better understand what venture capitalists are looking for. Today, we will be continuing that conversation as well as delving into how to successfully raise money.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Incubate Fund KK
Co-Creation Community
Show Notes
(2:30) Types of companies and business models that VC firms invest in
(4:18) Types of companies that VCs avoid
(5:36) What it means to 'have traction'
(8:24) Early stage capital
(9:49) Understanding founder market fit
(11:03) Working together with a co-founder
(12:19) Reasons why VCs reject companies
(13:35) Understanding the meanings behind key VC language
(18:39) Why things might be lagging in between steps
(19:32) Average investment amount for pre-seed
(20:35) How can a pre-seed founder increases their chances of being funded
(23:11) Espectations of seed stage explained
(23:43) Expectiations of series A explained
(27:21) How to effectively follow up
(30:13) Additional tips
(33:10) Important questions to ask investors
(38:56) Advice for creating great pitch decks
(42:25) Determining valuation in Japan
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Tim Romero as he sheds light on the startup ecosystem in Japan. He discusses how the startup ecosystem has developed over the last decade and what are its current and potential future trends. He also mentions what is needed to take the ecosystem even further.
Tim Romero hosts the Disrupting Japan podcast, the original and number one podcast on startups in Japan and he is a pioneer for foreign founders in Japan. His content has helped inspire countless foreign and Japanese entrepreneurs to make the startup journey.
Show Notes
02:30 - Foreigners in Japan have an outsize role to play in the startup ecosystem in Japan
05:57 - Status of Startups in Japan
07:45 - Comparison of Startups in Japan vs the US
08:10 - Positive Trends in Startups in Japan
15:25 - Changes in the startup ecosystem in Japan in the last 5 years
18:55 - Understanding the proper pitch to investors
21:15 - New trends in the Startup ecosystem in Japan in 2023
27:55 - Catalysts of the changes in the startup ecosystem in Japan
29:45 - Current gaps in the Startup ecosystem in Japan
32:40 - Community building for startups for foreigners vs Japanese
38:50 - How to get more Japanese participants for the startup ecosystem
Want to learn more about business scaling in Japan? Subscribe here for LinkedIn newsletter updates on future episodes!
Links from Guest Appearance
- Reach out to Tim Romero on Linkedin.
- Make sure to check out Disrupting Japan Podcast for more valuable insights on startups in Japan.
Link to additional resource
- You can read our article about Creating A Startup in Japan
- Guide to Venture Capital in Japan article
- Know more about angel investment in Japan with Yuki Shirato
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level?
Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. He is a resident mentor of the 500 Global Japan program and has helped many seed-series A-level companies in Japan. Visit here to learn how he can help
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Schyler Alexandra Cole, an associate at Incubate Fund and a founder of Startup Co-Creation Community. This will be part one of a two part series covering venture capital in Japan. Today's focus will be on how to understand venture capitalists so that you can make a meaningful first impression. Be sure to stay tuned for part two when we delve into how to raise money.
Links from Guest Appearance
Incubate Fund KK
Links to Additional Resource
Co-Creation Community
Venture Deals by Brad Feld, Jason Mendelson, and Dick Costolo
Show Notes
(1:20) Schyler's self introduction
(5:02) What qualifies as early stage
(5:52) Difference between the seed stages
(6:39) Types of companies that VCs invest in
(8:48) Types of companies that VCs avoid
(10:03) How many companies reach out to Incubate Fund
(12:12) Reaching out to VCs
(15:09) Who to reach out to in the VC team
(18:54) Schyler's experience as a VC
(21:35) Overview of positions in a VC firm
(23:27) Qualities of a good VC candidate
(27:54) How to better engage with VC
(29:10) Advice for foreign entrepreneurs
(30:02) Startup Co-Creation Community
(33:01) Making connections in Japan as a foreign founder
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are excited to be joined by Ziv Nakajima-Magen, the co-founder and partner at Nippon Tradings International and Nippon Bridge. He too is a podcast host, running the Japan Real Estate podcast that offers helpful insights into the property market of Japan. Ziv will be sharing his expertise on the ins and outs of purchasing a franchise in Japan and Japanese franchisor networks.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Nippon Bridge
Japan Real Estate podcast
Show Notes
(1:14) Ziv Nakajima-Magen's self introduction
(7:28) Advantages to doing a franchise
(9:40) People who aren't suitable for franchises
(11:08) Capital aspect of franchises
(13:11) How much do franchises cost
(14:07) Different types of franchises
(16:45) How is marketing supported
(20:18) Key things to look out for when choosing a franchise
(22:19) Role of account manager
(23:43) What makes Japanese franchises different
(29:38) International franchises in Japan
(32:49) Business visa
(34:55) Summary of key points
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Ruth Jarman, the founder and CEO of Jarman International KK. She also sits on the board of Directors as outside Director for KADOKAWA and Fujibo Holdings. Ruth will be sharing her experience with selling to large entities and the government.
Links from Guest Appearance
Jarman International Charity Golf Cup
Coaching with TysonLooking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined once again by Evan Burkosky. He is an expert on marketing and sales in Japan, angel investor, startup advisor, and the head of Enterprise Digital Marketing at TechnoPro, a publicly traded company on the Tokyo stock exchange. Today, Evan will be sharing his experience with applying different sales methodologies and frameworks in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Startup/DX Advisor
Links to Additional Resources
Predictable Revenue
Episode 35: Marketing and Sales for B2B SAAS Products with Evan Burkosky
Episode 18: Sales Framework Explained with Mari Ono
Show Notes
(1:20) Evan Burkosky’s self introduction
(3:32) What is a sales methodology
(6:38) Customer journey explained
(10:13) What is a deal qualification framework
(12:22) How has sales culture changed over time
(15:56) Challenger sale methodology explained
(18:20) Shared responsibility of decision making in Japan
(20:38) Why deals can be long processes
(24:00) Most common frameworks in Japan
(29:17) Which framework is most effective in Japan
(31:03) Stakeholder alignment document and process explained
(36:40) Why company size does matter
(38:46) What type of deal size justifies implementing a deal qualification framework
(40:19) Working with channel partners
(42:46) Account based sales
Reachext
Reachext is a fast growing recruitment firm in Japan. They work with both employers and candidates, allowing companies to hire skilled professional and candidates to achieve their dream careers.
EJable
Looking for bilingual jobs in Japan or Japanese speaking positions worldwide? EJable is a job board full of in-depth information and useful resources to help you find great opportunities.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are excited to welcome back John Kirch. He is the Head of beqom Japan, a total compensation management software solution focused on managing compensation and performance for HR, finance and sales, and has over 30 years of experience. Following the same theme of market entry from his previous episode, today John will be explaining how to enter the Japan market using channel partners. He delves into the full process, from how to find the right channel partner to how to succcesfully manage them.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
beqom
Link to Additional Resource
Episode 28: Tech Market Entry in Japan with John Kirch
Show Notes
(1:27) John Kirch's self introduction
(5:51) Channel partners explained
(9:09) Why people use channel partners
(12:30) Differences between reseller vs distributor
(14:01) How much should you pay channel partners
(16:20) What happens if annual targets aren't met
(17:29) Consultancy firms
(18:59) How to find a channel partner
(23:29) How to evaluate a channel partner
(30:15) How to succesfully onboard a channel partner
(36:18) How to manage a channel partner
(43:37) How to get validation in Japan
(45:51) Payment cycle explained
(46:42) When to get a channel partner
Reachext
Reachext is a fast growing recruitment firm in Japan. They work with both employers and candidates, allowing companies to hire skilled professional and candidates to achieve their dream careers.
EJable
Looking for bilingual jobs in Japan or Japanese speaking positions worldwide? EJable is a job board full of in-depth information and useful resources to help you find great opportunities.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Evan Burkosky. As an expert on marketing and sales in Japan, he is an angel investor, startup advisor, and the head of Enterprise Digital Marketing at TechnoPro, a publicly traded company on the Tokyo stock exchange. Evan will be discussing how to conduct marketing and sales for B2B SAAS products in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Startup/DX Advisor
Links to Additional Resources
Predictable Revenue
From Impossible to Inevitable
Show Notes
(1:33) Evan Burkosky’s self introduction
(3:19) Getting leads for a B2B SAAS product
(7:08) What are the different channels in Japan
(10:40) How can people in the seed stage get paid POC
(16:52) Inbound sales explained
(22:36) What is the customer journey
(26:54) Distinction between inbound and outbound sales
(31:19) Lead qualifications
(34:51) Culture around forms in Japan
(42:56) How to promote webinars in Japan
(47:31) Useful softwares and tools in Japan
Reachext
Reachext is a fast growing recruitment firm in Japan. They work with both employers and candidates, allowing companies to hire skilled professional and candidates to achieve their dream careers.
EJable
Looking for bilingual jobs in Japan or Japanese speaking positions worldwide? EJable is a job board full of in-depth information and useful resources to help you find great opportunities.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Polina Oba. She has a master’s degree on sustainable food supply chains and is the COO of Gourmet Pro, the largest food and beverage consulting network in Japan. Today, Polina will be sharing her expertise on Japanese consumers to help companies better understand how to target the different customer segments in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
GourmetPro
Links to Additional Resources
Episode 27: Distribution in Japan with Vincent Nicol
Episode 29: Crowdfunding in Japan with Vincent Nicol
Show Notes
(1:33) Polina Oba's self introduction
(4:09) What is a buyer persona
(4:57) Things to consider when developing a buyer persona
(11:06) Different types of consumers and their behaviors in Japan
(15:51) Housewives as decision makers
(18:32) Female consumer behaviors in Japan
(23:14) High school trend leaders
(25:24) Impact of COVID
(28:52) Differences in purchase sizes
(32:00) Seasonal products and purchasing cycles in Japan
(40:10) Working with influencers
(44:02) Cost of working with influencers
Hashi Media
Looking to expand your marketing and reach for your gaming, tech, or lifestyle brand? Hashi Media is here to help give your marketing the push it needs to reach a larger audience today.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Fumiko Yoshida. She is the COO of Tricolage, a company that provides sustainable tourism consulting to corporations and local governments. They also craft personalized journeys and travel plans for luxury travel and assist corporations with business travel and event support. Fumiko will be updating us on the travel market industry in Japan and sharing her expertise on how to do market entry into it.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Tricolage
Show Notes
(1:36) Fumiko Yoshida's self introduction
(3:13) Tourism industry in Japan
(7:00) Tricolage introduction
(8:34) Types of customers in the tourism business
(10:07) What are local governments struggling with
(12:54) Types of tourists and their needs
(18:05) Sustainable side of tourism
(21:41) Domestic tourism agencies in Japan
(23:58) Working with old school Japanese companies
Hashi Media
Looking to expand your marketing and reach for your gaming, tech, or lifestyle brand? Hashi Media is here to help give your marketing the push it needs to reach a larger audience today.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are excited to be joined by Benjamin Boas. He is an official advisor to the Japanese government’s Cabinet Office who is widely recognized as a go-to expert on niche Japanese cultural topics as he helps corporations and governments on a variety of topics ranging from international messaging, cross-cultural understanding, and tourism. Be sure to check out his most recent book, “From Cool Japan to Your Japan,” lays out the need for Japanese institutions to learn how they are perceived by their global audience. Today Benjamin will be sharing how to successfully take a Japanese product/service and launch it in a foreign country.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Japanese-language book: “From Cool Japan to Your Japan”
Links to Additional Resources
JapanCraft21
Show Notes
(2:48) Benjamin Boas' self introduction
(5:01) Cool Japan explained
(7:40) Popular Japanese products overseas
(14:54) Japanese products that did not succeed
(18:30) Honda example
(22:07) Big Cool Japan hits
(23:24) Tips for companies succeeding outside of Japan
(30:21) Tips for working and connecting with JICA
(34:49) Japanese communites abroad
(36:16) Major expos
(37:46) Platforms to sell products to foreign markets
(39:29) Additional tips for entrepreneurs
Hashi Media
Looking to expand your marketing and reach for your gaming, tech, or lifestyle brand? Hashi Media is here to help give your marketing the push it needs to reach a larger audience today.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are excited to be joined by Arisa Chelsea Ueno. As a consultant, she helps companies with new business generation and e-commerce not only in Japan but all over the world. She was the first employee for Shopify Japan and cultivated a new ecosystem of eCommerce, and activated thousands of domestic and cross-border businesses. Arisa will be introducing what e-commerce is like in Japan and how foreign businesses can better market towards the Japanese audience. She explains methods on how to tailor and design webpages and gives great tips on how to optimize website conversion rates.
Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn - Be sure to reach out to Arisa for her consultancy expertise
Facebook
Links to Additional Resources
Episode 30: Japan Market Research with Andrew Edsall
Shopify
Squarespace
Wix
Show Notes
(2:16) Difference between e-commerce and in-person retail
(3:19) Benefits of e-commerce
(6:25) What e-commerce channels are used in Japan
(7:28) Differences in website creation
(11:31) Differences in copywriting
(16:02) Understanding types of spacing in Japan
(17:29) Tips on conversion rate optimization
(20:34) Importance of using the correct photos
(22:31) Key components of a market entry launch in Japan
(33:12) Tips for foreigners looking to do e-commerce in Japan
(37:11) Campaigns and point systems in Japan
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Andrew Edsall, the CEO and head researcher for Great Wave Consulting and the APAC Director at Response:AI. He has many years of experience in recruitment and market research. In order to succesfully enter the Japan market, foreign comanies need to first properly understand its culture and economy and Andrew will help understand what is market research and what he has learned about market entry, why it is important, and how to effectively use market researchers or conduct it yourself.
Link from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Links to Additional Resources
Scaling Japan Market Entry series
Show Notes
(1:00) Andrew Edsall's self introduction
(3:30) Why is it important to do market research
(11:11) How can market research help foreign companies set realistic targets in Japan
(14:04) Potential issues that could kill your business before you even launch it in Japan
(16:03) Potential regulations to be aware of
(17:03) Questions to ask when conducting market research
(22:48) What is the market research process
(24:33) Qualitative vs quantitative research
(27:41) What type of research to use
(31:23) Communication is key
(33:41) Andrew's expertise
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are excited to welcome back Vincent Nicol, the co-founder of GourmetPro. A couple of weeks back, he gave a great introduction into distribution in Japan so be sure to give that episode a listen if you haven't already. Today, Vincent will be sharing his expertise on crowdfunding in Japan. He explains the different platforms available for crowdfunding and how companies can execute a succesful campaign.
Links from Guest Appearance
GourmetPro
Links to Additional Resources
Scaling Japan Market Entry series
Episode 27: Distribution in Japan with Vincent Nicol
Show Notes
(1:36) Crowdfunding explained
(7:06) What types of companies can use crowdfunding
(13:02) When to use press releases
(14:16) Do retailers look at crowdfunding platforms to discover new products
(16:05) Retailers in Japan developing their own crowdfunding platforms
(17:26) Which platforms should different types of businesses use
(22:05) How to have a succesful crowdfunding campaign in Japan
(25:47) Executing a succesful crowdfunding campaign in Japan
(29:32) How much do crowdfunding platforms cost
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by John Kirch. He is the Head of beqom Japan, a total compensation management software solution focused on managing compensation and performance for HR, finance, & sales. With over 30 years of experience working in Asia's IT industry, John will be introducing the market entry process of tech companies into Japan. He explains key tips on how to market technology solutions and how to gain new clients.
Links from Guest Appearance
If you would like to explore possible opportunities to realize your organization's total compensation and performance strategies for improving engagement, retention, efficiency, performance and profits in a clear, controlled manner, please feel free to directly contact John Kirch at: john.kirch@beqom.com.
beqom
Links to Additional Resources
Scaling Japan Market Entry series
Episode 19: Japanese Startup Cities with Akiko Nakagawa from Fukuoka GSC
Show Notes
(1:18) John Kirch's self introduction
(5:30) Market entry differences of SaaS companies vs physical products
(8:47) How to get Japanese companies to consider foreign solutions
(12:50) Examples of awards and endorsements in Japan
(19:31) Initiatives to market your technology
(21:26) Study trips explained
(23:00) Recommended PR channels
(27:06) Buying decision process
(31:39) Procurement departments of Japanese companies
(33:18) Factors that play major roles in the buying decision process
(37:11) How to get your first enterprise customer in Japan
(40:03) Potential deal breakers that foreigners may not be aware of
(44:36) How to reach the decision maker
(48:37) Tips for onboarding Japanese clients
(52:10) What is needed for succesful customer service
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Vincent Nicol, the co-founder of GourmetPro. He has over 15 years of experience in the food and beverage space in Japan. Vincent will be introducing distribution in Japan, covering everything from mapping distribution fit to explaining the different types of distribution models. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to tune back in for our future episode with Vincent on crowdfunding in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
GourmetPro
Link to Additional Resource
Scaling Japan Market Entry series
A New Gateway Market to Japan- Focus on Fukuoka #1
Episode 19: Japanese Startup Cities with Akiko Nakagawa from Fukuoka GSC
Show Notes
(1:02) Vincent Nicol's self introduction
(4:46) Go to market fit explained
(7:50) How to map distribution fit
(9:20) Steps to take after mapping distribubtion fit
(12:45) Common problems that companies face during distribution
(15:34) Value chain challenges
(20:19) Crafting a great selling story
(22:25) Sole distributor model explained
(24:35) Mulitple distributors model explained
(25:18) Hybrid distribution model
(29:33) Strategy partnerships explained
(37:00) Cultural gaps in strategy partnerships
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined once again by Timothy Connor. He has returned to introduce the right strategic leadership needed for foreign companies entering the Japan market. Timothy explains the different types of leaders needed for each stage of the cycle and how they can contribute to building and growing the company. This episode covers key points that businesses should consider when finding the right candidate to help establish and scale their company in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
Synnovate: Timothy's market entry firm
Link to Additional Resource
Episode 25: Product Market Fit in Japan with Timothy Connor
Show Notes
(3:03) Business life cycle of companies entering the Japan market
(4:08) Importance of choosing the right leader
(6:44) Why companies might accidentally hire the wrong leaders
(8:08) Challenges of hiring in Japan
(13:52) Launch leadership explained
(15:35) Growth leadership explained
(17:33) Setting up a foundation before scaling
(20:37) Qualities of a good growth leader candidate
(21:42) How should a leader communicate
(23:33) Interim leadership explained
(32:56) Advantages and disadvantages of Japanese and foreign leaders
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by a highly requested guest, Timothy Connor. He is the founder and manager of Synnovate, a company that helps foreign corporations enter the Japanese market. With 20 years of experience in the field, Timothy will be sharing how he analyzes product market fit. He covers a wide range of aspects that foreign companies need to consider, from labelling to distribution, when preparing their products/services for the market in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
Synnovate
Link to Additional Resource
Episode 24: Introduction to Japan Market Entry with Maor Shwartz
Show Notes
(1:15) Timothy Connor’s self introduction
(4:15) What is product market fit
(7:46) Changing a company name for branding in Japan
(8:38) Importance of physical attributes
(11:19) Making product adjustments to better suit Japanese customers
(13:27) Double checking ingredients
(16:49) How to size a product
(18:17) What to consider when pricing and positioning a product
(23:09) How to test product market fit
(26:00) Examples of companies who successfully found product market fit in Japan
(27:50) Aspects of the Japanese market that businesses need to understand
(35:16) Appointing a master distributer
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Maor Shwartz. Although Maor's background is primarily in cyber sercurity, he has spent the past year researching the unique dynamics of the Japanese Market. He has created a fantastic report on the challenges that foreign startups face when trying to enter Japan. Maor shares his findings and gives an introduction into what business owners need to be aware of when starting a company in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
Japanese Market Entry Report
Links to Additional Resources
Scaling Japan Sales Series
Show Notes
(1:01) Maor Shwartz’s self introduction
(2:35) Why Maor created a Japan market entry report
(5:05) What is a realistic market entry timeline in Japan
(10:38) Cultural differences that impact market entry
(15:10) Decision making process and execution in Japan
(21:08) Differences when working with Japanese clients
(29:10) Complex supply chain dynamics
(32:02) Startup pre-requisites to enter the Japanese market
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
This is a special episode of Scaling Japan as we would like to introduce two guests today, Erdinç Ekinci and Yu Li Shein. They are both cofounders of Openfor.co, a company which helps startups through strategic partnerships, and they are running the Founder Institute Japan chapter as well. Erdinç and Yu Li explain the differences between startup incubators and accelerators, they also introduce what startup competitions are. They further cover support options for startups in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
Erdinç Ekinci and Yu Li Shein
Founder Institute
Show Notes
(5:14) Difference between startup incubators and accelerators
(7:47) What are startup competitions
(9:35) Start up university and courses
(11:10) What are accelerator programs
(13:07) Incentive of equity
(15:27) What stage do accelerators support
(18:16) Who will benefit the most from an accelerator
(21:49) What industries are in demand in Japan
(24:56) Mentor profiles
(26:16) What accelerators do foreign founders go through in Japan
(29:50) Accelerator in Japan vs other countries
(32:38) Famous accelerators in Japan
(34:35) Corporate accelerator
(35:34) How to choose an accelerator
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level?
Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are joined by Larry Greenberg. He is the CEO of Urban Connections in Japan and has over 30 years of business experience in the country. Larry shares how he has successfully grown the business through developing connections in Japan and using banking resources. He also explains how foreign businesses in Japan can build strong relationship with banks and secure loans for themselves.
Links from Guest Appearance
Urban Connections
Show Notes
(0:50) Larry Greenberg’s self introduction
(4:09) Experience with loans and banking in Japan
(9:57) Cost of borrowing in Japan
(15:07) How to help Japanese banks understand your business
(18:30) Circumstances where banks are more inclined to loan
(22:34) Circumstances where banks are less inclined to loan
(26:53) Japanese bank recommendations
(27:59) Advantages of regional banks
(33:05) Experience with government lending agencies
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast we are excited to welcome a highly anticipated guest, Nalin Advani, the co-founder of Entomo. He is a well renowned investor and entrepreneur who has scaled multiple businesses in Japan and Asia. Nalin shares his experiences of the IPO process in Japan and explains what it takes to for a company to have a succesful IPO. He also dicusses the steps that can be taken following a succesful IPO.
Links from Guest Appearance
Entomo
Additional Resources
Clubhouse
Show Notes
(1:33) Nalin Advani’s self introduction
(6:20) How does Nalin help advise companies
(9:55) What is an IPO
(17:02) Stock exchanges in Japan
(20:38) What changes come after a successful IPO
(24:51) What is the general timeline of an IPO
(28:35) How to create a team prepared for an IPO
(31:35) Impact of getting bigger contracts
(33:39) Additional thoughts on IPOs
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan podcast we are so lucky to be joined by Makoto Shibata, the head of FINOLAB. He will be sharing his knowledge on corporate venture capital (CVC) and how it can be used to help greatly accelerate the growth of a company. Makoto explains how to appropriately evaluate a CVC and how it can be structured. In previous episodes, the Scaling Japan podcast has also covered other financial tools such as angel investment and venture capital so be sure to check those out.
Links from Guest Appearance
FINOLAB
FINOLAB Youtube channel
Show Notes
(1:06) Makoto Shibata’s Self introduction
(2:30) What is corporate venture capital (CVC)
(6:33) What makes corporate venture capital different from venture capital
(9:32) How can an entrepreneur evaluate a CVC
(15:50) What kind of professional should you look for
(16:39) Reasons why a corporation would set up a CVC
(19:30) How to approach a CVC
(21:57) What services does FINOLAB provide
(25:36) Effect of CVC structure
(26:57) CVC in Japan vs. CVC in Western countries
(30:55) Alternative ways of raising funds
(36:10) FINOLAB youtube channel
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As more cities in Japan are developing programs to support and attract entrepreneurs, we have a speical guest, Akiko Nakagawa from the Fukuoka City Global Startup Center, who will be introducing the support that Fukuoka city provides. In this episode of the Scaling Japan podcast, Akiko talks about how the GSC will help guide foreign entrepreneurs through the process of setting up their new business in Japan. She also explains why Fukuoka City is a great place to create and expand businesses.
Links from Guest Appearance
Startup Fukuoka
Startup Package
Links to Additional Resources
Guide to Making a Bank Account in Japan
Show Notes
(1:32) Introduction to Fukuoka Global Startup Centre
(2:37) What support does FGSC provide foreign entrepreneurs in Japan
(7:10) How to obtain a startup visa
(8:19) What types of business is FGSC looking to attract
(13:28) Examples of IT startups
(15:10) Examples of non-tech startups
(17:24) How FGSC can help startups with finances
(27:51) Advantages of doing business in Fukuoka
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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In this episode of the Scaling Japan sales series, Mari Ono joins us once again to talk about sales frameworks. While this episode will give a brief recap on route and account sales, be sure to listen to episode 15 if you want to learn more. Today Mari will be diving into frameworks and the benefits that they can bring to businesses in Japan. She also shares tips on how to effectively implement frameworks and how to conduct sales in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
Make March Matter
Show Notes
(1:29) Recap of route and account sales
(2:53) Problems organizations face without a sales framework
(5:17) Hybrid sales model explained
(12:43) More on route sales
(19:19) More on account sales and importance of client relationships
(25:52) Role of account rep
(31:43) How sales framework impacts the recruitment process
(38:19) Advice on how to become a better manager for female sales staff
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level?
Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
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We are excited to welcome back Fuminori Gunji, our first repeat guest, in this episode of the Scaling Japan podcast. In episode 13, Fuminori joined us to discuss how to improve sales. Today he will be talking about how foreign companies can successfully implement a workable B2B sales strategy when entering Japan. He gives great advice on how to effectively pitch to Japanese companies through external advisors and the importance of customer segments. Fuminori also covers the pros and cons for companies that are interested in taking a B2B partnership route.
Links from Guest Appearance
Deel
Additional Links from Guest Appearance
Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore
Show Summary
(1:26) Starting point of a workable B2B strategy
(2:33) Crossing the chasm explained
(5:50) Tricks to effectively pitch to Japanese companies
(10:57) How to meet a senior external advisor
(14:16) Benefits of defining your own target customer segment
(19:41) Workable B2B strategy for foreign company entering Japan
(23:31) Concerns Japanese companies have when doing business with a foreign company
(25:12) What foreign companies don’t know when entering Japan for the first time
(29:55) Pros and cons of a B2B partnership route
(39:12) How to get past the gatekeeper in Japan
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Helen Iwata, an amazing woman with over 30 years of professional experience in Japan, joins us in this episode of Scaling Japan. Helen is the president of Sasuga Communications and is also the host of the Sasuga! Podcast, be sure to check it out! She shares how she has sucessfuly established a strong brand image across social media platforms and advises listeners on the importance of trust. Additionally, Helen explains a useful equation that can be used by listeners to evaluate themselves
Links from Guest Appearance
Sasuga! Communications
Sasuga! VIP Women's Coaching Program
The Sasuga! Podcast
Less Effort More Impact
Links to Additional Resources
The Trusted Advisor
Sasuga! Cafe
Quick Guide “8 Essential Phrases for Clear, Confident English Presentations
Show Notes
(2:20) Helen Iwata’s self introduction
(6:16) Using social media to establish a strong brand image
(10:15) The Trust Equation explained
(15:19) How to grow through trust
(16:40) How to self-evaluate with the Trust Equation
(18:52) Building upon your strengths
(21:54) How to get involved and featured in the media
(22:44) Why create a podcast
(25:01) Importance of being the real you
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In this third episode of the Scaling Japan sales series, we are joined by a wonderful guest, Mari Ono. She is a consultant with over 15 years of experience working with small and large corporations. Mari introduces two different types of structure for sales, route and account sales, that entrepreneurs and business owners can use as a helpful guide to developing your sales process. She also discusses how additional factors, such as having a good pitch and understanding the fiscal year, are needed to make successful sales.
Note: Although we mentioned a sales framework, we will dive into this in round 2 with Mari Ono
Links from Guest Appearance
Make March Matter
Show Notes
(1:20) Mari Ono’s self introduction
(1:52) Introduction to sales framework
(3:40) Route sales
(8:38) Key points for route sales
(13:20) Account sales
(17:26) How to have the correct mindset for account sales
(23:10) Importance of fiscal year timeline in Japan
Show Sponsors
Matchpoint - Looking for a Certified Japanese Tax Accountant? Reach out to our friends at Matchpoint Japanor Shinpei at s-wakana[@]matchpoints.or.jp and mention code "scalingyourcompany" to receive your first month free.
Here is a free seminar by Shinpei and myself on Japanese Taxes
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level?
Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Beau Becker, the CEO of Reiwa Pharmaceuticals in Japan, joins us in this episode of Scaling Japan to talk about how to improve sales. What makes Beau such a unique guest is that he started from zero in his early 20's and has now built up 10 years of professional experience working in China and Japan on multiple sales teams. He explains the differences between sales culture in Japan vs Western countries as well as the common mistakes foreigners might make. Beau also gives tips on how to manage client relations, specifically with Japanese customers.
Links from Guest Appearance
Reiwaseiyaku Main Site and Reiwaseiyaku Instagram
Show Notes
(1:22) Beau Becker’s self introduction
(5:52) Sales as a main driver of Japanese corporations
(7:13) Differences between sales culture in Japan vs Western countries
(13:36) What are sales meetings like in Japan
(17:50) How to be liked and respected by traditional Japanese companies
(20:39) How to get mentored in a Japanese company
(23:15) Common misunderstandings and mistakes foreigners make in sales
(26:40) Finding the decision maker is key
(30:22) Exaggerating politeness can go a long way
(32:08) Importance of printed materials
(35:59) How to get credibility when dealing with buyers older than you
Show Sponsors
Matchpoint - Looking for a Certified Japanese Tax Accountant? Reach out to our friends at Matchpoint Japanor Shinpei at s-wakana[@]matchpoints.or.jp and mention code "scalingyourcompany" to receive your first month free.
Here is a free seminar by Shinpei and myself on Japanese Taxes
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level?
Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this exciting episode of the Scaling Japan podcast we are joined by Fuminori Gunji, the global alliance manager at Deel Inc. Fuminori is a veteran of business development and sales with over 10 years of experience. He helps explain the cultural complexities in sales culture between Western countries and Japan. Fuminori also gives guidance on how to find the right salesperson and important characteristics that hiring managers should keep an eye out for.
Links from Guest Appearance
Deel
Business Karaoke: Episode 62 Everyone is a Customer but You with Fuminori Gunji
How to B2B: IT Sales and Purchase Decision Making in Japan with Fuminori Gunji , CEO of TokyoMate
Show Notes
(1:08) Fuminori Gunji’s self introduction
(3:04) Why foreign companies struggle with sales in Japan
(6:07) Decision making and execution in Japan
(9:53) Differences between Western and Japanese standpoints
(17:13) Sales culture of Japan
(18:26) Characteristics of a good salesperson in Japan
(21:40) Key points of story telling
(29:07) How to find the right salesperson
(31:24) Testing a potential salesperson
Show Sponsors
Matchpoint - Looking for a Certified Japanese Tax Accountant? Reach out to our friends at Matchpoint Japanor Shinpei at s-wakana[@]matchpoints.or.jp and mention code "scalingyourcompany" to receive your first month free.
Here is a free seminar by Shinpei and myself on Japanese Taxes
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level?
Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
Haruka Takamori, an early stage investor and venture analyst at Plug and Play, joins us in this episode of Scaling Japan to share her insights from an investor point of view. Haruka details the different stages of early investment in Japan from angel to series A. She also delves into some specifics on what venture capitalists/investors are looking for in a business startup.
Links from Guest Appearance
Plug and Play
Links to Additional Resources
Clubhouse
Angel Port
Incubate Fund
Anobaka
East Ventures
Show Notes
(0:58) Haruka Takamori’s self introduction
(2:01) Experience with early stage investing
(3:26) Angel investment
(7:52) Connecting with angel investors
(9:10) Pre-seed and seed
(13:00) Amount of company shares to secure
(15:12) Shareholding numbers
(17:50) What is traction
(18:37) Pre-series A
(20:42) Proof of concept
(28:14) Metrics investors look at
Show Sponsors
Matchpoint - Looking for a Certified Japanese Tax Accountant? Reach out to our friends at Matchpoint Japanor Shinpei at s-wakana[@]matchpoints.or.jp and mention code "scalingyourcompany" to receive your first month free.
Here is a free seminar by Shinpei and myself on Japanese Taxes
Coaching with Tyson
Looking to take your business to the next level?
Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
We have the wonderful opportunity of being joined by Jordan Fisher, the co-founder and CEO of Zehitomo. Jordan is one of the few westerners who has received large venture capital for his business in Japan. In this episode, he will share his experience of how he successfully raised a seed round, series A and series B investment. Jordan also gives great advice for entrepreneurs looking to raise funds for their business in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
Zehitomo
Links to Additional Resources
J-Kiss
Episode 1: Angel Investment in Japan with Yuki Shirato
Episode 10: Seeking Investment in Japan with Terrie Lloyd
Show Notes
(1:15) Jordan Fisher’s self introduction
(4:26) Seed round explained
(6:34) Product market fit explained from a venture point of view
(8:20) Experience with seed round for Zehitomo
(10:44) Tips for entrepreneurs trying to get a seed round in Japan
(12:05) Experience from seed round to series A
(15:17) Experience from series A to series B
(18:22) Growing after series B
(25:03) Advice for common questions people ask
(29:58) Tips for better due diligence on offers
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Tune in now to our highly-requested talk with serial entrepreneur Terrie Lloyd who, for over 20 years, has been guiding businesses hands on and through his consultancy agency in Japan to navigate these challenges. Terrie has established 20 companies in Japan and has brought his investors 8 successful earn-outs, as well as amassing a large following of like-minded entrepreneurs in Japan via his long-running newsletter on business in Japan: Terrie’s Take.
There are a lot of tips for business owners, who are not technology companies on how to go about getting investment for your company.
Links From Guest Appearance
- Japan Inc.
Show Summary 5:00 An introduction to investing in Japan - this isn’t West Coast USA
7:35 Japantravel.com: A case study, from crowdfunding to corporate investment
13:30 How to get an audience and earn the trust of investors - ‘showing skin in the game’
23:00 Fundraising in Japan: the hurdles a company could face when searching for investors and how to overcome them
27:00 Salaries, debt, and liquidity, do not fear the credit card
33:00 Shareholders and contracts = ratchet clauses and making guarantees to early investors
40:40 Japan Inc. holdings - helping to build bridges in Japan…literally!
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Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard, Japan managing director for Unabiz and senior advisor for SES-imagotag, joins us this episode to discuss shareholders and big corporations in Japan. Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard shares his experience with scaling Unabiz and the challenges that he has faced. Not only does he cover aspects of B2C in Japan, but he also explains how business culture and recruitment processes can be different in Japan.
Links from Guest Appearance
UnaBiz
SES-imagotag
CCI France Japon
Show Summary
(1:23) Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard’s self introduction
(2:53) Experience with scaling UnaBiz
(8:08) Benefit of being a foreigner
(11:00) Hacking the Japanese system
(20:35) How to get taken seriously by big corporations in Japan
(21:43) Consistency when it comes to B2C vs B2B
(23:26) Pitfalls of recruitment for tech companies in Japan
(25:55) Effective way to present your company in terms of “de-risking”
(27:40) Choosing the right country manager
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/scalingjapanpodcast/message
In this episode of Scaling Japan we are joined by Fariza Abidova. She is the founder of Trusted Corporations, a search engine focused on connecting businesses and accelerating innovation. Fariza Abidova talks about her experience of creating Trusted Corporations and explains how partnerships can be utilized to scale companies. She also provides helpful advice for startups, large corporations and country managers on how to establish a successful business partnership.
Links from Guest Appearance
Trusted Corporation
Show Summary
(0:57) Fariza Abidova’s self introduction
(1:36) Experience with Trusted Corporation
(5:45) Business partnerships
(10:13) Benefits of business partnerships
(13:49) How to establish partnerships
(16:49) Services offered by Trusted Corporation
(21:00) Mistakes when making businesses partnerships with Japanese companies
(22:54) Advice for foreign country managers in Japan
(27:38) Advice for large corporations seeking partnerships
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Miho Tanaka joins us in this episode of Scaling Japan to talk about government financial support in Japan. She is the founder of Startup Work Inc. and the startup visa lead of Shibuya Startup Support. Miho Tanaka explains governement grants and loans that will be useful for business owners from Japan and international founders as well. Other helpful tools for entrepreneurs, such as free office space and business related seminars, are also discussed.
Links from Guest Appearance
Startup Work Inc.
SeedS
Shibuya Startup Support
Additional Resouces
Clubhouse with Jason Ball
Japan Finance Corporation
JETRO
NEDO
Startup Hub Tokyo (Japanese only)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Startup Support
Show Summary
(1:20) Miho Tanaka’s self introduction
(3:43) Government financing strategies after COVID-19
(4:42) New government funds
(7:21) Loans for entrepreneurs
(11:07) JFC Loans
(11:58) Loans for international founders
(13:47) JETRO office space
(15:52) Open innovation tax incentive
(17:39) Government provided seminars and services
(20:22) Clubhouse
(22:28) SeedS
(23:23) Industries government support is targeting
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In this episode of Scaling Japan, we are joined by Nathan Hoernig. He is the founder of Humble Bunny, a digital marketing and design company in Tokyo. He shares his experience of what it is like to grow a company from the family stage and the beginning process of employee recruitment. Nathan Hoernig also provides helpful insights into the importance of creating and maintaining company culture.
Links from Guest Appearance
Humble Bunny
Show Notes
(1:17) Introduction to Humble Bunny
(5:05) Experience with growing company from family stage (1-3 people)
(6:22) Hiring first full-time employee
(8:26) Risk tolerance during recruitment process
(12:58) Experience with growing company from 4-10 people
(15:07) Company culture from a leadership perspective
(22: 21) Importance of communicating with managers
(23:29) Mid level employees
(29:37) Nathan Hoernig’s personal learnings of 2021 as a leader
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As we are transitioning into 2022, this special episode is brought to you by the podcast host, Tyson Batino. He is the founder of Scaling Your Company, a business coaching company, and also Japan Switch and One Coin English. Tyson Batino shares his three biggest business takeaways from 2021 which can help you in improving your 2022 business plan goals.
Contact Links
Scaling Your Company
Show Notes
(0:58) #1 Changes in Digital Marketing
(7:44) #2 Having the Right Business Model
(11:24) #3 Recruitment
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Sylvain Pierre, founder of the Le Wagon Japan branch, joins us in this episode to share his experiences with scaling multiple companies. He talks about what it is like for a company to go through different stages of growth and how different types of organizational frameworks may work better. He also gives helpful advice on delegation and the hiring process for first time founders.
Links from Guest Appearance
Sylvain Pierre Twitter
Le Wagon Japan - Coding Bootcamp
Links to resources mentioned in episode
Winning by Jack Welch
Work Rules by Laszlo Bock
Show Summary
0:49 Sylvain Pierre’s self introduction
3:08 Basic stages of scaling your company
3:38 Sylvain Pierre’s experience with creating a company in Vietnam
12:49 Open organization explained
14:03 Top down organization explained
15:59 Sylvain Pierre’s experience with the growth stages of Le Wagon
20:07 Hiring mistakes companies make and solutions to those problems
25:35 Additional thoughts on the hiring process
28:29 Background on delegation
33:15 Where to find Sylvain Pierre and what Le Wagon offers
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This episode we are joined by Harry Hakuei Kosato, who was head of marketing for both Virgin and Dyson in Japan and is now the founder of Sushi and More, the largest sushi chain in India. He shares experiences from both Virgin and Dyson, explaining how the companies had different strategies and views on success. Additionally, he talks about how he was able to bring his experiences from Japan to India and start his own business.
Links from Guest Appearance
Sushi and More
Show Notes
(0:50) Harry Hakuei Kosato’s self introduction
(3:04) Harry Hakuei Kosato’s work experience with Virgin in Japan
(11:52) Harry Hakuei Kosato’s work experience with Dyson
(16:07) Bringing experience from Japan to India
(21:10) Advice for country managers to help with market entry
(25:20) How successful companies in Japan move forward globally
(27:35) Advice for foreign business owners in Japan
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In this episode of the podcast, we have the special opportunity of being joined by a Chief Human Resource Officer, Rina Sakuraba. She is the founder of 35CoCreation and has experience in senior level director roles with companies around the world. Rina Sakuraba explains what Human Resource (HR) is and the role it plays. She also breaks down the different types of positions and talks about how a HR partner can help with company growth.
Links from Guest Appearance
35CoCreation
Show Notes
(0:54) Rina Sakuraba’s self introduction
(2:25) Story behind 35CoCreation
(4:20) Definition and role of HR
( 7:20) Positions of HR
(11:20) Learning and development in HR
(12:04) Talent management in HR
(14:34) When should a HR generalist/senior level person join your team
(17:25) Common struggles HR face
(19:43) How a HR partner can help with company growth
(21:48) How business owner/CEO’s can attract a great senior level HR director
(24:06) Services offered by Rina Sakuraba
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As angel investing is becoming more popular in Japan, this episode we are joined by Yuki Shirato who is an investment lawyer that works in M&A and runs Yakumi.co, a Japanese angel syndicate. Yuki Shirato talks about how he got into his career and shares his experience as an angel investor. He further delves into what exactly angel investing is, what kind of businesses it is suitable for and what profiles investors are looking for.
Links from Guest Appearance
Yakumi.co
Show Notes
(0:45) Yuki Shirato’s self introduction
(1:40) How Yuki Shirato became an angel investor
(3:50) What is an angel syndicate
(6:27) Types of business that are suitable and that aren’t suitable for angel investment
(8:01) 3 stages of the early business stage in Japan
(13:08) Difference between a start up and normal business
(15:06) What types of data metrics do angel investors look for
(16:27) Angel investment in Japan
(20:50) Characteristics of founders who have scaled successfully
(26:28) Characteristics of founders that were unsuccessful in scaling
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