Episodes
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Welcome back to the FocusCore podcast. In this episode we are talking to a titan of the food industry in Japan, Paul Kraft. In his over twenty years experience, Paul has launched and led multiple brands to succeed in the Japanese market. He is now the Founder and President of JapanIQ, a company that specializes in helping companies avoid missteps and drive growth in the unique Japanese business landscape. In this episode we discuss the Japanese retail food market, what works, what doesn’t, and future trends we can expect to see unfold in the coming years.
In this episode you will hear:
About challenges Paul faced when he first started working in JapanHow the Japanese grocery market differs from other countriesHow Paul, and JapanIQ, has helped foreign companies avoid common pitfalls of doing business in JapanThe leadership qualities Paul looks for when hiring in JapanInsights into Japanese consumer behavior now and in the futureAbout Paul Kraft:
Paul Kraft helps medium-sized foreign firms expand and optimize their footprints in the perplexing Japanese market. With over 20 years in the trenches navigating Japan Inc., Paul knows what lasts, what languishes, when to pivot, and when to start from scratch.
Paul took HARIBO gummi bears from #8 to #1 in 4 years, led Starbucks’ CPG entry into the Japanese mass market and department stores – including #1 at CVS. He launched the HoneyBaked Ham restaurant chain in their first-ever international market and grew Nestle Nespresso’s Japanese foodservice business by 20+%.
Paul specializes in Route-to-Market Analysis, Partner Identification, Hiring (and Firing), Empowering the Local Team to Speak Up, Value Chain Analysis, Strategic Planning, Translating Brands to the Japanese Market, Forecasting, Market Research, Marketing Communication, Japan Crisis Management, Live TV Interviews, Thought Leadership, Meeting Retailers, Launching New Products, Quality Control Checks, Factory Audits, and Market Audits.
Connect with Paul Kraft:
Website: https://www.japaniq.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kraftpaul
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JapanIQ
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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On the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet discusses the current Media and Marketing landscape in Japan with John Flanagan, President and Managing Director of A+E Networks Japan and SE Asia. John has 30 plus years experience in the Media industry in Japan and has seen it evolve, including the rise of streaming services and the current advances in AI technologies. John also has extensive marketing experience and has some great advice for foreign business leaders looking to effectively market to Japanese audiences.
In this episode you will hear:
About the unique marketing landscape in JapanThe importance of understanding your target marketHow the media industry is currently evolvingThe importance of good storytelling when it comes to marketingSome of the challenges facing streaming services in Japan and globallyAbout John Flanagan:
John Flanagan is President and Managing Director of A+E Networks Japan and SE Asia. Flanagan is a media professional with over 30 years' experience in Japan. His career highlights include launching J:COM and running marketing at 20th Century Fox and iTunes in Japan. Flanagan also teaches marketing part time at Japan’s largest MBA school, GLOBIS University. He graduated from Colorado College, which included one year's study at Waseda University in Tokyo. Flanagan later attended INSEAD.
Connect with John Flanagan:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnflanaganasia
A+E Networks Website: https://jp.aenetworks.com/
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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Welcome to the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast. This week we are talking with Sanae Endo, a seasoned HR professional, coach, and engagement consultant with a wealth of experience spanning over two decades. Join Sanae and host David Sweet as we dive into her journey, explore the trends shaping HR in Japan and beyond, and gain valuable insight into creating thriving, inclusive organizational cultures.
In this episode you will hear:
Pivotal moments that shaped Sanae’s career in HRHow to have more inclusive communication as a leaderThe challenges of implementing DEI initiatives in multinational companiesHow you can drive change within your organizationThe impact of AI on HR, now and in the futureAbout Sanae Endo:
Sanae Endo is a seasoned HR professional, coach, and engagement consultant with a wealth of experience spanning over two decades.
Her expertise encompasses executive coaching, union negotiation, recruitment, and training, global leadership, public relations, and strategic HR management. She has been a pivotal figure in driving organizational improvement across various industries. Throughout her illustrious career, Sanae has held key positions in some of the world's leading companies.
She served as the Japan Country HR Manager at Caterpillar, HR Business Partner at Coca-Cola East, HR VP at Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, General Manager of HR Talent at AXA Life, HR Senior Director at Gap, HR Director at Estée Lauder, and currently she is the VP of Communication and Engagement Officer at SkyDrive.
Sanae holds an MBA from the University of Wales, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Francisco State University. She is also a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and a Hogan Certified Assessor.
Connect with Sanae Endo:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sanae-endo-026275110
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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In this latest episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet is joined by Timothy Connor from Synnovate, a company that helps companies launch and succeed in the Japan market through four key practice areas. If you are a business leader in the Japanese market this conversation will provide some invaluable insights. In the episode Timothy explains the concept of strategic leadership and outlines the five leadership archetypes that are required at the different stages of an organization’s growth.
In this episode you will hear:
How Timothy pivoted from designing apparel to marketingTimothy’s approach to identifying essential customer experience touch pointsWhat a social listening exercise is and how it can help your companyWhy last impressions can be more important than first impressionsAbout strategic leadership and the five leadership archetypesThe different skill sets required for each of the leadership archetypesAbout Timothy:
Timothy Connor is a bilingual and bicultural longtime resident of Tokyo Japan. He has 25 years of experience in consumer related businesses, both B2B2C and B2C. During this time, he has developed a deep understanding of the Japanese market, its consumers, and the unique aspects of doing business in Japan, where trust relationships are essential.
As CEO of Synnovate, he develops road maps to growth, leads the implementation, and works synergistically with the local master distributor or franchisor to achieve growth. He uses his bilingual and bicultural expertise to liaise and create a trust relationship with the distributors and partners to then innovate in products, sales and marketing channels, and activation promotional activities. As a non-Japanese, he can often see opportunities that the Japanese partners cannot and has more flexibility than a Japanese partner to do things outside the box. Marketing to Japanese consumers requires a highly developed customer experience and attention to the finest details of quality, an aspect sometimes overlooked by foreign brands.
Previously Managing Director in charge of corporate development and the marketing service business group of an American owned firm. His role was to find new business opportunities, devise the market strategy for sales and distribution partners, develop the organization, and subsequently run the new business.
These experiences motivated him to develop the concept of strategic leadership and the five “types” of leadership that can become necessary in the growth journey of any business.
Connect with Timothy:
Website: https://www.synnovate.jp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyconnor/
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To
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Welcome back from the August break. On this episode of the podcast we sit down with the Managing Director and President of DSV Solutions in Japan, Scott Smalley. Scott is a senior management executive with over 35 years of experience, 25 of which have been dedicated to global logistics in Japan. Scott is bilingual, multicultural, well-connected and highly respected within the logistics industry and business in general in Japan. In this conversation we learn some of Scott’s strategies and advice for managing global operations in Japan, and multinationally.
In this episode you will hear:
Some of the unique advantages to working in global logistics for different companies all over the worldScott’s advice on how to get started in sales and be effectiveThe challenges involved in managing a logistics company in JapanHow DSV Japan are achieving their sustainability goalsHow leaders can create stronger future organizationsAbout Scott Smalley:
Scott is a senior management executive with over 35 years of experience, 25 of which have been dedicated to global logistics in Japan. Currently, he serves as the Managing Director and President of DSV Solutions in Japan. Scott’s professional journey has been marked by a unique blend of strategic sales and operational expertise in global supply-chain management and logistics. As a bi-lingual, multicultural professional, Scott brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in managing global operations.
Although contract logistics has been Scott’s primary professional focus, he has extensive experience in freight forwarding and global customer relationship management. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with peers around the world to tackle complex supply-chain challenges, leveraging his global connections and insights to drive successful outcomes.
Scott’s career is defined by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a keen focus on the bottom line. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to design innovative supply-chain products and services, leading by example to ensure successful implementations. Scott is also deeply committed to coaching and encouraging his business teams to excel, helping them achieve results beyond their expectations. Scott’s peers consider him well-connected and highly respected not only within the logistics industry but also among multinational management professionals worldwide.
Connect with Scott Smalley:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-smalley-0186a
DSV website: https://www.dsv.com/en/countries/asia/japan
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out
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During the month of August we will be enjoying some summer weather and taking a break from recording new episodes. To satiate your thirst we will be re-releasing the hottest episodes of the year, every week, for you to enjoy with a Mai Tai by the pool like David will be.
In this episode of the podcast from March this year, we switched things up and had guest host Simon Jelfs, Managing Director of FocusCore Japan, interview Dr. David Sweet to find out what makes him tick, in business and in life. David is originally from Denver, Colorado with 25 years recruitment experience in Japan, all of it in leadership roles. He established FocusCore Japan in 2011. He's a father of two, a keen runner, a writer, and an ukulele player. Listen to the episode to learn more about how David manages to be so proactive and motivated in business and in life, and gain some invaluable insight into the Japanese labor market and recruitment landscape.
In this episode you will hear:
About David’s love of running marathons and his plans to run the Barcelona marathonHow David manages to stay so proactive and motivated in business and life in generalHow international business leaders view the Japanese marketDavid’s advice to APAC leaders looking to improve recruitment performance in JapanAbout the ageless leadership skills that stand the test of timeAbout Simon Jelfs:
Simon is from the UK and has over 20 years accounting and finance recruitment experience in Tokyo. He is the Managing Director of Focus Core which focuses on providing executive search in Japan.
About David Sweet:
David Sweet is the founder and CEO of FocusCore Group. For the past 25 years, he has helped companies hire the best executive talent in Tokyo. He is also a certified executive coach and author of Sweet Success, Sweet Sales, Recruit! Becoming the Top-Biller, as well as having been interviewed for the book, “Facebook & LinkedIn 対応履歴書いらずのソーシャルメディア転職術” for his expertise in using Social Networking for recruitment in Japan. He also is a published poet, including Gus (illustrated by Jennifer Shinkai), Split Infinity Forward, and Pop Rocks. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Development and a M.A. in Communications from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Connect with Simon Jelfs:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjelfs
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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During the month of August we will be enjoying some summer weather and taking a break from recording new episodes. To satiate your thirst we will be re-releasing the hottest episodes of the year, every week, for you to enjoy with a Mai Tai by the pool like David will be.
In this re-release episode from February, I turn the podcasting tables on my guest Catherine O’Connell, who is host and cohost of two fantastic podcasts; Lawyer On Air and Jandals in Japan. If you haven’t listened to those two podcasts I highly recommend them both! Catherine is the principal and founder of her boutique commercial law firm based in Tokyo, Catherine O'Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo and won Tokyo Foreign Lawyer of the Year Award in 2022, Boutique Law Firm of the Year Award in 2023, and is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020. One of Catherine’s missions in life is to change the boardrooms of traditional Japan from the inside, sharing her lived experience through board coaching programs to demystify and open pathways for people to access and attain roles on Japanese corporate boards.
In this episode you will hear:
How Catherine went from being a tour guide in New Zealand to studying law and working as a foreign lawyer in JapanWhat motivated Catherine to set up Catherine O’Connell Law, her own law firm in TokyoAbout the lack of diversity in terms of board governance in JapanWhat Japanese companies can do now to diversify their boardsWhat women leaders can do to open boardroom doors for themselves and othersThings mentioned in the episode:
Statistical Information about female board members in Japan: https://www.nikkei.co.jp/nikkeiinfo/en/global_services/nikkei-bp/female-board-member-survey-which-japanese-company-has-the-highest-percentage-of-female-board-members.html
About Catherine O’Connell:
Catherine O’Connell is Principal & Founder of her boutique commercial law firm based in Tokyo, Catherine O’Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo. She won Boutique Law Firm of the Year Award 2023 and Foreign Lawyer of the Year Award 2022 and is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020.
Significantly, Catherine has been appointed in June 2023 as an Independent Audit & Supervisory Board Member of TOYOTA Motor Corporation. In June 2022 she was appointed as Outside Audit & Supervisory Board member of FUJITSU Limited. Through both of these appointments she has become the first non-Japanese female in Japanese corporate history to serve in this role on any Japanese Board. She is also Statutory Auditor on ASX-listed Japan subsidiary of CSL Behring.
Catherine presides as Vice-Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of Japan, is co-Chair of the Legal Services & IP Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and is immediate Past President of NPO, Women in Law Japan (2021-2023).
Prior to launching her law practice in 2018, Catherine was Head of Legal and APAC Regional Legal Counsel for Molex Japan LLC. She held senior In-House Legal Counsel positions Panasonic, Olympus and Mitsubishi Motors, and has extensive private practice experience at Hogan Lovells (Tokyo and London) and Anderson Lloyd (New Zealand).
Catherine hosts the award-winning “Lawyer on Air” Podcast sharing inspirational stories about women working in the law in Japan and she co-hosts the “Jandals in Japan” podcast about successful New Zealand business in...
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During the month of August we will be enjoying some summer weather and taking a break from recording new episodes. To satiate your thirst we will be re-releasing the hottest episodes of the year, every week, for you to enjoy with a Mai Tai by the pool like David will be.
This week we will revisit our second most popular episode of 2024 thus far, our episode about fearless innovation as a business leader in Japan, with guest Hideo Goto. Hideo is the President of Schick Japan and has more than 20 years experience in the health and beauty industry, and a strong track record of driving results and being incredibly innovative in his approach. If you are an APAC business leader in Japan looking to innovate in a traditionally risk averse business culture, listen to this episode to learn how to encourage a fearlessly innovative culture in your company.
In this episode you will hear:
Advice for APAC leaders working in JapanHow to be innovative in a traditionally risk averse countryStrategies Hideo employs to attract talent in a challenging marketSome of the most important lessons Hideo has learned from his decades of successful and innovative business leadershipAbout Hideo Goto:
Hideo Goto has been the President and Representative Director of Schick Japan since August 2022. Hideo has more than 20 years of experience in the health and beauty industry, and a strong track record of driving results.
He started his career at Johnson & Johnson in 1996 in sales and marketing. In 2005, he joined L’Oreal and spent 11 years there, where he turned around several businesses and scaled the growth. He held various leadership positions throughout his tenure including GM of Active Cosmetics Division in Japan, GM of Consumer Product Division in Taiwan, and GM of Professional Product Division in Japan. Hideo Goto was promoted to Country General Manager of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and Korea in 2021 having joined Henkel Beauty Care in 2017 as GM of the Professional Division.
Hideo earned an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in the U.S. in 2003 and a BBA from Meiji University in 1996
Connect with Hideo Goto:
Schick Japan website: https://schick.jp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hideo-goto-8854b4ba/
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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During the month of August we will be enjoying some summer weather and taking a break from recording new episodes. To satiate your thirst we will be re-releasing the hottest episodes of the year, every week, for you to enjoy with a Mai Tai by the pool like David will be.
This week’s Summer Re-release was originally released on Thursday February 1st. It was the first guest episode of 2024 and has become the most popular episode of the year so far! Revisit this discussion on listening to the market with host David Sweet and guest Ashley Harvey.
Ashley is a C-Suite leader, with a 25-year international career beginning in sales and expanding out into marketing, branding, partnerships, hospitality, destination management and leadership. Ashley has a wealth of knowledge to share with us about being a business leader globally and in Japan specifically. This discussion is a master class in how to thrive as a new business leader navigating the unique benefits and challenges of the Japanese market.
In this episode you will hear:
How the Japanese market differs to other international markets and why it has been a good fit for AshleyAdvice for business leaders looking to expand their reach in JapanThe importance of having a strong employee acquisition strategyHow flexibility and nimbleness as a leader helps weather unforeseen challenges, like COVIDThe importance of creating an environment where open and honest communication can thriveAbout Ashley Harvey:
Ashley Harvey is a C-Suite leader, with a 25-year international career which brings the benefits of a breadth of knowledge, diverse experience and interdisciplinary thinking to an ever increasingly complicated business landscape.
Building from a sales background, Ashley’s career grew to build a depth of experience in marketing, branding, partnerships, hospitality, destination management and leadership.
He successfully built & led marketing strategies, tactics and teams in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, as well as in the UK.
Past roles and clients include VisitBritain, Go Central Japan, Brand USA, Tourism Switzerland, a giga project in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Tourism Authority, NYC & Partners, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Shangri-La Hotels, Hilton, Dusit Thani Group, Andaru Niseko, and, Marriott.
His MBA (2005) comes from the University of Leicester, UK. In 2022 he completed the Mini MBA Marketing from Marketing Week.
Connect with Ashley Harvey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjohnharvey/
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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On this episode of the FocusCore podcast we are joined by Marie Solange-Vottero and Sandrine Monette from Lemon Boost, a boutique consulting firm based in Tokyo that caters to the unique development needs of Japanese teams engaging with Foreign Customers. Listen to the episode to learn more about how Lemon Boost’s specialized Dojo practice enhances communication, reduces conflicts, and promotes inclusion.
In this episode you will hear:
How Lemon Boost approaches organizational transformationWhat Verbal Aikido is and how to employ it at workHow to avoid taking on too much at workSome common misconceptions around change managementBuilding a resilient mindset and a resilient organizationAbout Lemon Boost:
Lemon-Boost is a boutique consulting firm based in Tokyo. Their tailored immersive solutions cater to the unique development needs of Japanese teams engaging with Foreign Customers. They empower teams through specialized Dojo practice for enhanced communication, reduced conflicts, and promoted inclusion. Lemon Boost also leverages data insights to optimize training investment and develop efficient engagement strategies.
About Marie Solange-Vottero:
Born of French and Cameroonian heritage, Marie has cultivated a rich and diverse life experience spanning over 25 years across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
She possesses a distinctive expertise in change management, offering support for strategic initiatives such as reorganization and digital transformations within Finance, HR, and Customer Service domains. Her experience extends across both private and public sectors, ensuring comprehensive insight and adept handling of diverse organizational needs.
Marie has also studied psychology and neurosciences to better address resistances and support teams through change. In Japan, Marie is focused on building Strategies for Better Team Collaboration and empowering Japanese teams to better interact with foreigners (Outbound).
Being both a woman, a foreigner and a founder, Marie is committed to her community and actively involved in several associations, from leading mentoring activities for women in business to preventing bullying at school.
About Sandrine Monette:
Sandrine Monette is a Belgian native with over two decades of experience driving strategic initiatives that transform international Life Sciences and Technologies companies across the EU, UK, and US markets. She holds dual master's degrees in Biochemical Engineering and Business Administration.
Sandrine combines technical expertise with business proficiency. Her leadership and communication skills enable her to effectively lead multidisciplinary teams across manufacturing, IT, communication, and HR sectors.
Sandrine has worked in male-dominated environments. She is committed to gender diversity and empowering women to thrive in leadership roles. She also serves on the board of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, showing her dedication to positive change in business and society.
She co-founded Lemon-Boost with Marie-Solange Vottero.
Connect with Marie & Sandrine:
Website: https://lemon-boost.org
Marie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariesolangevotteromelounou/
Sandrine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrinemonette/
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn:
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This episode of the FocusCore podcast is incredibly relevant for anyone experiencing burnout, overwhelm, or feeling like they are putting in a lot of effort for relatively little results. Our guest this week is Helen Iwata, founder of the #LessEffortMoreImpact Movement for Women in Business. Helen is also a TEDx speaker and coach, Nikkei Style columnist, and author of the Japanese book Eigo no Shigoto-jutsu, published by Shogakukan. For over a decade Helen has been helping busy business professionals, especially women, to do brilliant work without sacrificing their personal lives. Enjoy this episode and learn how to make more impact at work with less effort.
In this episode you will hear:
How Helen overcame her fear of public speakingHelen’s experiences of burnout and early warning signs you can look out forHow understanding your hormone cycle can help your workplace performanceAbout the Less Effort More Impact movement and how to join the communityAbout Helen’s Women’s Success Essentials programThings mentioned in the episode:
The Sasuga! Podcast episode on Love Languages:
https://sasugacommunications.com/131
About Helen Iwata:
Originally from the UK, Helen has lived and worked in Japan for 3 decades. During her 10-year career with McKinsey & Company in Tokyo, as manager of client communications, she trained and coached high-achieving consultants and clients in communication and leadership skills.
In May 2013, Helen established her own business and is now the go-to expert for multiple multinationals to design and lead their training and coaching programs. She has delivered presentations and workshops in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
Helen served as faculty for the Tokyo University Executive Management Program for 6 years and won the 2017 Waseda University Teaching Award for her Strategic Thinking and Communication MBA course.
Helen is also a TEDx speaker and coach, Nikkei Style columnist, and author of the Japanese book Eigo no Shigoto-jutsu, published by Shogakukan. She is the creator and host of The Sasuga! Podcast and founder of The #LessEffortMoreImpact Movement for Women in Business.
Connect with Helen Iwata:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/heleniwata
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleniwata
Website: sasugacommunications.com/
Less Effort More Impact community:
https://sasugacommunications.mykajabi.com/event
Women’s Success Essentials:
https://sasugacommunications.mykajabi.com/wse
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website:
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On the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast host David Sweet talks with Jan Babatz, from Ziemann-Holvrieka, leading provider of tanks and process solutions for the beverage and liquid food industry. Jan has been in charge of establishing the Japanese entity “CLPT Japan KK”, and as a global business leader establishing a company in Japan, Jan has gained a lot of knowledge about being successful in Japan’s unique corporate culture. In the episode, Jan discusses some of this invaluable business knowledge as well as sharing his personal story of growing up in East Berlin before the Berlin Wall came down, and why he came to Japan.
In this episode you will hear:
About how Jan ended up in Japan after growing up in East Berlin About CLPT Japan KK and what it’s been like establishing a new company in JapanThe importance of speaking Japanese in Japan as a foreign business leaderHow Japan differs from other countries when it comes to work cultureJan’s advice to global business leaders in JapanAbout Jan’s love of music and his current passion for playing the ukuleleAbout Jan Babatz:
Jan Babatz was born & raised in former East-Berlin (GDR) until the age of 15. He worked in a sales position in a company in Berlin after graduation, then participated in a one-year exchange and homestay program at the age of 24 in Tokyo. Jan studied business engineering near Berlin, including a 6-month internship in Tokyo and moved to Japan after university graduation in 2004.
From 2005 to 2007 Jan was Sales Manager for Walter Tools as an expat in Toyokawa/Aichi. He switched to a German machine tool company in 2008 and got a 1 year and 10 month training in the headquarters in Germany. In October 2009 Jan moved back to Japan and worked as GM of the Japanese subsidiary. Jan switched to Guhring Tools in October 2017 into the position of president and CEO of Guhring Japan. In November 2023 Jan moved to Ziemann-Holvrieka Germany in November 2023 to establish the Japanese entity “CLPT Japan KK.”
Connect with Jan Babatz:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jan-babatz-27425395
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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On the latest episode of the podcast FocusCore Managing Director, Simon Jelfs, interviews FocusCore’s Singapore Director, David Chong. David has over 17 years talent acquisition experience across internal TA roles, RPO, and Recruitment Agency. He has lived and worked in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. In this discussion David Chong shares with us some of his vast knowledge of recruitment, both internally and externally, and explores the current recruitment landscape in Japan, and internationally.
In this episode you will hear:
What made David Chong join the FocusCore teamWhy Japan's recruitment landscape can be a mystery to international recruitersAdvice for hiring top talent in Japan and SingaporeThe importance of trust and communication when recruitingCommon pitfalls for those pursuing a career in Talent AcquisitionKeys to building a great teamAbout David Chong:
David started his recruitment career in Tokyo covering Accounting and Finance. By now he has over 17 years Talent Acquisition experience across agency, internal function, and RPO, gained from working in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Singapore. He has a proven track record to implement and improve Talent Acquisition function, lead delivery, and sourcing.
At Toll Group (a Japan Post company), David implemented a new RPO across APAC, EMEA & USA. Partnering with multiple stakeholders, he led process simplification and increased productivity across the team of 22 recruiters. To help build the Toll digital brand and talent communities, David optimized sourcing strategy via job boards and social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and WeChat.
At Pall Corporation (a Danaher company), David led the APAC Talent Acquisition RPO team in direct sourcing across China, India, Japan, Korea, Australia, and Southeast Asia. To align with Danaher practice, he helped rollout change management in Talent Acquisition Processes & Systems and promoted Diversity & Inclusion policies.
David is Singaporean and holds an MBA from University of Southern California and MIS degree from University of Washington. He was born in Malaysia, and has lived in Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, and USA. He speaks fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and basic Japanese.
Connect with David Chong:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidchongy
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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This week on the podcast we talk sustainability in Japan with Heather Prosser from Morrow Sodali Japan. In the episode we discuss what sustainability is and how Japanese corporations can start to initiate sustainable change in their workplaces. If you are a business leader in Japan considering the benefits of making your company more sustainable, or if you are an employee wondering how you can influence your employer to make meaningful changes, this is the episode to listen to!
In this episode you will hear:
How Japan compares to the rest of the world in terms of sustainabilityHow business leaders can institute formal sustainable change within their companiesWhat smaller sustainable actions employees can take in their workplaceWhere you can go to find out more about sustainabilityWhat Heather has learned about doing business in JapanAbout Heather:
Heather has over 15 years of impactful experience in the Asia-Pacific financial services and sustainability sectors. Having worked in Tokyo and Hong Kong, she has a strong track record of significant contributions to business development, advisory, strategy, fundraising, and investor relations.
Heather joined Morrow Sodali Japan after playing a crucial role in launching and growing the Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) team at EY Japan from 2015 onwards. She excels in navigating Japanese companies towards ESG risk mitigation, driving sustainable initiatives, and harmonizing environmental responsibility with corporate growth.
Originally from the United States, Heather embarked on her career in venture capital in Silicon Valley, before moving to Japan in 2001. As a committed community leader, her contributions include board member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), leading the ACCJ Sustainability Committee, and Executive Committee member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ).
Her philanthropic efforts include board membership for Shine On! Kids, a charity supporting children with long-term illnesses in Japan. Heather's dynamic career spans the media industry, including as a regular guest presenter on NHK's 'Cool Japan' program since 2007.
Heather Prosser has earned the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing.
Connect with Heather:
Morrow Sodali Japan: https://morrowsodali.com/
Shine On! Kids: https://sokids.org/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/heather-prosser-350bba1a
Corporate email address: [email protected]
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher...
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In the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast we talk to the CEO of Scaling Your Company, Tyson Batino. Tyson advises small business owners and startups on how to scale their business in Japan from six figures to eight figures and also provides coaching to executives on running an organization. In this episode Tyson shares with us his invaluable insights into how businesses can improve their recruitment pipeline and processes. This is an episode that you'll want to listen to for APAC companies looking to open businesses in Japan, and small companies in Japan looking to scale and grow their organization.
In this episode you will hear:
The importance of a positive interview experience for candidatesHow companies can use a well designed interview process to improve employer brandingHow a bigger applicant pipeline can help improve recruitment outcomesTips for leaders on how they can help improve recruitment processesThings mentioned in the episode:
FocusCore podcast episode on Topgrading
About Tyson Batino:
Tyson Batino is the CEO of Scaling Your Company. He advises small business owners and startups on how to scale their business in Japan from six figures to eight figures and also provides coaching to executives on running an organization. He was a co-founder and director at Japan Switch and One Coin English, Japan's 8th largest English school for adults, and a 2x resident mentor at 500 Global Japan, one of the top startup accelerators in the world. With expertise in scaling companies and a passion for mentoring business leaders and founders, Tyson brings invaluable insights into improving your recruitment pipeline and processes.
Connect with Tyson Batino:
Scaling Your Company: https://scalingyourcompany.com/
Personal Site: https://tysonbatino.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tysonbatino/
Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/Tysonbatino
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tysontbatino
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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On the latest episode of the podcast we are thrilled to be able to welcome back our very first guest, Hideo Goto. Hideo is the President of Schick Japan and has more than 20 years experience in the health and beauty industry, and a strong track record of driving results and being incredibly innovative in his approach. If you are an APAC business leader in Japan looking to innovate in a traditionally risk averse business culture, listen to this episode to learn how to encourage a fearlessly innovative culture in your company.
In this episode you will hear:
Advice for APAC leaders working in JapanHow to be innovative in a traditionally risk averse countryStrategies Hideo employs to attract talent in a challenging marketSome of the most important lessons Hideo has learned from his decades of successful and innovative business leadershipAbout Hideo Goto:
Hideo Goto has been the President and Representative Director of Schick Japan since August 2022. Hideo has more than 20 years of experience in the health and beauty industry, and a strong track record of driving results.
He started his career at Johnson & Johnson in 1996 in sales and marketing. In 2005, he joined L’Oreal and spent 11 years there, where he turned around several businesses and scaled the growth. He held various leadership positions throughout his tenure including GM of Active Cosmetics Division in Japan, GM of Consumer Product Division in Taiwan, and GM of Professional Product Division in Japan. Hideo Goto was promoted to Country General Manager of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and Korea in 2021 having joined Henkel Beauty Care in 2017 as GM of the Professional Division.
Hideo earned an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in the U.S. in 2003 and a BBA from Meiji University in 1996
Connect with Hideo Goto:
Schick Japan website: https://schick.jp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hideo-goto-8854b4ba/
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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This week on the podcast we switch things up and have guest host Simon Jelfs, Managing Director of FocusCore Japan, interviews Dr. David Sweet to find out what makes him tick, in business and in life. David is originally from Denver, Colorado with 25 years recruitment experience in Japan, all of it in leadership roles. He established FocusCore Japan in 2011. He's a father of two, a keen runner, a writer, and an ukulele player. Listen to the episode to learn more about how David manages to be so proactive and motivated in business and in life, and gain some invaluable insight into the Japanese labor market and recruitment landscape.
In this episode you will hear:
About David’s love of running marathons and his plans to run the Barcelona marathonHow David manages to stay so proactive and motivated in business and life in generalHow international business leaders view the Japanese marketDavid’s advice to APAC leaders looking to improve recruitment performance in JapanAbout the ageless leadership skills that stand the test of timeAbout Simon Jelfs:
Simon is from the UK and has over 20 years accounting and finance recruitment experience in Tokyo. He is the Managing Director of Focus Core which focuses on providing executive search in Japan.
About David Sweet:
David Sweet is the founder and CEO of FocusCore Group. For the past 25 years, he has helped companies hire the best executive talent in Tokyo. He is also a certified executive coach and author of Sweet Success, Sweet Sales, Recruit! Becoming the Top-Biller, as well as having been interviewed for the book, “Facebook & LinkedIn 対応履歴書いらずのソーシャルメディア転職術” for his expertise in using Social Networking for recruitment in Japan. He also is a published poet, including Gus (illustrated by Jennifer Shinkai), Split Infinity Forward, and Pop Rocks. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Development and a M.A. in Communications from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Connect with Simon Jelfs:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjelfs
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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The automotive industry is currently experiencing a lot of change and innovation globally with, among other things, the increased development and adoption of electric cars and autonomous vehicles. Leaders in this industry are increasingly having to be agile and innovative as well. This week we talk to one such agile leader, Magnus Hansson, CEO/Representative Director of Jaguar Land Rover Japan. In the episode Magnus shares with us some of the innovations and challenges currently being experienced by the automotive industry in Japan, and globally. He also shares with us some insights gleaned from his decades of leadership experience.
In this episode you will hear:
About the similarities and differences between Japanese and Swedish leadership stylesAbout exciting innovations within the automotive industrySome of the big challenges facing automotive companies todayAbout recruitment strategies being utilized by Jaguar Land Rover JapanHow Jaguar Land Rover Japan is pursuing diversity as a companyMagnus’ insights into being a business leader in JapanAbout Magnus:
Magnus Hansson has been the CEO/Representative Director of Jaguar Land Rover Japan since 2013. Born in Sweden, Hansson began his career with Saab in 2000. Before arriving in Japan, he worked in Sweden, Canada and Hong Kong. Magnus is an Internationally schooled and experienced Automotive Executive with excellent strategic, analytical, organizational, and creative abilities. He has proven and leading skills in general management, planning, product, marketing, aftersales and sales operations at both global & national levels.
Connect with Magnus:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/magnus-hansson-aab5b71
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
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This week on the podcast we delve into Web3 technology with Steve Pang. Steve is an innovative disruptor, entrepreneur, author, coach, speaker, and was my mentor when I started FocusCore, 13 years ago. Steve is also the co-founder of the social network disruptor, ZAG Network and NFT project, PSYOP ZOMBIES. If you have been hearing a lot about NFTs, AI and Web3 technologies and want to know how they might apply to your business, recruitment or professional online networking, this will be a valuable discussion to sit in on.
In this episode you will hear:
How Steve went from working in the recruitment industry to the Web3 spaceAbout Steve’s social network disruptor ZAG Network and how it is disrupting the social media landscapeWhat data sovereignty is and why it is importantHow ZAG Network empowers users to monetize their own dataThe different ways Web3 technologies are being utilized in recruitmentThings mentioned in the episode:
NFT project PSYOP ZOMBIES: www.psyopzombies.com
ZAG Network: www.zag.network
About Steve:
A Web3 native since 2017, Co-founder of the social network disruptor, ZAG NETWORK (www.zag.network) and a fun NFT project, PSYOP ZOMBIES (www.psyopzombies.com) linked to ZAG Network, a revolutionary SocialFi Network For Professionals. With a multifaceted background that spans leadership, career advising, coaching, vlogging, and authorship
Having spent over two decades as a seasoned business leader in executive search and recruitment across the dynamic Asia Pacific region. With 8 years of working experience and living in Australia, 5 years in Japan, and 15 plus years in Singapore, Steve's understanding of diverse markets and cultures across Asia Pacific makes him stand out from the pack
As a co-founder and advisor on Web3 ventures since 2017, Steve has been actively engaged in technology and non-tech projects. His passion for the transformative potential of Web3 technology and the decentralized movement is evident, making him a true "Web3 Degen" Just like a mullet haircut, Steve is business in the front, party in the back!
Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Steve is a natural and direct communicator. As an author, Steve has penned two highly regarded books: "Everything You Wish To Ask A Headhunter" and "ZAG's Expert Guide to Personal Branding & Job Seeking." These literary accomplishments further showcase his dedication to empowering individuals to navigate their professional paths with confidence and success. Above all, Steve is fueled by a profound belief in the innate entrepreneurial spirit within every human. To him, entrepreneurship isn't merely about starting companies but rather the instinct to create, shape destinies, and take control of one's life.
ZAG Network launched 24 August 2023, the world eagerly awaits the impact of this Web3 SocialFi Network For Professionals. With a dynamic mix of high energy passion, innovation, and an unyielding commitment to personal and professional growth, Steve continues to shape the future while inspiring others to do the same.
Connect with Steve:
ZAG Network: www.zag.network
Sign up for an account on ZAG Network and we are instantly connected!
LinkedIn :
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This week I am excited to turn the podcasting tables on my guest Catherine O’Connell, who is host and cohost of two fantastic podcasts; Lawyer On Air and Jandals in Japan. If you haven’t listened to those two podcasts I highly recommend them both! Catherine is the principal and founder of her boutique commercial law firm based in Tokyo, Catherine O'Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo and won Tokyo Foreign Lawyer of the Year Award in 2022, Boutique Law Firm of the Year Award in 2023, and is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020. One of Catherine’s missions in life is to change the boardrooms of traditional Japan from the inside, sharing her lived experience through board coaching programs to demystify and open pathways for people to access and attain roles on Japanese corporate boards.
In this episode you will hear:
How Catherine went from being a tour guide in New Zealand to studying law and working as a foreign lawyer in JapanWhat motivated Catherine to set up Catherine O’Connell Law, her own law firm in TokyoAbout the lack of diversity in terms of board governance in JapanWhat Japanese companies can do now to diversify their boardsWhat women leaders can do to open boardroom doors for themselves and othersThings mentioned in the episode:
Statistical Information about female board members in Japan: https://www.nikkei.co.jp/nikkeiinfo/en/global_services/nikkei-bp/female-board-member-survey-which-japanese-company-has-the-highest-percentage-of-female-board-members.html
About Catherine O’Connell:
Catherine O’Connell is Principal & Founder of her boutique commercial law firm based in Tokyo, Catherine O’Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo. She won Boutique Law Firm of the Year Award 2023 and Foreign Lawyer of the Year Award 2022 and is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020.
Significantly, Catherine has been appointed in June 2023 as an Independent Audit & Supervisory Board Member of TOYOTA Motor Corporation. In June 2022 she was appointed as Outside Audit & Supervisory Board member of FUJITSU Limited. Through both of these appointments she has become the first non-Japanese female in Japanese corporate history to serve in this role on any Japanese Board. She is also Statutory Auditor on ASX-listed Japan subsidiary of CSL Behring.
Catherine presides as Vice-Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of Japan, is co-Chair of the Legal Services & IP Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and is immediate Past President of NPO, Women in Law Japan (2021-2023).
Prior to launching her law practice in 2018, Catherine was Head of Legal and APAC Regional Legal Counsel for Molex Japan LLC. She held senior In-House Legal Counsel positions Panasonic, Olympus and Mitsubishi Motors, and has extensive private practice experience at Hogan Lovells (Tokyo and London) and Anderson Lloyd (New Zealand).
Catherine hosts the award-winning “Lawyer on Air” Podcast sharing inspirational stories about women working in the law in Japan and she co-hosts the “Jandals in Japan” podcast about successful New Zealand business in Japan.
Connect with Catherine O’Connell:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/
Website:
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