Irene Bader’s Post

"SME Talk": The Role of the Board in "Going Global" A Board with a mix of product-, global business-, and cross-cultural communication experts is the base for success in “Going Global”. Its main objectives are: 1. Set a Clear Vision   - Define strategic direction for international growth   - Ensure alignment of resources with global objectives 2. Assess Risks and Opportunities   - Identify and evaluate potential risks and opportunities   - Provide guidance on mitigating risks and capitalizing on opportunities 3. Advise on Strategic Partnerships   - Offer insights on potential alliances and collaborations   - Provide guidance on fostering relationships with key stakeholders 4. Ensure Compliance Oversight   - Oversee compliance with international regulations   - Provide guidance on legal and financial matters 5. Monitor Progress   - Regularly review international growth objectives   - Offer strategic insights to help adjust course as needed 6. Foster Cross-Cultural Understanding   - Provide guidance on navigating cultural differences   - Advise on effective cross-cultural communication strategies At DoSwiss Japan Co. Ltd., we offer tailor-made consulting services to help you “Going Global” - learn more at https:doswiss-japan.com #GlobalExpansion #SMEGrowth #InternationalBusiness #DoSwissJapan #ConsultingExpertise #BusinessConsulting #GoGlobal #SMEStrategy #BoardRoomAdvisory #ExecutiveBoard #BoardMember

#strengtheningrelationships #uncoveringopportunities Today, two AGP’ers visited client’s headquarters in Tokyo. Our client, one of the leading Japanese beverage companies and a market leader. This visit was not merely a courtesy call; it was an important mission to meet with the company’s leaders, delve into their current needs and challenges, and identify new opportunities to attract top talents to join their franchise. Throughout our recruiting careers and in the line of our business, we have always emphasized the importance of relationship building with both candidates and clients. The personal connection and trust we cultivate are what truly set us apart! Now the world begins to emerge from the shadow of COVID-19, and in an era of rapid technological advancements and the surge of AI, the human element in business interactions remains irreplaceable. I believe the need to reestablish face-to-face interactions has become more critical than ever. Therefore, meeting our candidates and clients in person allows us to add value in ways that virtual interactions simply cannot match. Trust and confidence are built through genuine, transparent, and professional relationships with both our candidates and clients. Wondering about opportunities with Japanese companies? please contact us Ascent Global Partners #ascentglobalpartnerstokyo #peoplefirstcompany #teamsuccess #japanesebeverage #consumermarkets #japan

🎉 Dive into the fascinating world of Nikkei companies in Japan! 🌟 Uncover the secrets of Japanese corporate culture and discover how loyalty, teamwork, and tradition shape these unique workplaces. Ready to explore the essence of tradition and continuity in the corporate world? Click the link to learn more: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gw6Hek5m #daijob #globalcareerguide #careeradvice #tips #japantips #blog #workinjapan #howtojapan

𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡… When being unaware of the cultural differences at play in international business, you use a lot of your brain capacity to deal with misunderstandings, miscommunication and with frustration as a consequence.. Our cultural ‘profile’ in our brain 🧠 helps us to 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲, so that we do not need to think about how certain things are done.. Your 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 ‘𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭’ 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 so that we keep & use our brain capacity for more important things. For example innovation - finding solutions for challenges and ground-breaking activities 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐲-𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭. It has been an honor to train the Asia team of my client this week in Singapore.. Another team becoming aware of the cultural differences at play in their daily work so that they can 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬. So that they can use their brain capacity for the things that will 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡. Thank you team Asia - You were amazing! Thank you Singapore for your hospitality, it was great to be back. 😍 #traininganddevelopment #internationalbusiness #culturaldiversity #businessandmanagement

I’ve been fortunate to spend more time with my colleagues in Japan and Korea these past few months. We’re diving deep into how our operations between the Americas and Japan and Korea compare and contrast. That’s how we build a better global organization. It’s a synergy exchange - where we support each other and acknowledge what we each do best and what we can learn from each other. One example of this is how we’re learning from our respective partner ecosystems. We’ve excelled at expansion in the Americas, while Masaki Sox Konno and Boon Choon Lim in Japan and Korea have excelled at building deep, meaningful relationships with their partners. So, they’re helping us deepen our partnerships, while we help them expand their ecosystem. This can apply to all areas of business. Being able to recognize what your strengths and weaknesses are and finding departments, regions, and teams who excel in the areas you struggle - and vice versa - makes everyone better. Looking forward to more great global collaboration across the Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence team. 📸 Christoph Bucksteegen Renée Rädler Masaki Sox Konno Boon Choon Lim & more incredible team members. #GlobalCollaboration #Manufacturing #Partnerships #Innovation

Are you evaluating new locations or expanding your Manufacturing Operations footprint in Asia? Over the past 18 months, this topic, and Supply Chain diversification has been a recurring focus for many of our clients in the region. In response, we’ve partnered with industry leaders to host an exclusive breakfast event in Singapore, offering valuable insights, best practices, and case study discussions. We have a few seats remaining available for this event, which will cover: Site Selection and Build-Out Methodologies – Best Practices and Challenges This event will be an information session and opportunity for networking with industry leaders. If this aligns with your current priorities, I’d be happy to reserve your spot. Feel free to send me a direct message or email me at: ben.mcdonald@connexus-global.com. 📅 17th October, 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 21 Collyer Quay, Singapore – Room 02G, 2nd Floor (WeWork) In partnership with: Tractus: Specializing in market entry, site selection, and investment strategies for businesses expanding in Asia. Takenaka Corporation: One of Japan’s leading design, engineering, and construction companies, with a legacy spanning 400 years of expertise in design-build projects. Organized by: Connexus Global | Executive Search: providing market insights and executive search services for companies in the Consumer, Industrials, and Supply Chain sectors. #supplychaindiversification #manufacturing #bestpractices #southeastasia #apac

Global expansion requires local actions. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐀𝐈 recently announced the opening of its office in Tokyo. 🗼 (🔗 Find the link to Nikkei's article on this topic in the comments below.) Simply relying on translations isn't sufficient for managing international businesses; otherwise, companies wouldn't make the effort to establish local operations. 🇯🇵 In the Japanese market, many F&B brands rely solely on distributors. Learning from market leaders about expanding internationally can offer valuable insights for businesses venturing into overseas markets. 🎯 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 remain consistent across industries. 1️⃣ 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒 If you have local partners, on-site management and support are extremely beneficial for keeping their attention and driving further growth. 2️⃣ 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐙𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 Localized strategy, service offerings are crucial to success and market expansion. 3️⃣ 𝐄𝐍𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒 Direct communication with customers not only improves retention rates but also helps develop products and functions that can compete with rivals. It's critical to keep in mind that the factors mentioned above aren't just necessary for the success of top-performing companies and brands. They're also essential for your success right from the beginning of your expansion into overseas export markets. 👉 Don't underestimate the importance of these factors, as they can make all the difference in your journey toward becoming a market leader. _______ Marton Lendvai, MBA TOO International #localization #foodandbeverages #japan

The power of collaboration in China: How Chinese company networks solve technical problems and reduce lead times. China’s business landscape is renowned for its ability to foster collaboration and innovation. Here's how Chinese company networks work together to tackle technical challenges and optimize lead times: 1. Ecosystem synergy: Chinese companies operate within highly interconnected ecosystems, where collaboration is key. These ecosystems include suppliers, manufacturers, tech firms, and research institutions, all working closely together. This synergy allows for seamless communication and rapid problem-solving. 2. Agile partnerships: Strategic partnerships are forged based on mutual benefits and shared goals. Companies leverage each other's strengths, whether it's advanced technology, manufacturing capabilities, or market insights. This collaborative approach ensures that technical problems are addressed swiftly and efficiently. 3. Rapid prototyping and iteration: The proximity of suppliers and manufacturers within industrial clusters enables rapid prototyping and iterative development. When a technical issue arises, companies can quickly gather feedback, make adjustments, and test new solutions without significant delays. 4. Strong Guanxi (Relationships): In China, the concept of guanxi, or building strong personal and business relationships, plays a crucial role. Trust and mutual understanding among business partners lead to smoother collaborations and quicker resolutions to challenges. These relationships enable companies to negotiate better terms, prioritize resources, and expedite processes. 5. Integrated supply chains: Chinese companies benefit from highly integrated supply chains. Close collaboration within these networks allows for better coordination, minimizing bottlenecks and reducing lead times. Companies can respond quickly to market demands and technical issues, ensuring timely delivery of products. In this collaborative environment, Chinese companies are not just competing but co-creating, leveraging their networks to solve technical problems and reduce lead times. This spirit of cooperation is a cornerstone of China’s rapid technological advancements and global competitiveness. #Innovation #Collaboration #China #TechIndustry #BusinessNetworks #Guanxi #ProblemSolving #Efficiency #Weprod

For international companies eyeing Japan for expansion, blending into the local business ecosystem while capitalizing on global diversity is key. Here’s a concise strategy guide: 1. Master Local Business Practices: Understand Japan's regulatory environment and business customs to ensure compliance and smooth operations. 2. Cultivate a Bicultural Team: Hire both local Japanese talent and international employees, emphasizing language and cultural adaptability to bridge cultural gaps. 3. Foster Mutual Integration: Develop training that helps all team members adapt to Japanese business etiquette and your company’s global practices, promoting a unified, efficient workforce. Adapting to and integrating these aspects can set your company up for success in Japan, making diversity a strategic asset. #BusinessInJapan #CulturalIntegration #GlobalDiversity

"They have a solution for everything," said one of my colleagues during my recent business trip to Asia. And I couldn't agree more after what I experienced in Japan. Things are very well thought out, with attention to detail and serve a specific purpose. And to achieve this, they follow a defined process which needs all the necessary steps, even if you can only see part of it and do not (yet) understand the whole picture. As a European woman with a high level of self-confidence (most of the time 😉), this can be something you have to get used to at first, as you can't shortcut the process - believe me, I've tried, you just get caught and have to go back to square one. What impressed me the most is how things and people are connected. I've never experienced people paying so much attention to my schedule, advising me when would be a good time to step out of the workshops to meet some of the Japanese leaders for 1:1s, and connecting me even before I could reach out, just because I'd mentioned who I'd like to meet. Even in the broader team, people would suddenly show up at the right time for a particular slot, agenda item, or lunch because it was related to their work or we were going to meet anyway, and they would join in the social events as well. And without obviously asking for preferences, I feel like people paid a lot of attention to what others needed and what would work best. Even in our workshops, we had a focus on best practices, and we immediately applied things that worked well and documented them for the broader team to follow. So I feel like I've taken another big step in building great connections in Japan and with our HQ leaders and colleagues. Understanding things a little deeper will be a game changer in our future setup. Do you have an HQ in Japan or have you worked across Japan - any similar or completely different experiences? #Japan #culture #peopleandleaders #headquarters