The FocusCore Podcast

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

From Corporate to Entrepreneur in Japan with Naomi Takase(Washimi)

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet speaks with Naomi Takase(Washimi) about her transition from global luxury talent acquisition roles at Richemont and LVMH to joining her husband’s Indian-inspired jewelry brand, TaroWashimi, in 2024. Naomi describes a year-long, anxiety-filled decision process driven by concerns about career trajectory, reputation, and losing the corporate “name,” then explains how startup life requires more generalist skills while still relying on identifying problems and executing solutions. She discusses working closely with her husband, the brand’s detailed craftsmanship, and the constraints of scaling handmade products, including long waitlists and growing the team from about 5 to 15. Naomi also shares her HR priorities, hiring for potential, flexible work, and supporting working mothers, along with challenges of international expansion, such as regulations, shipping, and rising gold costs.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

How Naomi made the leap from a luxury career to entrepreneurship
Insights into building a flexible and inclusive workplace culture
Her perspective on people and leadership in growing a business
Overcoming self-doubt and redefining professional identity
Challenges and triumphs in expanding a niche brand across Asia
Embracing career changes with agility and vision

About Naomi:

Naomi moved to Japan from New Zealand after graduating from university a long time ago. She began her career in Japan, in HR in a small recruitment firm that grew rapidly to over 700 employees during her 12-year tenure, and she was responsible for a lot of that. Naomi then moved in-house to talent acquisition, spending the next nine years with luxury groups, including

Richman and LVMH. In both organizations, her roles were newly created and she was responsible for establishing the function. And then in 2024, she took a big jump and joined her husband's jewelry company, TaroWashimi. And it's a transition from a startup to a scale-up. And she enjoys the entrepreneurial environment and contributes through strategic organizational development.

Naomi is also a busy mother of three and recently took up running with her husband.

Connect with Naomi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-takase/

TaroWashimi: https://www.tarowashimi.jp/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Transforming HR Practices in Japan with Brent Conkle & Dan Ring

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet speaks with Brent Conkle (President and CEO) and Dan Ring of Global Leadership Solutions about the high cost of leadership mishires, especially their impact on morale, engagement, and turnover. They discuss Japan’s tight talent market and introduce their Second Opinion Service (SOS), which uses the Garuda AS suite of assessments to measure universal leadership competencies, stress sensitivity, and role fit with reliable, evidence-based results that can be customized to company and local culture. The conversation covers common hiring biases (prestige, likability, referrals), the value of data to align local and HQ decisions, and how the same methodology can support selection for management programs, succession planning, and onboarding through transition coaching. They also discuss AI’s role in hiring and share advice on making better critical hires.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

The underestimated impact of leadership on team morale and engagement
The critical role of the Second Opinion Service in improving recruitment outcomes
Strategies for successful onboarding and reducing turnover
The relevance of stress sensitivity in high-pressure work environments like Japan
The future of strategic HR and how AI could reshape candidate assessment

About Brent:

Brent Conkle is the President and CEO of Global Leadership Solutions Co., Ltd., bringing over 25 years of global experience in HR leadership, consulting, talent acquisition, and executive coaching across North America, Europe, and Asia. A certified HR professional and executive, leadership, and career coach, Brent is known for helping leaders cut through complexity, lead transformational change, and elevate performance with a strong focus on measurable ROI and long-term impact.

Throughout his career, Brent has supported startups, corporate turnarounds, and major APAC transformation initiatives, consistently driving sustainable growth by enhancing employee engagement, retention, and organizational performance. His approach centers on developing stronger leaders and building highly engaged, high-performing workplaces.

In addition to his role as CEO, Brent has served as a Regional Global Employment Advisor at the U.S. Department of State, where he supported foreign service officers and eligible family members with career strategy and professional development across international postings. He also works as a Transition & Executive Coach with Randstad RiseSmart, guiding professionals through strategic career transitions both within and beyond their organizations.

Brent is the co-author of The Practical Leader: A Guide to Creating Highly-Engaged and High-Performing Organizations, offering practical tools and insights for workforce development. His mission is to coach global leaders to achieve outstanding results in their careers while creating organizations that are exceptional places to work.

About Dan:

Daniel Ring is an experienced Human Resources professional with over 12 years of expertise across Europe and Asia. He has a strong background in strategic HR initiatives, particularly in change management and talent development, and is passionate about leveraging technology to improve workplace practices and enhance employee experiences.

In his role as a consultant with Global Leadership Solutions, Daniel works closely with organizations to support leadership development and address challenges such as organizational change and employee engagement. He focuses on equipping leaders with the tools and strategies needed to align people practices with business objectives.

Daniel’s career has included roles such as Senior HR Business Partner at Broadridge Financial Solutions and Head of HR at NatWest Markets Japan. In these positions, he helped implement global career frameworks, redesign leadership structures, and streamline HR operations. His regional experience has given him a broad understanding what it takes to deliver for diverse, international organizations.

Daniel is committed to helping organizations and their leaders develop effective strategies for building strong teams and achieving sustainable success in today’s evolving business landscape.

Connect with Brent:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentconkle/

Global Leadership Solutions: https://getglsjapan.com/

Connect with Dan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpring/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Navigating Japan's FinTech Landscape with Pieter Franken

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet interviews Pieter Franken, a FinTech pioneer and innovator with a rich history in finance, technology, and regulation. Pieter outlines his journey from a trainee scientist in Holland to becoming a key figure in Japan's FinTech ecosystem. He shares his experiences and significant contributions, including his roles at Citigroup, Shinsei Bank, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, as well as his co-founding of Safecast, a crucial citizen science project post-Fukushima. The conversation delves into the evolution of FinTech globally and in Japan, discussing the impact of cloud computing, APIs, and mobile technology, as well as governmental roles in stimulating innovation. Pieter also talks about the upcoming Global Finance and Technology Network Forum (GFTN) in Tokyo, highlighting its importance for FinTech discussion and networking. Additionally, he touches upon the complexity of integrating new technologies into human systems and stresses the need for adaptive, human-centric innovations.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Pieter Franken's journey from Holland to Japan and his pivotal role in the FinTech industry
The evolution of Japan's startup ecosystem and cultural shifts in recent decades
The role and impact of cloud computing and mobile technology in FinTech's growth
The establishment of Safecast and its significance in citizen science and data transparency
The importance and anticipation of the Global Finance and Technology Network Forum in fostering industry dialogue and innovation

About Pieter:

Pieter is a fintech pioneer, deep-tech innovator, and builder with over three decades at the intersection of finance, technology, regulation, and public good.

He’s held senior leadership roles at institutions like Citigroup, Shinsei Bank, Monex, and UnionDigital Bank; advised regulators including the Monetary Authority of Singapore; and helped build global platforms focused on financial inclusion, open data, and responsible innovation. He’s also a co-founder of Safecast, one of the most influential citizen-science projects in the world, and a driving force behind Japan’s fintech ecosystem through Elevandi and the Japan Fintech Festival.

Connect with Pieter:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbfranken/

GFTN Japan: http://gftn.co/japan

GFTN Forum[Feb 24-27th 2026]: https://gftnforum.jp/?utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=google&utm_term=gftn%20japan&utm_content=branded-insights-learning&utm_campaign=gfj_2026_jp_search_traffic_280126&_gl=1*1uvuohl*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7rDMBhCjARIsAGDBuEBY1bz21ngvAnJufNmlwr_Kxe4Ku6uz1R5I6beSQvq5Qiv7h2aZCHkaAmI3EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAqxUcYm4HHIROSay5zHtoL9JyGrmm

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Business Transformation Journey and Sustainability in Japan with Paul Beddie

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet interviews Paul Beddie, a global business development executive and sustainability advocate with a 30-year career. Paul shares his accidental journey to Japan and his extensive experience working across various sectors, including management consulting and software. He provides insights on the challenges and nuances of leadership in Japan, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and adapting to cultural contexts. The discussion also delves into sustainability, where Paul highlights the need for a holistic approach in businesses and the urgent shift required from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Despite the complexities, Paul remains optimistic about the potential for profitability through sustainable practices.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

How Paul pioneered his path from international affairs to global business leadership
What foreign leaders often misunderstand about Japan's business environment
Challenges and opportunities in promoting corporate sustainability within Japanese and global contexts
The critical importance of relationship building in Japan's business culture
The impact of personal belief and responsibility in achieving successful career outcomes

About Paul:

Paul is a global business development executive, a sustainability champion, and one of those rare leaders who can really talk through a purpose and proposal without sounding dull.

He's got a great 30 year career. He's delivered more than a hundred million in profit and helped create over a billion dollars in value. With leading multicultural teams across four continents. He's advised CXOs and boards on digital transformation, energy transition, and global expansion. He's launched businesses in China.

He's guided smart city innovation and taught some of Japan's top universities and built relationships at the highest levels of industry. And at his core, Paul is a connector of people, ideas and possibilities, and he carries a simple North Star: do the right thing.

Connect with Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbeddie/

The FutureMax Institute: https://www.futuremaxinstitute.com/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

FocusCore New Year Reflections and Predictions <2026>

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0900

Welcome to the Year of the Horse, and to another episode of the FocusCore podcast. Kicking off 2026, David Sweet reflects on the last year for FocusCore. He discusses some highlights and some insights into what the organization has seen happen over 2025. David also predicts what he thinks might happen in 2026 in the recruitment and talent acquisition landscape in Japan.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: INSERT Short Link => Attribution link Salary guide 202

In this episode you will hear:

The impact of FocusCore becoming a partner with IIC Partners for global recruitment solutions.
Key insights from Salary Guide 2026, highlighting the increasing importance of competitive salaries.
Strategies for SMEs in Japan to compete in talent acquisition.
The growing demand for CFOs with cross-border expertise.
How companies are leveraging interim executives for strategic advantage.
The impact of AI and tech advancements in Japan

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Winter Re-release #3 - Driving DHL’s Growth and Leadership in Japan with Karsten Michaelis

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0900

As we step into the New Year and take a moment to reset after the holiday season, this episode marks the final Winter re-release before we return with brand-new content.

To start the year on a thoughtful note, we’re revisiting one of this year’s most popular episodes, perfect to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea as you reflect on the year that’s passed and look ahead to what’s next, just like David will be.

Thank you for being with us through the Winter re-releases, and we’ll see you very soon with new episodes in the year ahead.

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Karsten Michaelis, CEO for North Asia and President of DHL Global Forwarding Japan. Karsten shares his extensive experience in the logistics industry, with a particular focus on his leadership journey across various Asian countries, including Japan. He discusses the unique challenges and strategies involved in managing teams in Japan, the importance of adapting to local cultures while maintaining core management principles, and the necessity of bridging the gap between headquarters and local expectations. Additionally, Karsten touches on fostering innovation, sustainability efforts at DHL, and the evolving landscape of logistics, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation provides valuable insights into the complexities of global logistics and effective leadership in a multicultural environment.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Karsten's strategies for adapting leadership approaches across different cultures
The importance of understanding and bridging HQ and local expectations in Japan
Insights into fostering innovation and responsive leadership within a global organization
How DHL is leveraging digital tools and AI to drive operational excellence
Sustainable business practices and the future of logistics in a carbon-neutral world
Karsten's personal reflections on motivation and leadership development in the logistics industry

About Karsten:

Currently the CEO North Asia and President/Representative Director of DHL Global Forwarding Japan, Karsten is responsible for the overall strategy and development of our business in Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Philippines, which encompasses air- and oceanfreight, customs clearance, industrial projects, ocean bulk, motorsports as well as some warehouse activities.

Karsten brings over two decades of forwarding experience with him which began in Germany in 1996. Since 2002, he has been working in Asia Pacific with postings in Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Australia and Singapore. Prior to his current role, Karsten held several positions with DHL Global Forwarding, heading the oceanfreight team in Asia Pacific he was responsible for the development of the ocean freight business spanning 21 countries across Asia Pacific.

Karsten graduated with Honors in Business and Management Studies from Oxford Brookes University. He currently sits on the Asia Pacific Management Board for DHL Global Forwarding and is based in Tokyo.

Connect with Karsten:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karsten-michaelis-7074955/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

https://www.amazon.com.au/Mind-Strategist-Art-Japanese-Business/dp/0070479046

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Winter Re-release #2 - Strategic Finance and Business Transformation in Japan with Taisuke Yoshida

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0900

During the month of December, as the year winds down and the holiday season begins, we’ll be taking a short break from recording new episodes. To keep you company during the festive period, we’ll be re-releasing some of this year’s most popular episodes, perfect to enjoy with a warm drink by your side as you reflect on the year, just like David will be.

In this episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David engages in a deep conversation with Taisuke Yoshida, a dynamic leader in strategic finance and business transformation. Taisuke shares his journey from Sumitomo Chemical to his current role at Schneider Electric, highlighting the evolution of finance from traditional bookkeeping to a value-driver function. They discuss the importance of leadership and digital skills in FP&A, the differences in FP&A practices between Japanese and global companies, and the role of strategic finance business partnering. Taisuke also provides insights into leveraging generative AI for business understanding and the significance of effective communication and trust-building in cross-functional teams. The conversation provides valuable perspectives for finance professionals aiming to drive business performance and value creation.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Taisuke’s career progression and leadership development from local to global contexts
The importance of leadership and digital acumen for future finance professionals.
How Japanese companies can leverage FP&A as business partners.
Challenges and opportunities in Japanese FP&A practices.

Things mentioned in the episode:

The Mind Of The Strategist: The Art of Japanese Business - Kenichi Ohmae

三枝匡(Tadashi Saegusa)

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%9C%AC-%E4%B8%89%E6%9E%9D-%E5%8C%A1/s?rh=n%3A465392%2Cp_27%3A%25E4%25B8%2589%25E6%259E%259D%2B%25E5%258C%25A1

『実践　日本版ＦＰ＆Ａ』池側千絵

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%AE%9F%E8%B7%B5-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E7%89%88%EF%BC%A6%EF%BC%B0%EF%BC%86%EF%BC%A1-%E6%B1%A0%E5%81%B4%E5%8D%83%E7%B5%B5/dp/450253191X

Loglass経営企画サミット

https://www.loglass.jp/news/event-0417

About Taisuke Yoshida:

After graduating from the University of Tokyo, Taisuke began his career at Sumitomo Chemical, where he mastered the art of cost management and performance improvement at both the factory and division levels. Driven to expand his global perspective, he earned his MBA from IESE Business School in Spain.

He then joined Industrial Growth Platform, Inc. (IGPI), advising CEOs and investors on business due diligent post-merger integration and management control systems across multiple industries. Taisuke is currently at Schneider Electric as the East Asia industrial automation business finance leader, partnering with business heads across the region to shape and execute strategies that improve performance and create enterprise value beyond the impressive credentials.

Taisuke brings a passion for innovation, transformation, and building strong, diverse teams, and he also brings a contagious enthusiasm for finance.

Connect with Taisuke Yoshida:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taisuke-yoshida-595a2224/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Winter Re-release #1 - Balancing Performance and Wellness with Menya Hinga

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Menya Hinga, a certified health coach and co-founder of SOGO Fitness. The discussion revolves around the challenges high-performing professionals face in maintaining their health while balancing work and personal life. Menya shares his personal journey from aspiring lawyer to health coach, emphasizing the importance of sleep, nutrition, fitness, and stress management. He also discusses his approach to sustainable habit formation and offers practical tips for achieving long-term health and fitness goals.

In this episode you will hear:

Menya’s journey into Health and Fitness
Importance of the Big Four: Food, Fitness, Sleep, and Stress
Why sleep and nutrition are often neglected by busy professionals
The role of stress management in achieving overall well-being
Impacting Lives Through Fitness

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

About Menya:

Menya Hinga is a Tokyo-based health coach who helps busy professionals simplify fitness. Originally from Massachusetts, he’s spent over 13 years helping people get stronger, leaner, and feel better in their bodies. He is the founder of MH Health Coaching and co-founder of SOGO Fitness. He is also a level one certified functional strength coach, a level one certified nutrition coach, a certified personal trainer. Menya blends practical strategies with proven systems to help clients build habits that last. When he’s not coaching, he’s reading, playing piano, or getting a workout in by chasing his four kids around the house.

Connect with Menya:

Website: https://www.menyahinga.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menyahinga/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

B2B Marketing Innovation in Japan with Robert Heldt

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Robert Heldt, Co-founder and CEO of Custom Media, a B2B marketing agency based in Tokyo. Robert shares his journey from his hospitality background to becoming a leader in digital marketing and strategic communications in Japan. He emphasizes the cultural differences in marketing between Japan and the West, particularly the importance of humility, relationship-building, and contextualized storytelling. Robert introduces the AIM framework (Adapt, Implement, Maximize) used by his agency to help global brands succeed in the Japanese market. The conversation covers the impact of AI on content creation, the importance of localization beyond translation, and the unique challenges faced by B2B brands in Japan.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Robert's journey from a hospitality background to founding Custom Media, a leading B2B marketing agency in Tokyo.
The importance of understanding cultural nuances in Japan and how marketing strategies must be adapted for local audiences.
Insights into storytelling in a Japanese context and the emphasis on humility and group values over bold self-promotion.
An overview of the AIM framework (Adapt, Implement, Maximize) and its application in helping global brands succeed in Japan.
The role of AI in content creation, demand generation, and the evolving landscape of marketing within the B2B sector.

About Robert:

Robert Heldt is an accomplished entrepreneur and thought leader with over 17 years of experience in digital marketing and strategic communications. He advises global brands on market entry and expansion in Japan, driven by a passion for leveraging storytelling to achieve results in B2B PR and marketing. Robert holds an MBA from McGill and a Digital Transformation Platform Strategies qualification from MIT Sloan. He serves as the APAC President for AMIN Worldwide, a global network of independent advertising and marketing agencies, and is a Vice-Chair on both the PR & Marketing Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and the PR Worldwide Alliance.

Connect with Robert:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertheldt/

AIM B2B: https://aim-b2b.com/

Custom Media: https://custom-media.com/

2025 Content Marketing Report: https://aim-b2b.com/blog/longform/content-marketing-japan-2025-insights/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Driving DHL’s Growth and Leadership in Japan with Karsten Michaelis

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0900

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Karsten's strategies for adapting leadership approaches across different cultures
The importance of understanding and bridging HQ and local expectations in Japan
Insights into fostering innovation and responsive leadership within a global organization
How DHL is leveraging digital tools and AI to drive operational excellence
Sustainable business practices and the future of logistics in a carbon-neutral world
Karsten's personal reflections on motivation and leadership development in the logistics industry

About Karsten:

Connect with Karsten:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karsten-michaelis-7074955/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Bridging Global Recruitment Gaps in Japan with Damian Rhodes

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Damian Rhodes, founder of Talent Diagnostic Solutions, about his career journey and insights into leadership and recruitment in Japan. Damian shares his unique background, beginning with a year as a monk, and discusses important lessons from that time. He emphasizes the human-centered approach in recruitment and the significance of understanding cultural nuances, especially when working in Asia. They also delve into the role of AI in recruitment, the characteristics necessary for effective leadership, and the importance of flexibility, purpose, and communication in today's global business environment.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Damien's unique journey from monk to a leading figure in recruitment
The challenges of bridging cultural gaps in international recruitment
Key strategies for human-centered recruitment in multicultural settings
Insights into the evolving role of AI in recruitment and its impacts
The current trends in recruitment that every leader should be aware of

About Damian:

Damian Rhodes has an unusual background, having spent a year as a monk before working in commercial due diligence with CiL Management Consultants / Ernst & Young. He later embarked on a 24-year recruitment career across the UK and Asia, encompassing executive search, workforce planning, and employee engagement. He has also helped organisations

establish recruitment process outsourcing, run large-scale hiring programs, and helped organisations make sense of artificial intelligence in talent acquisition.

Damian is the founder of Talent Diagnostic Solutions, a consultancy that helps organisations make smarter people decisions across recruitment, engagement, and performance. He is a certified organisational coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching & Leadership, as well as a Maxwell Leadership Certified Trainer and Public Speaker. He partners with leaders across industries to unlock potential, build high-performing teams, and drive sustainable growth.

He lives near Bath with his wife, May, and their four young children. Outside of work, he enjoys coffee, comedy, and Dad jokes. Damian was recently elected President of his local BNI Chapter and as he's not busy enough he is about to start studying for CIPD Level 7 to formalise his HR expertise!

Connect with Damian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianrhodes/

Damian Rhodes Coaching & Advisory: https://damianrhodes.com/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%AE%9F%E8%B7%B5-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E7%89%88%EF%BC%A6%EF%BC%B0%EF%BC%86%EF%BC%A1-%E6%B1%A0%E5%81%B4%E5%8D%83%E7%B5%B5/dp/450253191X/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_2_1/355-0484169-3913341?pd_rd_w=ncOp1&content-id=amzn1.sym.fe9e7b6a-7eb1-4695-9d8d-c2c9268438f1&pf_rd_p=fe9e7b6a-7eb1-4695-9d8d-c2c9268438f1&pf_rd_r=C6MP8BCHWP7Z05QX392C&pd_rd_wg=BVLI6&pd_rd_r=0abae083-a1f9-4822-985b-bfbb70bc3fbc&pd_rd_i=450253191X&psc=1

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

FP&A Transformation in Japanese Corporations with Chie Ikegawa

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet welcomes Chie Ikegawa, an expert in finance and FP&A, to discuss the evolution of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) in Japanese companies. Chie explains the unique challenges Japanese companies face in adopting FP&A practices compared to American companies, highlighting the cultural and structural differences. She shares her experiences in transforming FP&A departments, emphasizing the importance of leadership commitment, role definition, and effective training. Chie also outlines the future of FP&A, including the impact of AI and data analytics on the function. Ultimately, she advocates for tailored FP&A solutions that fit the specific needs of Japanese companies.

Register for our upcoming Salary Guide Release Event: INSERT Short Link => Attribution link Salary guide 2025

In this episode you will hear:

Chie's career journey and her advocacy for establishing strong FP&A functions.
The evolution of FP&A in Japanese companies and why it's essential for growth.
The key differences between US and Japanese FP&A models and their implications.
The process of transforming traditional management accounting into modern FP&A functions.
Real-world case studies from Fujitsu, Ajinomoto, and Kirin that highlight successful transformations.
How AI and digital tools are reshaping the future of FP&A in Japan.

About Chie:

Chie Ikegawa (PhD in Professional Accounting, MBA) is a finance professional who has served as CFO and FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) leader at the Japanese subsidiaries of global companies such as P&G, McDonald’s, Lenovo, and Kellogg. She now helps Japanese companies establish and strengthen their FP&A functions to maximize corporate and business value. She also serves as a board member of listed Japanese companies. She teaches management control, management accountants, and corporate governance at a business school.

She started golf 2 years ago and enjoys almost every weekend.

Her books are;

The Changing Roles of Management Accountants: A Japanese Perspective (2023)

Practical Implementation of FP&A in Japanese Companies (2025)

Connect with Chie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chie-ikegawa-1ba765b/

Website: http://strat.jp/

実践　日本版FP&A(her new book)

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

https://www.amt-group.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMsto1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2UUpCOTBkdUxPY0tOeEhQAR6AaLCYPcKkjjTZTWW_CgzfTy_XyRLRlbKAt9KfzCwI_HRFybBtnhGQK5Rueg_aem_j4u8nPMJKa5gAaRdaqsLaw

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Exploring Cross-Cultural Leadership and some Rock’n Roll with Andrew Silberman

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Andrew Silberman, President of Advanced Management Training Group (AMT). They discuss various aspects of leadership and talent development, specifically focusing on differences between Japanese and American leadership styles. He highlights the superior listening skills of Japanese leaders and explores how assertiveness from American leadership could benefit Japanese companies.

He shares his journey from starting a company after being laid off to developing global thinkers for over 30 years. Andrew also emphasizes the importance of storytelling, hybrid leadership, and the impact of music on leadership.

The episode includes a rapid-fire round on the Rolling Stones, underscoring Andrew's passion for music. He also discusses the challenges and strategies of developing global talent and announces the release of his new audiobook, 'Get A G.R.I.P. on Presentations.'

Register for our upcoming Salary Guide Release Event: Salary Guide Event

In this episode you will hear:

What first drew Andrew to the field of leadership and talent development, and the start of AMT Group
About Global Readiness®
The impact of cultural differences on leadership styles in Japan and the US
The art of storytelling as a tool in leadership and presentations
The challenges and opportunities of hybrid leadership in a post-pandemic world
The vibrant role of music in enhancing leadership and teamwork dynamics
Andrew's experiences and thoughts on the future of global talent improvement and readiness

About Andrew:

Andrew is the President and Chief Enthusiast of Advanced Management Training Group K.K.

For over 30 years, Andrew has been developing global thinkers, helping leaders. Teams boost their communication, leadership, and teamwork skills across Asia and North America and Europe. He is the author of the Get a G.R.I.P. series on Global Readiness®, which is a four-book series with a new audio version just out.

And when he's not energizing executives, he's a rocking musician and he fronts the band called The moonshots. Andrew brings a unique blend of business insights and creative passion.

Connect with Andrew:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsilberman/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amtchief/?hl=ja

AMT Group K.K.

Get A G.R.I.P.

https://www.audible.co.jp/pd/Get-a-G-R-I-P-on-Presentations-%E3%82%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%AA%E3%83%96%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF/B0FL1WQSQB?qid=1757403025&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=051ed80d-7075-4d26-8156-6887bfda8699&pf_rd_r=VFSMATWBX76C0H1CFDRR&plink=T1iuf20WcMQM9mvq&pageLoadId=0HVn3H0yIX3VszlT&creativeId=c268f6e0-1726-4b9a-b0bc-86e06ad44ad2&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

Moonshots

https://open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/44H6LDlh9qW7XERRkDjcA2?si=eC-9-brTSECGvD474-dg5g

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

https://www.amazon.com.au/Mind-Strategist-Art-Japanese-Business/dp/0070479046

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Strategic Finance and Business Transformation in Japan with Taisuke Yoshida

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 05:00:00 +0900

We’ve wrapped up our summer re-release series and are back behind the mic with brand new episodes! No Mai Tai this time. Just fresh conversations with leaders shaping business in Japan.

Register for our upcoming Salary guide release event: Salary Guide Event

In this episode you will hear:

Taisuke’s career progression and leadership development from local to global contexts
The importance of leadership and digital acumen for future finance professionals.
How Japanese companies can leverage FP&A as business partners.
Challenges and opportunities in Japanese FP&A practices.

Things mentioned in the episode:

The Mind Of The Strategist: The Art of Japanese Business - Kenichi Ohmae

三枝匡(Tadashi Saegusa)

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%9C%AC-%E4%B8%89%E6%9E%9D-%E5%8C%A1/s?rh=n%3A465392%2Cp_27%3A%25E4%25B8%2589%25E6%259E%259D%2B%25E5%258C%25A1

『実践　日本版ＦＰ＆Ａ』池側千絵

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%AE%9F%E8%B7%B5-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E7%89%88%EF%BC%A6%EF%BC%B0%EF%BC%86%EF%BC%A1-%E6%B1%A0%E5%81%B4%E5%8D%83%E7%B5%B5/dp/450253191X

Loglass経営企画サミット

https://www.loglass.jp/news/event-0417

About Taisuke Yoshida:

Taisuke brings a passion for innovation, transformation, and building strong, diverse teams, and he also brings a contagious enthusiasm for finance.

Connect with Taisuke Yoshida:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taisuke-yoshida-595a2224/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Summer Re-release #4 - The Nuances of Effective Marketing in Japan, with Ricardo Tasca

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0900

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.

The last episode of Summer re-release, we are joined by yet another amazing guest at the forefront of marketing and business leadership in Japan, Ricardo Tasca. Ricardo is currently the General Manager and Representative Director of Hill’s Colgate (Japan). Ricardo has years of experience leading marketing innovation and success in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and New York. In this episode Ricardo shares some unique experiences of being a leader in the pet care industry in Japan, as well as discussing global trends and innovations in marketing and brand management happening now and in the future.

In this episode you will hear:

What makes the Japan market unique
What Ricardo sees as emerging trends in the Japanese consumer market
How the pet care industry is evolving in Japan and globally
The importance of sustainability to Hill’s Pet Nutrition Japan
How investing in R&D helps brands innovate and be competitive in the market

Things mentioned in the episode:

Hill’s Food, Shelter, & Love Program: https://www.hillspet.com/food-shelter-love/my-shelter

About Ricardo:

Ricardo Tasca is the General Manager and Representative Director of Hill’s Colgate (Japan) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hill's Pet Nutrition and Colgate-Palmolive Company. He has held that position since January 1st, 2022.

Prior to that, Ricardo served for three years as the Marketing Director of Hill's Colgate (JAPAN) Ltd.

From 2016 to 2018, Ricardo served as Associate Director of the Global Marketing and Innovation Team for Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Ricardo joined Colgate Palmolive in his native Brazil in 2003 as Assistant Brand Manager. He progressed through positions in Marketing and Retail Marketing, becoming Group Brand Manager for Colgate Toothpaste in 2009.

In 2010, Ricardo moved to Colgate Palmolive Mexico, to lead the Latin America Innovation for Mouthwashes and Sensitive Toothpaste. In 2012, moved to Colgate Headquarters in New York as the Marketing Manager of the Global Toothbrushes business, leading global strategy & innovation for key segments of the category.

Ricardo holds a degree in Business administration from the FAAP University in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Connect with Ricardo:

Website: https://www.hillspet.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-tasca-11914418/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

https://www.weareams.com/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Summer Re-release #3 - Japan's Recruitment Challenges and Opportunities: An Interview with Roop Kaistha

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Roop Kaistha, the head of Asia Pacific at AMS, about the evolving landscape of talent acquisition in Asia, particularly in Japan. With nearly two decades of experience, Roop shares her career journey, insights on the challenges and opportunities in talent acquisition, and the importance of relationship-building in recruitment.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

The importance of being market ready for Asian markets particularly in communication method choices
The future of hybrid work vs in office only and the challenge of keeping engagement levels up
The role of technology and AI in recruitment and some of Roop’s favourite tools
The future trends in recruitment in Asia

Participate in our 2026 Salary Survey here: 2026 Salary Survey

About Roop:

Roop brings two decades of experience working across multiple markets, spending the last 15 years in Outsourcing and Talent Acquisition. She has a proven track record in the strategic management of large scale RPOs and MSPs across Asia Pacific. She has held various roles including Solution Design, Implementation, running the Innovation Centre for Asia Pacific and, most recently, as Regional Head of RPO and Professional Services.

Roop was appointed as Regional Managing Director of APAC in 2022. She heads the APAC leadership team, driving APAC’s growth strategy and business plan objectives. Roop ensures the firm continues to exceed the expectations of clients across Asia, and to deliver further growth in this vital region.

Connect with Roop:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/roopkaistha/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Summer Re-release #2 - Managing Global Operations with Scott Smalley from DSV Japan

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0900

During the month of July 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.

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 world
Scott’s advice on how to get started in sales and be effective
The challenges involved in managing a logistics company in Japan
How DSV Japan are achieving their sustainability goals
How leaders can create stronger future organizations

Participate in our 2026 Salary Survey here: 2026 Salary Survey

About 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/

Dale Carnegie Tokyo Website

“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.

Summer Re-release #1 - Leadership and Business Mastery in Japan, with Dr. Greg Story

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0900

Welcome back to the FocusCore podcast with host Dr. David Sweet. This week we are talking about leadership and business mastery with Dr. Greg Story, President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training Japan. Greg is an author of a suite of books focusing specifically on mastering various aspects of doing business in Japan. He also releases multiple podcasts weekly and is a certified master trainer in all of the major Dale Carnegie training courses. So join us for this enlightening conversation about leadership, communication and the unique dynamics of doing business in Japan.

In this episode you will hear:

How Greg started Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training Japan
Why on the job training is not working for Japanese companies anymore
About Greg’s books teaching mastery in business and leadership in Japan
The importance of middle management in retaining quality talent
How technology like AI is changing recruitment in Japan

Participate in our 2026 Salary Survey here: 2026 Salary Survey

Things mentioned in the episode:

Dr. Greg Story’s author page on Amazon

Dr. Greg Story’s podcast page on Apple Podcasts

About Dr. Greg Story:

A Ph.D. in Japanese organisational decision-making, and a 40 year veteran of Japan, he has broad experience, having been Country Head of four organisations in Japan.

He launched a “start up” in Nagoya, and completed “turn-arounds” in both Osaka and Tokyo for Austrade.

In 2001 he was promoted to Minister Commercial in the Australian Embassy and the Country Head for Austrade.

In November 2003, Dr. Story joined Shinsei’s Retail Bank, which interestingly was a special combination of “start-up” and “turn-around”. He had 550 staff in his Platinum Banking Division, responsible for two-thirds of the revenue of the Retail Bank, eventually becoming the Joint CEO of the Retail Bank.

In July 2007, Dr. Story became the Country Head for the National Australia Bank in Japan.

In October 2010, he became President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training Japan. He is a Master Trainer and an international award winning Sales Leader with Dale Carnegie. He is a thought leader and has written eight books: Japan Sales Mastery, Za Eigyo (The 営業), Japan Business Mastery, Japan Presentations Mastery, Anata mo Purezen Tatsujin (あなたもプレゼンの達人), Stop Wasting Money On Training, Toreningu de Okane Wo Muda Ni Suru No Wa Yamemashoo (トレニングでお金を無駄にするのわやめましょう) and Japan Leadership Mastery.

He is an Adjunct Professor in the International Business Faculty of Griffith University. A 6th Dan in traditional Shitoryu Karate, he applies martial art philosophies and strategies to business issues.

Connect with Dr. Greg Story:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregstory/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/coryadventurepartner/?hl=en

“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.

Exploring Coaching and Leadership with Cory McGowan

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Cory McGowan, Japan's coach for adventurous leaders, during his second appearance on the show. The conversation covers Cory's expertise in leadership coaching, navigating complex business problems, and the unique integration of outdoor activities in his coaching practice. Cory shares his journey from teaching and recruiting to becoming a director at KidZania Tokyo, running an outdoor adventure company, and ultimately founding his own coaching practice. They discuss the importance of collaboration, experimentation, and being at the development edge in leadership. Additional topics include the challenges and nuances of selecting a coach, the impact of retreats on team dynamics, and the entrepreneurial aspects of running a coaching business.

In this episode you will hear:

The Concept of Adventure Mondays
The Role of Nature in Coaching
Selecting the Right Coach
Coaching in Japan vs. Overseas
The Role of a Coach

Participate in our 2026 Salary Survey here: 2026 Salary Survey

About Cory:

Cory's the Japan's coach for adventurous leaders. He works with executives and leadership teams navigating transition, cultural complexities and bold visions based in the mountains of Japan.

Cory combines deep coaching expertise with a spirit of exploration, whether he is guiding leaders through strategic crossroads, facilitating team transformations or leading motorcycle tours through the mountains of Minakami. Through his company Adventure Partner, he invites leaders to step beyond comfort and into growth.

Starting with a wilderness retreat and continuing through a year of transformative coaching. Cory's clients span industries and cultures, but share a common thread. They're ready to lead with more clarity, courage, and connection.

Connect with Cory:

Website: https://www.adventure-partner.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-mcgowan-328b2b5/?originalSubdomain=jp

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Balancing Performance and Wellness with Menya Hinga

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode you will hear:

Menya’s journey into Health and Fitness
Importance of the Big Four: Food, Fitness, Sleep, and Stress
Why sleep and nutrition are often neglected by busy professionals
The role of stress management in achieving overall well-being
Impacting Lives Through Fitness

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

About Menya:

Connect with Menya:

Website: https://www.menyahinga.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menyahinga/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Leadership in the Heart of Japan: An Interview with Loïc Pecondon-Lacroix

Thu, 15 May 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the Focus podcast, host David Sweet interviews Loïc Pecondon-Lacroix, an accomplished finance-driven leader with experience in B2B industries across China, Japan, and Germany. Loïc, currently the President and Representative director of a ABB group in Tokyo, Japan, shares his thoughts on leadership, business transformation, and the cultural nuances of working in Japan. The discussion emphasizes the importance of patience, shared vision, and flexibility in driving organizational change. Loïc also touches upon digital transformation, ESG investments, managing up, and the future of leadership. Throughout the episode, Loïc's engaging personal motto and experiences highlight his commitment to learning, development, and effective team management.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Key strategies for leadership in cross-cultural contexts
Lessons in digital transformation and crisis management
The hidden impacts of ESG initiatives in the corporate world
How courage is pivotal in executing ambitious changes
Loïc’s unique motto and career philosophy

About Loïc:

Loïc is an accomplished finance-driven leader with extensive experience in industrial B2B business across China, Japan and Germany. A Frenchman in Tokyo, Japan, he recently joined the ABB group as President and Representative Director. Loïc’s career has developed with 3 core competencies: Strategy, Value Creation, and Governance. An apprentice leader, he is eager to continue to learn, develop and ensure knowledge is shared among teams and peers.

Known for his high energy, strong communication skills, and ability to lead and motivate teams, Loïc excels in crisis management, digital transformation, and key relationship building.

His motto: “I live and work in a tango of passion and reason, with the tenacious conviction and the discrete ambition to contribute.”

Connect with Loïc:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/loicpl/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Navigating Leadership Changes in Japan with Carlo La Porta

Thu, 01 May 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Carlo La Porta, Managing Director of Mpowered Sales about the challenges of disengagement in large Japanese firms. Carlo discusses his 35-year career in Japan, his book on generational management issues, and the importance of empowering employees. He shares insights on the evolution of Japanese business practices, the differences in management styles among generations, and the issue of low employee motivation. Carlo outlines his six-step delegation process and emphasizes the need for better communication and delegation to enhance team performance. He also highlights the plans for expanding MPowered's training programs to help improve leadership and productivity in Japanese SMEs.

In this episode you will hear:

The evolution of Japanese business practices
The key to successful delegation and leadership
Carlo's unique journey and what keeps him dedicated
The roots of motivation and how to nurture it in the workplace
How delegation can boost team performance and drive change
Carlo's approach to Mission Command and Servant Leadership

About Carlo La Porta:

Carlo La Porta is the Motivation Architect and Managing Director of Empowered Sales K.K. He has built his 35-year career around designing and delivering business solutions in Japan. Drawing on his experience in multinational, multilingual, and multicultural organizations, as well as fully Japanese environments fluent in both local and western business practices. He believes in empowering teams to perform at their best. This conviction led him to establish MPowered Sales K.K. dedicated to evaluating. Employee work life quality and productivity with a focus on Japanese SMEs.

Carlo has also written a book in Japanese focusing on people management issues in Japanese environments due to the generation gap. The book is entitled in Japanese, “The Reiwa Era Leadership Revolution” and uh, of course that can be found on Amazon and it's been very, uh, popular with male managers in their forties and fifties. Carlo has held roles at KPMG consulting, bearing point, low end down Masai, which is now aiming Japan and Thompson Financial Services. He's worked with such prestigious clients as IKK Brita, Ong, NTT Urban Develop. Bent, MHI and Luxottica among many others. He's a graduate of Tokyo University where he focused on international trade in Japanese.

He holds an N1 Japanese language certification, which means he speaks nipon, go very well, as well as a plethora of other languages, including English, Italian, French, German, and he's lived in Japan for three decades and calls it.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

Connect with Carlo La Porta:

Website: https://mpoweredsales.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlolaporta/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

AI and PR Tech Innovations: An Interview with Dan Nestle

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode, an award-winning strategic communications executive and tech leader, host of the Trending Communicator podcast, Dan, is highlighted for his expertise and influence in the field. He has been recognized on PR Week's Dashboard 25 and the Propel 100 list. With over two decades of corporate and agency experience, Dan specializes in corporate and brand communications, integrated marketing, content strategy, social media, and brand storytelling. His proficiency in emerging trends like generative AI helps organizations adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Born in New Jersey and having spent 16 years in Japan, he brings a global perspective and speaks Japanese, reflecting his adaptability and broad insight.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Dan’s insights on the pivotal role of AI in shaping modern communications
The challenges and opportunities for PR tech leaders in 2024 and beyond
How a global perspective enhances strategy and promotes innovation
Key trends in Comtech that every leader should watch

About Dan:

Dan is an award-winning strategic communications executive communications technology leader and host of another wonderful podcast, the Trending Communicator.

Dan's named two prs PR weeks Dashboard 25 in both 23 and 2024, and recognized on the Propel 100 list of the most influential PR tech leaders in the world for 2025. And he's at the forefront of AI and innovation and communications.

With over two decades of corporate and agency experience, Dan brings proven expertise in corporate and brand communications, integrated marketing, content strategy, social media, and brand storytelling. His deep understanding of emerging trends like generative AI and Comtech enables him to bridge the gap between strategy and innovation, helping organizations adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

He was born in New Jersey. Spent 16 years in the land of the rising Sun, and he speaks Japanese as well, which is a reflection of his adaptability and global perspective. And this curiosity and ability to connect ideas across disciplines drives his passion for empowering PR and marketing leaders to confidently embrace AI and unlock its full potential.

Connect with Dan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nestle/

be-inquisitive.com (Company)

trendingcommunicator.com

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/makoto-tosa-from-being-the-professional-athlete-to-the-world-of-sports-marketing/

The Generational Shift in Japanese Rugby: An Interview with Makoto Tosa

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the Focus Core Podcast, host Simon Jelfs interviews Makoto Tosa, a professional rugby player for NEC Green Rockets and Mitsubishi DynaBoars, and an Executive MBA student at the University of Cambridge. They discuss the fast-paced generational cycle in rugby, Tosa's career journey starting from junior high school in Japan to playing for Oxford and Cambridge University. Tosa shares insights on the differences and similarities between rugby cultures in Japan and the UK and his experiences balancing professional rugby, studies, and family life. They also explore Tosa's MBA project on Gen Z fan engagement strategies and his plans for a future career in sports business.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Tosa’s rugby journey
The differences and similarities between rugby cultures in Japan and the UK
Tosa's MBA project on Gen Z fan engagement strategies
The Generational Shifts in UK and Japanese rugby

About Tosa:

Tosa has played professional rugby for the NEC Green Rockets and the Mitsubishi DynaBoars, as well as being a coach. And he also has experience working as an international relations manager for Mitsubishi DynaBoars. He has extensive experience in brand development, international relations, and athlete advocacy. He is one of a very special club of rugby players to have played for Oxford and Cambridge University in the Varsity match, and he is currently pursuing an executive MBA at the University of Cambridge, which includes an MBA project covering Gen Z fan engagement.

Connect with Tosa:

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjelfs/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Startup Ecosystem and Corporate Innovation in Japan with Tim Romero

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the Focus Core podcast, we dive into the innovative world of Japanese startups and corporate innovation with Tim Romero, partner at JERA Ventures and host of the Disrupting Japan podcast. Tim shares insights from his 30-year journey in Japan's startup scene, discussing the evolving ecosystem, key changes in corporate collaboration, and the challenges and opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs and investors. He also reflects on his experiences as a rock musician, professional podcaster, and educator, offering valuable lessons on leadership, sustainability, and technology's role in Japan's future.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

Tim’s transformative experiences in the tech industry
The evolution of startup culture in Japan
The cultural challenges and opportunities in Japanese markets
Future trends in entrepreneurship and international collaboration

About Tim :

Tim Romero is a partner at JERA Ventures and is the very well known host of the successful podcast “Disrupting Japan”, which has been going for over 10 years.

Tim is deeply involved in Japan's startup community as an investor, a founder, author, and educator, and he has founded several startups in Japan over the past 30 years. Tim has also taught entrepreneurship and corporate innovation. He has led Google for Startups in Japan and worked with various enterprises in Japan for startup investment and innovation strategy.

Connect with Tim Romero:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timromero/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@disruptingjapan7899?si=k5T0GbmULUaAj8uQ

Website: https://www.disruptingjapan.com/ (Disrupting Japan)

https://www.jera.co.jp/en/corporate/business/ventures (Jera)

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

https://www.weareams.com/

Japan's Recruitment Challenges and Opportunities: An Interview with Roop Kaistha

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0900

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

The importance of being market ready for Asian markets particularly in communication method choices
The future of hybrid work vs in office only and the challenge of keeping engagement levels up
The role of technology and AI in recruitment and some of Roop’s favourite tools
The future trends in recruitment in Asia

About Roop:

Connect with Roop:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/roopkaistha/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Mindfulness and the Art of Corporate Wellness in Japan with Misha Yurchenko

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, Tokyo-based certified meditation teacher Misha Yurchenko discusses the importance of mindfulness, especially in corporate settings. With over a decade of experience, Misha shares his journey through burnout and how it led him to found Tokyo Mindfulness. The conversation covers how mindfulness can be integrated into daily life and corporate culture, the distinct roles of mindfulness and meditation, and practical advice for new leaders. This insightful discussion offers actionable steps for leaders and individuals seeking to enhance their well-being and productivity.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

How Misha overcame his severe burnout from his venture-funded startup
Why the Western concept of mindfulness is not so common in Japan
The importance of short, consistent mindfulness practices
Corporate examples such as the story of Rakuten’s successful implementation of mindfulness programs

About Misha:

Misha Yurchenko is a Tokyo-based certified meditation teacher with over a decade of meditation experience. He has attended retreats worldwide, practicing a range of techniques. After experiencing extreme burnout from his venture-funded startup, he retreated to the mountains for a month of meditation. He later founded Tokyo Mindfulness, dedicated to helping others break free from their limitations. Misha combines meditation, breathwork, and nervous system healing in a practical and integrated approach to assist people in letting go of the ego, releasing old habit patterns, and finding inner freedom. He is the author of several books, writes a weekly Substack, and lives in Nerima with his family.

Connect with Misha :

Website: https://tokyomindfulness.com/

Events & Retreats: https://www.meetup.com/pro/conscious-living-japan/

Community & Newsletter: https://tokyomindfulness.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyomindfulnessjapan/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Dale Carnegie Tokyo Website

Leadership and Business Mastery in Japan, with Dr. Greg Story

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0900

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

How Greg started Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training Japan
Why on the job training is not working for Japanese companies anymore
About Greg’s books teaching mastery in business and leadership in Japan
The importance of middle management in retaining quality talent
How technology like AI is changing recruitment in Japan

Things mentioned in the episode:

Dr. Greg Story’s author page on Amazon

Dr. Greg Story’s podcast page on Apple Podcasts

About Dr. Greg Story:

A Ph.D. in Japanese organisational decision-making, and a 40 year veteran of Japan, he has broad experience, having been Country Head of four organisations in Japan.

He launched a “start up” in Nagoya, and completed “turn-arounds” in both Osaka and Tokyo for Austrade.

In 2001 he was promoted to Minister Commercial in the Australian Embassy and the Country Head for Austrade.

In July 2007, Dr. Story became the Country Head for the National Australia Bank in Japan.

Connect with Dr. Greg Story:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregstory/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

The Nuances of Effective Marketing in Japan, with Ricardo Tasca

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0900

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here:

Welcome to the first episode of 2025 for the FocusCore podcast!

This week we are joined by yet another amazing guest at the forefront of marketing and business leadership in Japan, Ricardo Tasca. Ricardo is currently the General Manager and Representative Director of Hill’s Colgate (Japan). Ricardo has years of experience leading marketing innovation and success in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and New York. In this episode Ricardo shares some unique experiences of being a leader in the pet care industry in Japan, as well as discussing global trends and innovations in marketing and brand management happening now and in the future.

In this episode you will hear:

What makes the Japan market unique
What Ricardo sees as emerging trends in the Japanese consumer market
How the pet care industry is evolving in Japan and globally
The importance of sustainability to Hill’s Pet Nutrition Japan
How investing in R&D helps brands innovate and be competitive in the market

Things mentioned in the episode:

Hill’s Food, Shelter, & Love Program: https://www.hillspet.com/food-shelter-love/my-shelter

About Ricardo:

Prior to that, Ricardo served for three years as the Marketing Director of Hill's Colgate (JAPAN) Ltd.

From 2016 to 2018, Ricardo served as Associate Director of the Global Marketing and Innovation Team for Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Ricardo holds a degree in Business administration from the FAAP University in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Connect with Ricardo:

Website: https://www.hillspet.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-tasca-11914418/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

https://e5-movement.com/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E

Developing Successful Leaders in Japan, with Paul Dupuis

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0900

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

On this episode of the FocusCore podcast we are joined by global leadership expert Paul Dupuis. Paul has over 25 years of professional experience in multiple countries across Asia including Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and India. He is also the founder and CEO of Take-5 Global K.K., a consultancy firm focused on coaching, business advisory, leadership development and M&A in Japan and India. Paul joins us to share some of his insights into being a great leader in Japan and globally, as well as how to grow and develop successful leaders in your company.

In this episode you will hear:

What foreign companies admire about Japanese business culture
Universal tenets of good leadership
How to succeed as a business leader in Japan
The importance of listening more than you speak
How trust helps empower and enable people to be great leaders
Paul’s 5 E’s of leadership from his book; The E5 Movement

Things mentioned in the episode:

Paul’s book; The E5 Movement: https://e5-movement.com/

The Japanese version; The 5 Golden Rules of Leadership:

Hockey Foundation Website: https://hockeyfoundation.org/

About Paul Dupuis:

Paul Dupuis is the founder and CEO of Take-5 Global K.K., a consultancy firm focused on coaching, business advisory, leadership development and M&A in Japan and India.

Paul has over 25 years of professional experience in multiple countries across Asia including Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and India. Prior to founding Take-5 Global K.K., Paul was CEO & Chairman of Randstad Japan (2021-2023) where he led one of the largest operating companies for Randstad globally to achieve exceptional revenue growth and record profitability. During his tenure as MD and CEO of Randstad India (2017-2021), he led the turnaround of the company to become the leader in the Indian market. Paul was recognized by Great Place to Work® Institute (India) as one of India’s Best Leaders in Times of Crisis 2021. From 2011-2013 he was based in Singapore as Head of Asia for en-japan (TSE 4849.t).

A recognized thought leader, Paul frequently appears in media, and is a guest speaker at MBA schools and professional associations across Asia on topics related to Japan & India, with a focus on transformational leadership, high performance, team building, strategy and organizational development. He is a member of the MBA Faculty at GLOBIS University Graduate School. He is a non-executive Board Member of T.Hasegawa, a publicly listed company (TSE 4958). Paul is a member of the Board of Directors of HOPE International Sustainable Development Agency (JP), focusing on clean water projects and microcredit programs in Cambodia, Sudan and the Philippines, with a mission to help the neglected poor become self-reliant.

Paul is fully bilingual in English and Japanese. He published his first book on leadership, The E5 Movement in June 2020. In 2023, the best-selling Japanese version was published: The 5 Golden Rules of Leadership.

Paul is an active member of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai), and is the Vice-chairman of the marketing committee of the Japan Ice Hockey Federation. He is a passionate ice hockey player and volunteers every winter as a coach and supporter of ice hockey in the remote part of the Himalayas in Northern India. He is a Guinness World Record holder, as the organizer of an ice hockey game at the highest elevation ever, on a frozen lake in Ladakh in the Himalayas of northern India (4,361m above sea level).

Connect with Paul Dupuis:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldupuis/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Japan Talent Trends 2025 Revealed!

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0900

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here:2025 Salary Guide

This week on the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet is joined by Simon Jelfs, Managing Director of FocusCore Japan. In the episode David and Simon discuss the biggest talent trends that will impact Japan’s recruitment landscape in 2025. These trends include things like new technologies and work structures impacting business in general, as well as the future of HR and recruitment specifically. This conversation is essential listening for companies looking to adapt and be competitive in Japan’s ever evolving market in the new year!

In this episode you will hear:

The real challenges and opportunities of AI in recruitment
Why cybersecurity, data analytics, and adaptability are more essential than ever
How HR is driving growth through upskilling, reskilling, and strategic planning
The importance of a strong Employee Value Proposition when attracting talent
The future of flexible work models in Japan

About 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.

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjelfs/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Pushing the Boundaries of Biotechnology with Arjuna Kumarasuriyar from Illumina

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0900

The latest Focus Core Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

Welcome to the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast. In this episode we are talking about the field of Genomics and how the applied genomics technology company, Illumina is pushing the boundaries of genomic biotechnology for research and in applied medicine. Our guest is General Manager and Representative Director of Illumina KK, Arjuna Kumarasuriyar. Arjuna has commercial experience in sales, marketing, channel management and commercial operations, as well as an academic background in biotechnology and molecular biology. In the episode we dive deep into what genomics is and how it is evolving, as well as hearing some of Arjuna’s insights into Japan’s unique business landscape.

In this episode you will hear:

What the term genomics means and how it differs from genetics
What made Arjuna change his study from medicine to biotechnology
About Illumina’s work in biotechnology
How the technology Illumina is developing is fundamentally changing healthcare around the world
What Arjuna has learnt about doing business in Japan
How AI technology might impact genomics

About Arjuna Kumarasuriyar:

Arjuna Kumarasuriyar has Commercial experience in sales, marketing, channel management and Commercial Operations in the life sciences sector. The majority of Arjuna’s career has been in genomics with Illumina covering business across the Asia Pacific region. The first eight years of his career at Illumina were in sales, marketing and sales management roles. The next eight years he established and grew a commercial operations function to support the rapidly expanding commercial team in Asia through analytics, processes, technology, training and back office functions.

Arjuna has been General Manager and Representative Director of Illumina KK since January 2023. He is passionate about finding ways for teams to perform at their best whether it is shaping organizational structures and culture or getting into the operational enablement to enable efficient and effective customer value creation.

Arjuna has a Bachelors in Biotechnology and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Queensland, Australia. He joined Illumina in 2007 after working in R&D, quality assurance, and technology transfer roles for several biotech companies and government agencies in Singapore and Australia.

Connect with Arjuna Kumarasuriyar:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunakumarasuriyar/

X: https://x.com/ArjunaK

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Bringing Big Retail Food Brands to Japan, with Paul Kraft

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 05:00:00 +0900

The latest Focus Core Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

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 Japan
How the Japanese grocery market differs from other countries
How Paul, and JapanIQ, has helped foreign companies avoid common pitfalls of doing business in Japan
The leadership qualities Paul looks for when hiring in Japan
Insights into Japanese consumer behavior now and in the future

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

How Media & Marketing are Evolving in Japan, with John Flanagan

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:30:00 +0900

The latest Focus Core Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

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 Japan
The importance of understanding your target market
How the media industry is currently evolving
The importance of good storytelling when it comes to marketing
Some of the challenges facing streaming services in Japan and globally

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Creating Thriving & Inclusive Organizational Cultures, with Sanae Endo

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 HR
How to have more inclusive communication as a leader
The challenges of implementing DEI initiatives in multinational companies
How you can drive change within your organization
The impact of AI on HR, now and in the future

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Strategic Leadership for Business Growth with Timothy Connor from Synnovate

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 marketing
Timothy’s approach to identifying essential customer experience touch points
What a social listening exercise is and how it can help your company
Why last impressions can be more important than first impressions
About strategic leadership and the five leadership archetypes
The different skill sets required for each of the leadership archetypes

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Managing Global Operations with Scott Smalley from DSV Japan

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 world
Scott’s advice on how to get started in sales and be effective
The challenges involved in managing a logistics company in Japan
How DSV Japan are achieving their sustainability goals
How leaders can create stronger future organizations

About Scott Smalley:

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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Summer Re-release #4 - Turning the Tables and Interviewing Dr. David Sweet, with guest host Simon Jelfs

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 marathon
How David manages to stay so proactive and motivated in business and life in general
How international business leaders view the Japanese market
David’s advice to APAC leaders looking to improve recruitment performance in Japan
About the ageless leadership skills that stand the test of time

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Summer Re-release #3 - Demystifying Corporate Boards in Japan, with Catherine O’Connell

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 Japan
What motivated Catherine to set up Catherine O’Connell Law, her own law firm in Tokyo
About the lack of diversity in terms of board governance in Japan
What Japanese companies can do now to diversify their boards
What women leaders can do to open boardroom doors for themselves and others

Things 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: www.catherineoconnelllaw.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lawyeronair/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Summer Re-release #2 - Fearless Innovation as a Business Leader in Japan, with Hideo Goto

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 Japan
How to be innovative in a traditionally risk averse country
Strategies Hideo employs to attract talent in a challenging market
Some of the most important lessons Hideo has learned from his decades of successful and innovative business leadership

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Summer Re-release #1 - Listening to the Market with Ashley Harvey

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 Ashley
Advice for business leaders looking to expand their reach in Japan
The importance of having a strong employee acquisition strategy
How flexibility and nimbleness as a leader helps weather unforeseen challenges, like COVID
The importance of creating an environment where open and honest communication can thrive

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Empowering Japanese Teams, with Marie & Sandrine from Lemon Boost

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 transformation
What Verbal Aikido is and how to employ it at work
How to avoid taking on too much at work
Some common misconceptions around change management
Building a resilient mindset and a resilient organization

About 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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

https://sasugacommunications.com/131

Make More Impact with Less Effort, with Helen Iwata

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 speaking
Helen’s experiences of burnout and early warning signs you can look out for
How understanding your hormone cycle can help your workplace performance
About the Less Effort More Impact movement and how to join the community
About Helen’s Women’s Success Essentials program

Things mentioned in the episode:

The Sasuga! Podcast episode on Love Languages:

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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Establishing a New Business Entity in Japan as a Foreigner, with Jan Babatz

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 Japan
The importance of speaking Japanese in Japan as a foreign business leader
How Japan differs from other countries when it comes to work culture
Jan’s advice to global business leaders in Japan
About Jan’s love of music and his current passion for playing the ukulele

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Demystifying Japan's Recruitment Landscape, with David Chong

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 team
Why Japan's recruitment landscape can be a mystery to international recruiters
Advice for hiring top talent in Japan and Singapore
The importance of trust and communication when recruiting
Common pitfalls for those pursuing a career in Talent Acquisition
Keys to building a great team

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Making Sustainable Change a Reality for Japanese Corporates with Heather Prosser

Wed, 15 May 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 sustainability
How business leaders can institute formal sustainable change within their companies
What smaller sustainable actions employees can take in their workplace
Where you can go to find out more about sustainability
What Heather has learned about doing business in Japan

About 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: h.prosser@morrowsodali.com

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

FocusCore podcast episode on Topgrading

Improving Your Recruitment Pipeline & Processes, with Tyson Batino

Wed, 01 May 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 candidates
How companies can use a well designed interview process to improve employer branding
How a bigger applicant pipeline can help improve recruitment outcomes
Tips for leaders on how they can help improve recruitment processes

Things mentioned in the episode:

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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Fearless Innovation as a Business Leader in Japan, with Hideo Goto

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 Japan
How to be innovative in a traditionally risk averse country
Strategies Hideo employs to attract talent in a challenging market
Some of the most important lessons Hideo has learned from his decades of successful and innovative business leadership

About Hideo Goto:

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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Turning the Tables and Interviewing Dr. David Sweet, with guest host Simon Jelfs

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 marathon
How David manages to stay so proactive and motivated in business and life in general
How international business leaders view the Japanese market
David’s advice to APAC leaders looking to improve recruitment performance in Japan
About the ageless leadership skills that stand the test of time

About 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:

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjelfs

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Innovation & Leadership in the Automotive Industry, with Magnus Hansson

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 styles
About exciting innovations within the automotive industry
Some of the big challenges facing automotive companies today
About recruitment strategies being utilized by Jaguar Land Rover Japan
How Jaguar Land Rover Japan is pursuing diversity as a company
Magnus’ insights into being a business leader in Japan

About 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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Data Sovereignty & Social Media Disruption with Steve Pang

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 space
About Steve’s social network disruptor ZAG Network and how it is disrupting the social media landscape
What data sovereignty is and why it is important
How ZAG Network empowers users to monetize their own data
The different ways Web3 technologies are being utilized in recruitment

Things 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 : https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevexzag/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/ZAGNetwork @zagnetwork

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Demystifying Corporate Boards in Japan with Catherine O’Connell

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0900

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 Japan
What motivated Catherine to set up Catherine O’Connell Law, her own law firm in Tokyo
About the lack of diversity in terms of board governance in Japan
What Japanese companies can do now to diversify their boards
What women leaders can do to open boardroom doors for themselves and others

Things mentioned in the episode:

About Catherine O’Connell:

Connect with Catherine O’Connell:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Website: www.catherineoconnelllaw.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lawyeronair/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Listening to the Market with Ashley Harvey

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0900

Welcome back to the FocusCore podcast. We are excited to bring you another year of insightful and inspirational guests, as well as timely and topical solo episodes. This week we have our first guest of 2024, 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 Ashley
Advice for business leaders looking to expand their reach in Japan
The importance of having a strong employee acquisition strategy
How flexibility and nimbleness as a leader helps weather unforeseen challenges, like COVID
The importance of creating an environment where open and honest communication can thrive

About Ashley Harvey:

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.

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/

“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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

FocusCore New Year Reflections and Predictions

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0900

Welcome to the Year of the Dragon, and to another episode of the FocusCore podcast. In this first episode of 2024, David Sweet reflects on the last year for FocusCore. He discusses some highlights and some insights into what the organization has seen happen over 2023. David also predicts what he thinks might happen in 2024 in the recruitment and talent acquisition landscape in Japan.

In this episode you will hear:

About our FOCUS search methodology for APAC leaders seeking top tier talent in the Japanese market
How more companies are wanting employees to go back to working in the office, and how that might conflict with employees preferences for hybrid work models
About an increased focus on diversity and inclusion in Japan
Why employer branding will be increasingly important in 2024
More of David’s predictions for 2024!

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

"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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

RECAST: How to hire A-player candidates using the Topgrading interview methodology

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0900

This week we revisit an episode of the podcast that originally aired on March 15th 2022.

Do you want a better way to hire employees that will save you time, money and ensure you are hiring the best candidate to join your team? In the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast, host Dr. David Sweet takes you through a proven and tested hiring method and shares a simple five-step strategy to hire the A-player candidate.

Introducing you to Topgrading, a recruitment methodology proven effective by some of the best companies in the world including General Electric and Barclays.

In this episode you will hear:

• How to engage your HR and executives to hire A-Players

• How to document and create scorecards

• Learn the easy, time-saving technique for screening candidates

• Why are reference checks so important

• The simple process and the questions to ask

These five steps are the bare bones of creating a recruitment process for your organization that our clients say attracts and retains the top talent.

Utilizing topgrading as a method to hire talent is the best way to sort through B and C talent and find the A-grade candidate that you want to join your organization and will ultimately save you time, money, energy, and most importantly, save you from making a hiring mistake.

If you would like samples of a scorecard, please feel free to email me at david.sweet@focuscoregroup.com.

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

RECAST: Unlocking the keys to hiring the right HR Director in Japan

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0900

This week on the podcast we revisit an episode that originally aired on 15th March 2023.

Love or hate them, great Human Resources professionals are worth their weight in gold to organizations when you have the right person. Without them, businesses struggle to retain and attract top talent, navigate compliance and legal labor laws, and create an inclusive company culture. In Japan, hiring the right HR director is absolutely critical for successful businesses, not least because they need to understand the local landscape due to a unique market with its own cultural norms, its own values, and its own unique labor laws.

But what else do you need to consider when hiring HR leaders in Japan? David Sweet shares his top must-haves when hiring an HR director in Japan.

David covers:

Knowledge and deep understanding of Japanese Labour laws
Ability to foster positive stakeholder relations
Experience in recruitment and retaining talent
Established networks

If you need help with your recruitment needs in Japan, please get in touch with FocusCore Japan and we’ll be happy to assist. We specialize strongly in HR directors and other C- Suite recruitments, specifically around country managers, CFOs, supply chain directors, and marketing directors.

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50. https://music.cdavisshannon.com/album/fifty-50-2 Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

RECAST: Business in Japan 101 - for APAC and Global Business Leaders

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0900

This week we revisit an episode of the podcast about navigating the Japanese business landscape that aired on 26th May 2023.

Are you doing business in Japan, or would like to, and feel like you could use some guidance on how to maximize your time and effort?

If you are an APAC or global business leader, and looking to navigate the business landscape in Japan and build successful, long-term partnerships with Japanese companies, it's essential to approach business in Japan with a mindset of respect, cultural sensitivity, and a willingness to adapt to local customs and practices. In this episode I discuss ten factors that I’ve found incredibly important to keep in mind for APAC and global business leaders looking to do business in Japan.

In this episode you will hear:

About Japan’s unique culture and business practices
How important long-term business relationships are in Japan
The expectations placed on business leaders in Japan including strong work ethic, respect for hierarchy and seniority
About the importance Japanese companies place on consensus decision-making

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

RECAST: 5 Steps to Finding a Job with David Sweet

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0900

This week we revisit an episode that covers David’s top five steps he uses with his career coaching clients based on his decades of experience in the recruitment industry.

You might be thinking about your next career move if you have stumbled upon this episode. You know you need to craft your resume, apply for a few jobs on LinkedIn, and then you cross your fingers that your resume gets a look and you get an interview. And then you need to jump through hoops with multiple interviews. It’s a lot of work! Trust me when I say this, I have been there. Every career journey has ups and downs. I’ve been there too and it’s frustrating. And with over 25 years in the recruitment industry, I see the same frustration in the eyes of so many qualified professionals.

On this solo episode of the FocusCore podcast, I’m sharing the top five steps I use with my career coaching clients to successfully find a job.

In this episode I walk you through five simple steps that can help you land your next job:

Macro view - what’s your career vision?
Messaging - what is your WOW statement?
Searching for jobs - How to stand out from everyone else?
Preparing for interviews
Pulling it all together

So pull out your bento box, grab a pen and paper, and let's dive in!

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Employer Branding with Brad Corbet from Motionworks

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0900

We’ve talked about employer branding on the podcast before and today we go a bit more in depth, exploring employer branding with Brad Corbet from Motionworks. Motionworks is an employer branding and talent attraction consulting company that supports companies for building their brand to hire the best in the Japan market. In the episode, Brad shares with us some of his specialist knowledge of employer branding, talent attraction and recruitment content, and how Japanese companies can utilize these tools to find and hire the best candidates.

In this episode you will hear:

What employer branding is
About the current employer branding landscape in Japan
Brad’s tips for using social media to enhance employer branding
The importance of being genuine and transparent in your content
How employer branding can help companies with diversity and inclusion goals

About Motionworks:

Motionworks is an employer branding and talent attraction consulting company that supports companies in Japan to attract the best talent. They started up in 2019 with the mission to shift away from traditional forms of recruitment and focus on content (mostly video, podcasts and blogs) to help companies gain an edge in the candidate-centric market in Japan. Motionworks works with a range of companies for video content creation, strategic employer branding consulting and talent attraction.

About Brad:

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri and born and raised there. Brad attended college in Missouri for about 2 years, then was contacted by a US Navy recruiter to join the navy so he dropped out of college, joined the US Navy and got sent to Japan. That was in 1990. Brad has been here ever since and has had many jobs that finally led him to his current role as Managing Director of Motionworks.

Connect with Motionworks:

Website: https://motionworks.co.jp/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSxpEibw5TmRp3U8cFzcuQg

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

How to hire a Talent Acquisition Professional

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Welcome to another episode of the FocusCore podcast. Join David Sweet in this episode as he discusses how to hire a talent acquisition professional for your team. A lot of companies have brought the recruitment side in-house and are looking to hire talent acquisition professionals. However, it can be difficult for businesses within Japan to decide who is a good TA for the company and what exactly they should be looking for. Listen to the episode to learn more about hiring the right Talent Acquisition Professional for your company.

In this episode you will hear:

How to define what you're searching for in a TA for your specific company
About the importance of knowing what aspects of your company are attractive to potential TAs
David’s tips for how he approaches hiring in Japan
The importance of recruiter social media profile and presence, especially for LinkedIn

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Joris Berkhout & Felicien Dumas from JLL Japan

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Post COVID and employers are looking for ways to entice employees back to the office. In this episode my colleague William and I visited Jones Lang LaSalle's beautiful offices in Akasaka Mitsuke to sit down with Joris Berkhout and Felicien Dumas and talk about best practices for businesses as well as explore more into the Tokyo real estate market. We discuss the current trends in the market, especially in terms of stabilizing and recovering after COVID, and we learn about how JLL specifically encourages staff back to the office after working from home.

In this episode you will hear:

Common myths about the real estate industry
About the current trend of turning offices into social hubs to encourage home-working staff back to the office
Why businesses may want to have flexible working spaces like co-working spaces rather than traditional fixed office spaces
About how Tokyo’s commercial real estate market is stabilizing after COVID
How JLL is working towards creating a more sustainable environment in Tokyo’s real estate market

About Joris Berkhout:

Joris brings 10 years of real estate experience, including 5 years at Mitsui Fudosan, Japan’s largest developer/landlord. With a background and qualification as an architect he provides holistic support from layout analysis and masterplan development to negotiation strategy and transaction execution.

Joris speaks Japanese and has a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Awarded Young Leader of the Year 2017 Japan by CoreNet Global.

About Felicien Dumas:

Felicien joined JLL in 2023. He was previously a sales trader at a firm founded by ex Goldman Sachs traders. Before that he was a professional soccer player in the US. He is fluent in English, French and Japanese.

His track record includes advising multinational firms on their real estate requirements, including relocations, renewals and exit solutions.

Connect with Joris & Felicien:

JLL Website: https://www.joneslanglasalle.co.jp/

Joris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berkhoutjoris/

Joris email: Joris.Berkhout@jll.com

Felicien LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/f%C3%A9licien-dumas/

Felicien email: Felicien.Dumas@jll.com

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Hiring for Difficult Positions in Japan

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Are you about to start a hiring process for a difficult position in Japan?

In this episode of the podcast David Sweet discusses some important things to do when hiring for difficult positions in Japan. Listen to the episode to get some invaluable insights gleaned from David’s experience of recruitment in Japan and how it differs from other countries. Learn how your company can get the most out of your time and money spent on recruiting for difficult positions in the Japanese labor market.

In this episode you will hear:

Writing a compelling job description that doesn’t deter good candidates
Pros and Cons of including salaries on job descriptions
What employer branding is and how to do it
The importance of having a good clear interview process
Why and how you would want to use a recruitment partner for these searches

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50. https://music.cdavisshannon.com/album/fifty-50-2 Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

The Journey from Accountant to Business Partner in Japan article

RECAST: How to go from an Accountant to Business Partner with Jonathan Cant

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0900

David Sweet speaks to Jonathan Cant, Executive Consultant at FocusCore Japan on the steps needed to transition from an accountant to a trusted business partner at a Fortune 500 company.

In this episode you will hear:

What is finance business partnering?
How do to tell a story with numbers
What are the important benefits of business partnering for finance professionals?
What are the essential skills a finance professional needs to improve and grow beyond the numbers on a spreadsheet?
Why Business Partnering is in demand in Japan

Jonathan Cant Bio:

A leading member of the FocusCore team, Jonathan is a UK native who has been in Japan for just under 19 years. With around 15 years of leadership experience, he brings maturity and just the right amount of grey hair to the team. A father of two young boys, he spends most of his free time in the park or playing with Lego. He is also a fan of Newcastle United FC and enjoys photography and cooking.

Connect with Jonathan:

Website

Twitter

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Episode 12 - The challenges of managing local and regional stakeholders in Japan with Jonathan Cant

LinkedIn poll survey

Connect with David Sweet:

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50.

Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

RECAST: Why leading up is critical to your career success

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:00:00 +0900

David Sweet, CEO, and Founder of FocusCore Japan discusses the single most critical skill a manager needs to succeed - how to lead up.

Leading up has many names in the English vocabulary; sucking up, brown-nosing, minion, and lackey. But what these terms don’t recognize is the importance and the skill it takes to manage upwards and the value it can add if you want to develop your career in management.

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

About David Sweet

David Sweet is the Founder and CEO of FocusCore Japan, based in Tokyo. FocusCore provides a broad range of services from executive to talent management and leadership consulting. His particular focus is on Human Resources.

Prior to establishing FocusCore Group, David was a Director with the Tokyo consultancy Wall Street Associates, leading operations, training, and recruitment in multiple sectors. He also worked for 10 years in the U.S. Treasury Department in labor relations and organizational development.

He is the author of six books, including "Sweet Sales", "Sweet Success", and "Recruit!". He is also a Certified Executive Coach. David earned a MA in Communications from Regis University and a Ph.D. in Leadership Development.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

RECAST: Diving into Diversity and Inclusion with Yuta Hasumi, Ikigai Authentic

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0900

With June and another Pride Month celebrated we're resharing an episode with Yuta Hasumi, Managing Director of Ikigai Authentic.

We dive into diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the workplace and discuss the key difference between Japanese and international organizations' approaches to diversity and inclusion.

When foreigners make up only 2% of the population of Japan, you would be forgiven for thinking that diversity and inclusion in the Japanese workplace just don't apply. Yuta has built a global career in D&I and is working with companies and organizations in Japan and the UK to change the way they think about diversity and inclusion.

In this episode:

How Japan is at a pivotal point to address gender inequality
Local challenges when it comes to diversity in a homogenous country
How people can develop a career in diversity and inclusion and get involved in their current workplaces
Why it just makes commercial sense to have diversity and inclusion policies
Yuta’s top advice for companies to attract and retain talent

Yuta Hasumi Bio:

With experience in the Asia Pacific region and global human resources and talent management for overseas firms, as well as overall responsibility for promoting diversity and inclusion in Japan and the South Korean region, Yuta now operates with two bases, one in Japan and the other in the UK. He provides management consulting that makes the most of diversity, advising businesses and other organizations in planning and execution of lectures and training, coaching for management, promoting women’s participation in the workplace, and work style reforms. Yuta holds an MBA from Waseda Business School.

Connect with Yuta Hasumi:

Website: https://www.ikigaiauthentic.com/en/home

Email: yuta.hasumi@ikigaiauthentic.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuta-hasumi/

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

FocusCore Webinars: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/webinars

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

linkedin.com/in/smartpartners

AI disruption: Navigating the future of recruitment with Jason De Luca, Smart Partners

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 05:00:00 +0900

In a world where Google Bard and Chat GPT can effortlessly craft resumes, generate job descriptions, and provide interview questions in minutes, the future of the recruitment industry seems uncertain. Host David Sweet engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Jason De Luca, Managing Director of Smart Partners KK, a recruitment consultancy firm. Together they explore the profound impact of AI on their sector.

While the fear of AI replacing human jobs looms, the question remains: Can ChatGPT ever replicate human relationships completely? Especially in Japan, a culture deeply rooted in building connections, will AI be embraced with open arms, or will traditional work styles prevail?

In this conversation, we cover:

How we should prepare for AI disruption
Valuable insights from the realm of Star Trek
Their predictions for the future of recruitment with AI
Why cultivating analog skills is needed
The imperative need to understand AI and harness its potential for futureproofing careers

Join us as we navigate the intricate landscape where AI and human interactions converge, finding a balance between efficiency and human connections in the ever-evolving world of recruitment.

Jason De Luca Bio:

Jason de Luca has over 20 years of experience living in Japan. He earned BA units from Waseda University and an MA degree from Waseda University Graduate School. He worked as a translator for a large Japanese bank and then for several years in the IT staffing industry in both an established firm before then leading the revenue growth of a successful start-up.

He now helps clients to achieve higher revenues, better profitability, less stress, less overtime, and more transparent, easier-to-understand business processes as the Managing Director of Smart Partners KK, a recruitment consultancy. They specialise in Japanese small and mid-sized businesses and large multinational firms. He’s also a children’s book author and board game maker.

Connect with Jason De Luca:

Website: http://www.smartpartners.co.jp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smart-partners-kk/

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Mikey The Lonely Bigfoot

The Knight Who Loved Dragons

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/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Driving sustainability and innovation at tesa tape with Thomas Gassner

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Welcome to the latest episode of the FocusCore Japan podcast! In this captivating discussion, David sits down with Thomas Gassner, the General Manager of tesa tape KK Japan and Head of Automotive Asia Pacific. Currently based in Tokyo, Thomas joined tesa in his native Germany straight after completing his engineering degree at university and has been with tesa for over 25 years working in Germany, China, Moscow, Belgium, and now Japan.

Thomas offers valuable insights into his extensive career within a single company, shedding light on the intricacies of working in Japan and the conversation takes a deep dive into tesa’s sustainability strategy, explores how organisations can embrace environmental responsibility, how Japan compares on the sustainability index, and shares how sustainability is crucial for innovation.

Thomas Gassner Bio:

Thomas Gassner is the General Manager of tesa tape in Japan and Head of Automotive Asia Pacific. Thomas is an exceptional individual who has demonstrated remarkable expertise and leadership in sales, marketing, and general management. With a career spanning over 25 years at tesa, he made significant contributions to the company around the globe, including Germany, Belgium, china, Japan, and Russia. His relentless drive for excellence, coupled with a profound knowledge of the automotive industry and industrial market segments, has propelled him to spearhead teams and achieve outstanding results. Thomas holds a Master of Engineering from RWTH Aachen University.

Connect with Thomas:

Website: https://www.tesa.com/en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-gassner-72a6477/

About tesa

As a multinational company, tesa develops innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive system solutions for various industries, commercial customers, and end consumers. The age of technical adhesive tapes began 125 years ago – in Hamburg (Germany). Currently, there are already more than 7000 tesa adhesive solutions that help improve the work, products or lives of our customers. Today, the focus is on sustainability and energy-saving processes. tesa invests in the development of environmentally friendly products and solvent-free manufacture processes as well as in the use of renewable energy sources at its locations.

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/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

YouTube: Just a Ruby Dad in Japan

Exploring the latest recruitment trends in Japan, with Simon Jelfs

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Simon Jelfs, Managing Director at FocusCore Japan is back on the podcast sharing the latest trends, hot topics, and challenges that the recruitment industry and companies hiring in Japan are seeing in 2023.

And Simon and David discuss everyone's favourite AI - Chat GPT and whether it's going to be the saviour or the killer of the recruitment sector.

In this episode, you will hear:

The challenges the tech industry has been experiencing in Japan
Why the decreasing value of the Yen is great for the local manufacturing sector
The struggle to attract quality candidates in Japan
Does Chat GPT mean recruiters' jobs are at risk?
What are the new roles likely to come up thanks to AI?

Simon Jelfs Bio:

Simon is from the UK and has 20 years of accounting and finance recruitment as a specialised recruitment leader in Japan since he started in 2000. As Managing Director at FocusCore Japan, he provides bilingual accounting and finance professionals to client companies in Japan and oversees daily operations.

In his spare time, he’s a coach for junior rugby teams and can be found documenting his love of rugby on his YouTube channel Just a Rugby Dad in Japan.

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

Twitter

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Episode 21 - Will the Great Resignation hit Japan? A conversation with Simon Jelfs

Connect with David Sweet:

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Business in Japan 101 - for APAC and Global Business Leaders

Mon, 15 May 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Are you doing business in Japan, or would like to, and feel like you could use some guidance on how to maximize your time and effort?

In this episode you will hear:

About Japan’s unique culture and business practices
How important long-term business relationships are in Japan
The expectations placed on business leaders in Japan including strong work ethic, respect for hierarchy and seniority
About the importance Japanese companies place on consensus decision-making

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

The art of negotiation with Eelco Modderman, The Gap Partnership

Mon, 01 May 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Eelco Modderman, a Dutchman, has spent the last 15 years living in Asia and considers himself a bridge between East and West. It's no surprise that he is now as the Managing Partner, Asia Pacific for The Gap Partnership, a company specialising in negotiation training. He started his journey with The Gap Partnership in 2017 in Hong Kong before relocating with his family to Tokyo last year to expand the reach The Gap Partnership’s reach.

The Gap Partnership works with clients to become better, more confident, and more successful negotiators, with customisable training programs and consultancy services. Clients included front-line workers to top-level executives.

In this episode you will hear:

What is negotiation and how can you apply the negotiation framework
The importance of negotiating successfully
How do you build up a relationship before you start a transaction?
How does Japan’s decision-making process influence the way you negotiate

Eelco Modderman Bio:

Eelco joined The Gap Partnership in 2017. Initially based in Hong Kong, he now heads up the Asia Pacific region from our office in Tokyo. As a Dutchman living in Asia for over fifteen years, Eelco brings together the best of East and West. With a background in big data analytics, he is passionate about sustainability, delivering impact for clients, and the personal growth of his team.

Outside of work, Eelco is an avid swimmer and in many other activities on and below the water. He lives with his wife and two children, who share his love for adventure, exploring new places and cultures.

Connect with Eelco:

Website: https://www.thegappartnership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eelcomodderman/?originalSubdomain=hk

Email: eelco.modderman@thegappartnership.com

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

The Negotiation Book: Your definitive guide to successful negotiating by Steve Gates

The Culture Map by Erin Myer

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown" used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Pivoting your way to a fulfilling career with Hiroki Kosugi, TransPerfect

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Finding his perfect career was no easy feat for this podcast guest. He is an inspiration and a great example of how pivoting can lead you to where you are meant to be. Hiroki Kosugi shares how he grew up in Sapporo, was recruited to a Shizuoka soccer club, became a salaryman and burned out, backpacked around the world and learned English in New Zealand, studied a Sports Business Management degree and an MBA in the USA, and found himself back in Japan wondering where to next?

Hiroki joined TransPerfect, a global language service and technology solutions provider in 2010 and has built a successful career in this international company. He is currently Japan’s Director of Business Development.

In this episode you will hear:

Hiroki’s advice on building a career you love and taking chances
What it was like to be the only male in a female-only office in Japan when he first joined
The challenge of finding good salespeople
Localising products and services to the Japanese market
The importance of networking in Japan

Connect with Hiroki Kosugi:

Website: https://www.transperfect.com/ja/home

LinkedIn TransPerfect: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transperfect-japan

LinkedIn Hiroki Kosugi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiroki-kosugi-61b91091/

Connect with David Sweet:

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Exploring Retail Transformation and Tech Trends in Japan with Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard, SES-imagotag

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard is the APAC Manager for SES-imagotag, the world leader in smart digital labels and retail IoT solutions for physical retail. He’s had a long love affair with Japan, first visiting in 2002 when he learned Japanese.! He also loves martial arts and has trained in Kendo, the Japanese art of cutting.

Pascal shares his insights on the digital technology space and how retail is changing in Japan, drawing from his extensive experience working in the country as well as his international experience working across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

In this episode you will hear:

What the retail landscape looks like globally and how is technology changing the retail shopping experience in Japan
Why Japan is lagging in retail technology compared to Europe and the role Covid has played
Why the fax machine is still being used in Japan and will it ever be retired?
How Japanese customers are driving change in the retail environment
The challenges of bridging the cultural gap in Japan when working for a foreign company and building a strong team

About Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard:

Pascal is the Manager of APAC AT SES-imagotag, the world leader in smart digital labels and Retail IoT solutions for physical retail.

He consults also for the retail Industry and is currently advisor for bakery group Gontran Cherrier.

Prior to joining SES-imagotag, Pascal was Asia Director for Bio c’ Bon, one of the largest European organic retail chains. Based in Japan, he was in charge of the development of the local operation in partnership with Japan's largest retailer, AEON group, opening 27 stores within four years in Japan and becoming the leading player on the market.

Before Bio c’ Bon, Pascal was based in Shanghai where he co-founded and developed UPYA, a boutique commodity trading group dealing and investing in hard and soft commodities between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Previously he was in Japan where he launched and managed the Asian entity of DIAM International, the worldwide leader of POP displays for the luxury industry.

He started his career in the industrial sector, holding several positions within AREVA and Arjowiggins group, with a focus on M&A and strategic development in Asia.

Pascal holds three master degrees from Ecole polytechnique, Ecole des Mines de Paris and Sciences Po in France. He is fluent in Japanese, Chinese, English, and French.

He is President of Ecole polytechnique Alumni Asia chapter, Trade Advisor for the French Government, and a Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan.

Connect with Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard:

Website: https://www.ses-imagotag.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalgerbertgaillard/

Connect with David Sweet:

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Unlocking the keys to hiring the right HR Director in Japan with David Sweet

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Love or hate them, great Human Resources professionals are worth their weight in gold to organisations when you have the right person. Without them, businesses struggle to retain and attract top talent, navigate compliance and legal labour laws, and create an inclusive company culture. In Japan, hiring the right HR director is absolutely critical for successful businesses, not least because they need to understand the local landscape due to a unique market with its own cultural norms, its own values, and its own unique labour laws.

But what else do you need to consider when hiring HR leaders in Japan? David Sweet shares his top must-haves and why - when hiring an HR director in Japan.

David covers:

Knowledge and deep understanding of Japanese Labour laws
Ability to foster positive stakeholder relations
Experience in recruitment and retaining talent
Established networks

Connect with David Sweet:

David Sweet Bio:

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

FocusCore Podcast episode 2 with Corey McGowan

Will the Great Resignation hit Japan? A conversation with Simon Jelfs

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Simon Jelfs, Managing Director at FocusCore Japan, makes his debut on the podcast. Simon has trodden the path many who come to live in Japan have walked - as a JET teacher. Those early years as an English teacher set him up for a lifelong career as a teacher, coach, and recruitment consultant. He’s a keen runner, a former Morris Dancer, a rugby fan, and a YouTuber at Just a Rugby Dad in Japan.

In this episode David and Simon cover:

Important career lessons learned from 20 years of working in Japan
The Great Resignation - will it hit Japan?
How Covid-19 and working from home have changed the recruitment experience
Combining career and parenthood and the changing dynamics of Japanese workplaces
A shift in management style in Japan - is it here to stay?

And it would not be a FocusCore podcast if there wasn’t some chat about sport!

Simon Jelfs Bio:

Simon is from the UK and has 20 years of accounting and finance recruitment as a specialized recruitment leader in Japan. As Managing Director, he provides bilingual accounting and finance professionals to client companies in Japan.

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

Twitter

YouTube: Just a Ruby Dad in Japan

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Podcast Recommendations

High Performance Podcast

The Rest is History

Hidden Brain

‘The Great Resignation’ - The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan Journal

Morris Dancing

Institute of Management Accountants

Connect with David Sweet:

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

FocusCore Japan past webinars

Internal career development versus external career development featuring Hisato Wakaizumi

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Recruitment expert, Hisato Wakaizumi returns to the podcast in 2023 to chat with host David Sweet on:

Difference between Japanese and Western companies and how to make it work for you
Internal career development versus external career development and what you should consider before you look for a new role
The secret to delivering a successful webinar
How to beat the competition in a competitive job market
Important career lessons Hisato has learned in his recruitment career journey

Hisato Wakaizumi Bio:

Hisato is a new dad and was an executive search consultant at FocusCore Japan. With experience working in the United States and Japan, he is a trusted advisor to clients for his persistent tenacity and creative solutions to challenging hires in Japan. He is also an avid tennis player and has recently moved to do in-house recruitment at Mazars

Where to find Hisato Wakaizumi:

Website:

LinkedIn:

Email: hisato@focuscoregroup.com

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Episode 14 with Hisato Wakaizumi

Where to find David Sweet:

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

3 Sins of Hiring Executives in Japan and how to avoid them with David Sweet

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0900

David Sweet, CEO of FocusCore Japan talks about the three sins of hiring executives in Japan and the common mistakes he has seen over the last 25 years in Japan when hiring. And not one to just point out the problems, he’s also sharing how hiring managers can avoid them. This episode is a short and jam-packed listen with insights for anyone who is looking to hire in Japan or for APAC professionals working in Japan.

Connect with David Sweet:

David Sweet Bio

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Fundraising in Japan with Knights in White Lycra Co-Founder, Rob Williams

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0900

Rob Williams is a British financial planner based in Tokyo, and started AP Advisors Limited in 2004 to provide financial advice to expatriates. He Co-founded Knights in White Lycra with a few fellow British friends out of a desire to get fit and give back to the communities impacted by the March 2011 disaster. They began a fundraising bike ride in 2013 and have not looked back since.

Since then, Knights in White Lycra have expanded their fundraising efforts to support children in need in Japan and have raised over ¥114 million through various sporting activities including bike rides, walks around the Imperial Palace, golf days, Go-Go run challenge, and pub quiz nights.

In this episode you will hear:

How Knights in White Lycra was born in Tokyo in 2012 in a karaoke bar
Why they expanded from fundraising for 3/11 survivors to supporting children in care homes in Japan
How getting fit and giving back has inspired Rob’s philanthropic purpose
How Knights in White Lycra have pivoted during the Covid pandemic to continue fundraising for their causes when they couldn’t meet in person
The cultural differences in fundraising in Japan and Western countries

Rob Williams Bio:

Originally from the UK, Rob came to Japan in 1999 to continue his career in financial planning. In 2004 he set up an independent financial planning practice in Tokyo with two partners which continues to this day. AP Advisers Ltd provides bespoke financial planning services to the expatriate community in Japan. www.ap-advisers.com

Rob is married with two sons, 15 and 11. He enjoys playing golf and watching soccer, but his main passion is cycling which was the spur to create the Knights in White Lycra charity (KIWL) cycling group in 2012, shortly after the 3.11 tragedy. www.kiwl.net

Initially set up to raise funds for survivors, KIWL has morphed into a fundraising group focusing on supporting marginalized children living in institutional care. Through their chosen charity, the funds they raise provides them with educational and self-development opportunities in the classroom and in the outdoors. The skillsets they acquire better equips them for adult life and transforming them into happy and successful young adults.

In recognition of his community contribution, Rob was awarded ‘Person of the Year’ by the British Chamber of Commerce in 2015. In 2017, he received the Japan British Society award from HIH Princess Akiko.

Connect with Rob Williams:

Website: Knights in White Lycra https://www.kiwl.net/

AP Advisers Limited wwmw.ap-advisers.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-williams-723532/?originalSubdomain=jp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getfitandgiveback/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uotJ2yKU1IY

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Mirai no Mori - https://mirai-no-mori.jp

500KM Cycle Ride 1- 4 June, 2023 sign up - https://www.kiwl.net/events/500km-cycle-ride

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Why leading up is critical to your career success with David Sweet

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0900

David Sweet, CEO, and Founder of FocusCore Japan discusses the single most critical skill a manager needs to succeed - how to lead up. Leading up has many names in the English vocabulary; sucking up, brown-nosing, minion, and lackey. But what these terms don’t recognize is the importance and the skill it takes to manage upwards and the value it can add if you want to develop your career in management.

David share’s his top three guidelines to help you manage upwards’ and accelerate your career.

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

David Sweet Bio

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Episode 12 - The challenges of managing local and regional stakeholders in Japan with Jonathan Cant

Journey from Accountant to Business Partner with Jonathan Cant, Executive Consultant, FocusCore Japan

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Jonathan Cant, Executive Consultant at FocusCore Japan is back for round two on the podcast. This time, David and Jonathan chat about the steps needed to transition from an accountant inputting data to telling a story with those numbers and becoming a valued and trusted business partner at a Fortune 500 company.

In this episode you will hear:

What is finance business partnering?
What are the important benefits of business partnering for finance professionals?
What are the essential skills a finance professional needs to improve and grow beyond the numbers on a spreadsheet
Why Business Partnering is in demand in Japan
Learning valuable lessons and skills from mentors and the impact mentors have on your career

Jonathan Cant Bio:

Connect with Jonathan:

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/consultants/jonathan-cant?source=google.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathancant/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonathancant?lang=en-GB

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

LinkedIn poll survey

The Journey from Accountant to Business Partner in Japan article

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Best Practices in a Hybrid Workplace webinar

The art of storytelling in finance with Nina Michels-Kim, Institute of Management Accountants

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0900

The windy road to work in Japan has been a long one for today’s very special guest. Nina Michels-Kim is the Director of Partnerships, Korea and Japan for the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). She’s bilingual in Japanese and English, born in Japan having been raised by a Japanese mother and an American father, and received her college education in the United States. However, her dream was always to come back to work in Japan and so with that goal in sight, her extensive career in finance began which has led her from bookkeeper to working for two of Switzerland's biggest pharmaceuticals to starting her own business and now as the Partnerships Director of Korea and Japan for IMA.

Nina’s career path has not been linear but throughout, her passion for learning and continuous development in finance has brought her one step closer to Japan and the goal she set more than 25 years ago. As a member of the IMA, having developed the Swiss and European chapters, she’s now bringing the benefits of the IMA to Japan and aiding finance professionals to upskill, learn, develop and become the finance leaders of the future.

In this episode you will hear:

The IMA’s predicted six megatrends for the finance sector
Some of the challenges that financial professionals are facing and why upskilling is important
The value of the IMA and how it can help finance professionals to future-proof themselves and their careers
Why soft skills are just as important as hard skills and how the IMA supports this
What courses and resources are available through the IMA including how to tell a story with strategic insights and data

Nina Michels-Kim Bio:

I help finance professionals all over the world to enhance their skills, provide them with ethics guidance and thought leadership, become valued leaders in their organizations, and improve the world step by step!

Alongside my own business, Starling GmbH, I am also the Director of Partnerships Japan and Korea for IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants). IMA is one of the largest and most respected worldwide associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Its global reach includes over 140,000+ members of financial professionals in business in over 150 countries.

About the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

Established in 1919 (over 100 years ago), IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) is a global, non-profit professional association that administers the globally recognized U.S. CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certification program, which is celebrating its 50-year anniversary this year. IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members worldwide and more than 300 student and professional chapters. Its members are mostly accountants, financial professionals, and management accountants who work in business. IMA supports the CFO’s team by striving to be the leading resource for training, developing, certifying, connecting, and supporting them.

Connect with Nina Michels-Kim:

Website: https://www.imanet.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninamichelskim/?originalSubdomain=ch

Twitter: @NinaMichelsKim

Email: nmichelskim@imanet.org

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Six mega trends for accountants

Ambassador for Finance Professionals by Nina Michels-Kim

Special Omiyage for listeners

For those companies who are still unsure of committing to the IMA Finance Academy, we now have a three-month free trial opportunity! Individual clients of FocusCore can try out, become an IMA member for six months for free (an extra three months!), and use the IMA free resources. What is the best part is that using this six-month opportunity, you can sign up for the CMA Entrance program so get a six months savings/benefit to the standard IMA membership fee.

To access the link and take advantage of the Three Month Trial for FocusCore members please click here Three-Month Trial Membership (imaonlinestore.com)

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY/50. https://music.cdavisshannon.com/album/fifty-50-2

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/consultants/hisato-wakaizumi?source=google.com

What do tennis coaching and recruitment have in common? A chat with Hisato Wakaizumi

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Hisato Wakaizumi was born and bred in Tokyo, studied in the United States, worked as a tennis coach in Florida teaching young children to 95-year-old ladies, and now has a successful career as a Consultant at FocusCore Japan in Accounting and Finance. His unique international experience makes him the perfect person to answer the question - what do tennis coaching and recruitment have in common?

In this episode you will hear:

The importance of having the right mindset
Why the C-Suite in Japan isn’t people in their 20s and 30s and what does this mean for Japan’s growth
The value of networking to grow your career and simple ways to do it
The common misconceptions about being a recruiter including Hisato’s own!
The importance of soft skills and how they are becoming more valued
Hisato has been working with some of the top-level executives in Japan and he’s observed a few key things they do to succeed, which he’s sharing with host, David Sweet.

Hisato Bio:

Hisato is a new dad and an executive search consultant at FocusCore Japan. With experience working in the United States and Japan, he is a trusted advisor to clients for his persistent tenacity and creative solutions to challenging hires in Japan. He is also an avid tennis player!

Connect with Hisato Wakaizumi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hisato-wakaizumi-38479513b/

Email: hisato@focuscoregroup.com

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Hidden Brain Podcast

Bear dancing and coaching with Corey McGowan episode

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Landing your business in Japan with Sam Barker

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Japan is opening up for tourism! After more than two years of border closures, Japan is back in the news recently as it begins preparations to welcome people back to the land of the rising sun. And while Japan has always been open for business, it has been a lot harder for people to come and work in Japan with border closures, and there is a renewed interest in working and living in Japan.

My guest on the podcast today is Sam Barker, a UK-based marketing professional, writer, and former Japan resident. Sam recently shared an article he wrote about landing your business in Japan - an expert guide to success and it couldn’t more timely to chat about his research and his insights into successfully working in Japan.

In this episode you will hear:

The importance of strong language skills in Japan
Mindset - understanding the Japanese mindset and expectations
Why thinking that you can successfully copy and paste your business model from APAC and succeed in Japan is a recipe for failure
Know when to push the boundaries to make a difference...and when not to
Diversity and what does that look like in Japan
The changing dynamics of the Japanese population and what this means for the future

Sam Barker Bio:

Sam L Barker is a marketing professional with years of experience working in software and technology. He is also a freelance writer focusing on the areas of Japanese culture, technology, music, the internet, and business.

His work has appeared in numerous publications including Private Suite Magazine, Mac O’Clock, ListenCorp, Exponents and Ae2 Online. He also writes in a marketing capacity and has produced numerous blog posts, reports, presentations, guides, and features for businesses.

Connect with Sam:

Website: Far Side Virtual

LinkedIn: Sam Barker

Twitter: @Mxhdroom9

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

‘Landing your business in Japan: An expert guide to success’ article by Sam Barker

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

The High Performance Podcast

The challenges of managing local and regional stakeholders in Japan with Jonathan Cant, Executive Consultant

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0900

In this episode, David Sweet speaks with fellow FocusCore Japan colleague, Jonathan Cant about the differences between local and regional stakeholders. Jonathan is an Englishman who has made Japan his home first as an English teacher, then by building a career in training and management at Z-kai Inc, and now as the Executive Search Consultant for Finance and Accounting at FocusCore Japan.

He shares his experience and insights about local and regional stakeholders and what Executives need to know about Japanese culture to succeed in Japan.

In this episode you will hear:

Why empathy is key to leading effectively
Myths about recruiters
Debunking myths about Japanese work culture
Changing work culture in Japan - is it the end of nomikai?
Understanding Japanese HQs - why this should always be a priority!
The current state of the talent market and where to next

And we debate the important question - when will the fax machine become obsolete in Japan?

Jonathan Cant Bio:

Connect with Jonathan:

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/consultants/jonathan-cant?source=google.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathancant/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonathancant?lang=en-GB

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Managing Local and Regional Stakeholders: Challenges for CFOs By Jonathan Cant

Jonathan’s Podcast Recommendations

The Adam Buxton Podcast

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Finding the power base in Japanese companies with David Sweet

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0900

We are back on the podcast this week with a solo episode with FocusCore Japan’s Founder and CEO, David Sweet. David shares his 25 years of working in Japan experience and wisdom on finding the power bases in Japanese companies. This is a must-listen episode if you are working or joining a Japanese company and want to succeed.

APAC leaders and Western companies often put Japan in the too-hard basket when looking to expand their markets in Asia but more often than not, it's a failure to understand the power structure of Japanese organizations or they try to change the system.

This episode is a guide for those outside of Japan thinking of moving to work in Japan and for country managers and expats who are coming to Japan to take up a position in a Japanese company that will help set you up to succeed.

In this episode you will hear:

What is the power base of a Japanese company and how it differentiates from Western organizations
Why job titles in Japan are not what they seem
Consideration of the systems analysis if you are coming to lead or manage a Japanese company
Why and who to build relationships with

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

The Enigma of Japanese Power by Karel van Wolferen.

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

David Sweet Bio

He is author of 6 books, including "Sweet Sales", "Sweet Success", and "Recruit!". He is also a Certified Executive Coach. David earned a MA in Communications from Regis University and a PhD in Leadership Development.

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

5 Steps to Finding a Job with David Sweet

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0900

On this solo episode of the FocusCore podcast, I’m sharing the top five steps I use with my career coaching clients to successfully find a job.

In this episode I walk you through five simple steps that can help you land your next job:

Macro view - what’s your career vision?
Messaging - what is your WOW statement?
Searching for jobs - How to stand out from everyone else?
Preparing for interviews
Pulling it all together

So pull out your bento box, grab a pen and paper, and let's dive in!

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Diving into Diversity and Inclusion with Yuta Hasumi, Ikigai Authentic

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0900

This week’s episode with Yuta Hasumi, Managing Director of Ikigai Authentic is brought to you, especially to celebrate Pride Month. We dive into diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the workplace and discuss the key difference between Japanese and international organizations approaches to diversity and inclusion.

In this episode you will hear:

How Japan is at a pivotal point to address gender inequality
Local challenges when it comes to diversity in a homogenous country
How people can develop a career in diversity and inclusion and get involved in their current workplaces
Why it just makes commercial sense to have diversity and inclusion policies
Easy steps companies and individuals can take to be inclusive (e.g.Gender Pronouns)
Yuta’s top advice for companies to attract and retain talent
How can SMEs be inclusive and bridge gender gaps
How one hair salon in Tokyo changed their labeling of hair pricing to be more inclusive and has now built a reputation in Japan as inclusive for transgender and LGBTQ+ clients setting them apart from their competitors

Register to join the next FocusCore Webinar Walk the Talk for LGBTQ Inclusion with David Sweet, FocusCore Japan, and Yuta Hasumi, Ikigai Authentic.

June 23 2022, 6.30pm (JST)

Yuta Hasumi Bio:

Other responsibilities

• Certified Coach, COF Rosinski & Company

• Director of GEWEL, Japan

• Chair of D&I Advisory Board, Medito Foundation, Netherlands

• Member of U.S.-Japan Council, US & Japan

• Member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK

Connect with Yuta Hasumi:

Website: https://www.ikigaiauthentic.com/en/home

Email: yuta.hasumi@ikigaiauthentic.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuta-hasumi/

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

FocusCore Webinars: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/webinars

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-takase/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=jp

Talent Acquisition for the luxury brand industry with Naomi Takase, LVMH Japan

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Naomi Takase is a Kiwi living in Japan who has built an 18-year (and counting!) career in recruitment having worked both agency and corporate sides. She’s currently the Talent Acquisition Director at LVMH Japan and shares her top advice for those wanting to work in the luxury goods industry or have a listen even if you just want to know a little bit more about talent acquisition for a major global organization in Japan.

Naomi shares how she came to live and work in Japan which started with a phone call from FocusCore podcast host, David Sweet, for a job interview (you have to listen to find out the full story), and how she has built her impressive career as a Kiwi living in the land of the Rising Sun.

In this episode you will hear:

How to market your company to attract great talent
Employer branding and employer reputation and why these are important for recruitment
Why she prefers to be paperless in interviews
Her frustration when candidates undersell themselves, especially women returning to work after caring for children
The value of executive search recruiters and how she uses them to tap into hidden talent
Why Naomi wants to have lunch with fashion powerhouse, Stella McCartney
How reading ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins has been instrumental in her career and personal decisions

Naomi Takase Bio:

Born and raised in New Zealand, Naomi is a Kiwi at heart but Japan is where she now calls "home". She has been recruiting in Japan for 18 years with experience in both the agency side and corporate talent acquisition functions. At LVMH Japan, Naomi strategically sources for key positions and welcomes the opportunity to speak to executives who are open to learning more about the LVMH Group for future opportunities. Naomi is also happy to connect potential candidates to some of LVMH Maison, so feel free to send her an in-mail and /or connection request on LinkedIn.

Connect with Naomi Takase:

Website: LVMH Japan

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

“Good to Great” By Jim Collins

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/williamtokyo/

World-class learning and development with William Nealy Jr.

Sun, 15 May 2022 07:00:00 +0900

We hope everyone had a wonderful Golden Week. We’ve taken a little break from podcasting but host, David Sweet is back with a brand new guest on the show this week. William Nealy Jr. started his career journey in Japan as a teacher on the JET programme and turned his early education teaching experience into a successful career in senior management in Learning and Development where he has worked for some of the world’s most well-known brands including Adidas, Nissan, and Cartier in Japan and America.

In this episode you will hear:

How teaching in Japan started William on his career journey
How playing tennis and sport develops a growth mindset and how that benefits working in a business
What are company values and why are they so important - it needs to start from the top
What pitfalls can companies avoid
How companies can do better for their staff when it comes to developing their careers
How to provide learning and development for staff when you have a limited budget
Importing international organizational values to Japan versus creating company values in Japan

William Nealy Jr. Bio:

I work inside a business to align people development initiatives with the overall business strategy. In this position, it has been my privilege and honor to work with individuals around the globe. I've worked in the USA, Spain, and Japan, the latter for nearly 18 years. During my time in Japan, I fell in love with the people and the culture, and developed a deep understanding and respect for Japanese workplace practices.

My background includes working closely with senior managers to identify opportunities for improvement and managing change at the local and global level. I'm accustomed to creating and managing talent development programs, coaching high-potential talent, and facilitating training programs. I love the rush and satisfaction of helping my co-workers around the world achieve their goals.

Connect with William Nealy Jr.:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamnealy/?originalSubdomain=jp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/williamtokyo?lang=en

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Harvard Business Review

LinkedIn Learning

Jim Loehr

Recommended Reading:

The New Toughness Training for Sports by Jim Loehr

The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Recruitment ‘Hacks’ with Andrew Hankinson of Zwilling J.A. Henckels Japan

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 05:00:00 +0900

This week on the podcast we are doing something different. I wanted to share with you an interview I did with Andrew Hankinson from the first podcast that I ever recorded.

Developing operations in Japan to be efficient and profitable can be a challenge when you run six top brands, over 30 retail shops, and a factory of the German company, Zwilling J.A. Henckels. For over 30 years, Andrew has been a true leader in Japan, a sales guru, and a business leader. He is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional business people I've had the honor to know.

In this episode you will hear:

How Andrew worked his way back to the Land of the Rising Sun after studying in Japan in high school
The importance of hiring people who really know how to sell
Why it’s so important to really study resumes, and interview questions Andrew likes to ask when recruiting
What quality good recruiters need to have and Andrew’s own recruitment ‘hack’
Why Andrew would choose lunch with his grandparents over Columbus and Aristotle
The book Andrew recommends for every business professional

About Andrew:

Andrew Hankinson is Senior Managing Director at ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS Japan Ltd. Andrew has 27 years of professional experience in Business Development, Sales Training, and P/L Management. He has 17 years of managerial-level leadership skills as Director of Sales & Marketing, General Manager, and Managing Director. Andrew has a proven track record of surpassing target expectations, motivating both team-based management styles and start-up ventures, and managing budgets / forecasting. He has excellent bilingual (Japanese – English) communication skills honed through 20 plus years of sales / business presentations, negotiations, and public speaking, to Fortune 500 firms, industry conventions, and team building. Andrew has also had managerial experience in business alliance development, service/product rationalization, corporate/event planning, and Japan new market entry.

Connect with Andrew:

Website: zwilling.jp

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrew-hankinson-09b89

Podcast: https://www.nowandzen.jp/

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

The First 90 Days book by Michael D Watkins

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focuscore/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

How to hire A-player candidates using the Topgrading interview methodology

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Introducing you to Topgrading, a recruitment methodology proven effective by some of the best companies in the world including General Electric and Barclays.

In this episode you will hear:

• How to engage your HR and executives to hire A-Players

• How to document and create scorecards

• Learn the easy, time-saving technique for screening candidates

• Why are reference checks so important

• The simple process and the questions to ask

These five steps are the bare bones of creating a recruitment process for your organization that our clients say attracts and retains the top talent.

If you would like samples of a scorecard, please feel free to email me at david.Sweet@focuscoregroup.com.

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Recruitment in Japan with Supply Chain Wayne™ AKA Wayne Yoshida, Talent Acquisition Manager at Maersk

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Today’s podcast guest is a former FocusCore alum and the current North-East Asia Talent Acquisition Manager at Maersk, Wayne Yoshida, or as he is officially known as, Supply Chain Wayne™. Wayne is a Quebecer who has called Japan home for the past 15 years and has built an enviable career and reputation in recruitment for the transport industry.

This episode looks at two sides of the recruitment coin as Wayne shares with David what it's like going from a boutique recruitment agency to in-house talent acquisition for a global organization. Wayne candidly shares some of the challenges of working in recruitment in Japan and what companies can do to build better recruitment practices with digital technologies and systems that provide a great employee experience from the initial chat to onboarding.

In this episode you will hear:

How Wayne transitioned as a recruiter from the agency side to in-house recruitment - what he learned and what he likes about being the in-house talent acquisition manager
Recruitment in Japan and the key challenges
How and why Wayne built his own personal brand that led him to be known in the industry as Supply Chain Wayne™
Why customer relationship systems are critical for a great and smooth recruitment experience
How Wayne hunts Unicorns - looking for the best and most unique candidates that will bring value to the company
The secrets to healthy competition in a competitive industry

Wayne Bio:

Wayne Yoshida is currently the North East Asia Talent Acquisition Manager at Maersk in Japan. He started his recruitment career journey at FocusCore Japan where he built an impressive personal brand and tribe following leading Wayne to be known as Supply Chain Wayne™. He is also the editor of CargoNOW and a Senior Board Member of the International Propeller Club of Japan. Wayne will soon be able to add a published author to his title with the publication of a children's book about transportation due out soon.

Connect with Wayne Yoshida:

LinkedIn - Wayne Yoshida

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Recruitment tools: Engin10 and Hireplanner

Wayne and David’s Mexican restaurant chain recommendation: Casa Bonita

Wayne’s favorite South Park episode: "It's Christmas in Canada" Season 7 E15

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/coryadventurepartner/?hl=en

Bear dancing and coaching with Cory McGowan, Coach and Founder of Adventure Partner

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Cory McGowan is an American by birth who has made the mountains of Minakami, Japan his forever home with his family. He is a coach, husband, father, and a bear dancer. In this week’s episode, FocusCore Podcast host, David Sweet chats with Cory about his coaching business, Adventure Partner, which he launched in November 2020, and how Covid and past career trauma has led him to this new career path.

If you have ever wondered about coaching and what it can do for you and for your career, you wouldn’t be alone. Cory shares his experience of being a coach, what it involves, and the benefits. They also discuss coaching benefits for organizations, why organizations shouldn’t shy away from using coaching as a development opportunity, and how it can elevate not just people but organizations to reach their potential.

In this episode we discuss:

The difference between training and coaching
How Corey transitioned from working in the corporate world to running his own business, Adventure Partners, and why he doesn’t see himself as an entrepreneur
Why a coach also needs their own coach
Taking the jump with his family from Japanese city life to the Japanese mountains and living in Minakami
Community development in Minakami, setting up the Relocation Concierge Programme for Minakami and his vision to make a positive impact in his adopted town for his family
Japan’s social issue of rural depopulation and how he contributes to addressing this problem
Cory’s first-hand experience of bear dancing, how it led him to discover bears are an endangered species in Japan, and how he is active in their conservation
The routines and rituals that keep him focussed and are non-negotiable for his well-being

About Cory McGowan:

Coach, Husband, Father, Bear Dancer. After decades of searching, Cory found his true home in the mountains of Japan.

Professionally trained transformational coach and experienced adventurer. He uses both to support leaders and other humans around the world to express their fullest potential and co-create the lives they want for themselves.

He supports his hometown, Minakami, Gunma Prefecture as the first foreign relocation concierge and is actively creating a vision for community development with the hopes of being a leader in solving the problem of rural depopulation in Japan.

Connect with Cory McGowan:

Website: https://www.adventure-partner.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-mcgowan-328b2b5/?originalSubdomain=jp

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Kumamori

Minakami Relocation Concierge

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Henkel Japan Career Page

Innovation is key with Hideo Goto, Henkel Beauty Care Japan

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Hello and welcome to the FocusCore Podcast with your host David Sweet. In this episode, David speaks with Hideo Goto, Country General Manager of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and Korea.

Hideo has a long career history in beauty and personal care spanning over 20+ years and has been in senior management roles at Henkel Beauty Care since 2017 where he has accelerated business growth by strengthening brand portfolios through innovation and building high-performing teams. By focusing on a strong organizational culture and innovation, Hideo has led Henkel to be a leader in the consumer and professional haircare industry in Japan.

In this episode we discuss:

Hideo’s career journey that has led him to Henkel Beauty Care
The growth of Henkel, in particular, the haircare business in Japan and their path journey to becoming a powerhouse of hair
Key challenges for growing Henkel and how to sustain growth over the next 10 years
Innovation including digital innovation and product innovation
The company culture of Henkel and how it attracts employees and how Henkel’s strong culture values differentiate them from their competitors
How leveraging collaboration from within the business to create solutions is key
Sustainability and how Henkel is adapting to reach the 2030 UN sustainability targets and the importance of sustainability embedded in a company’s values to attract employee candidates
The impact of Covid-19 on Henkel’s beauty care business and how haircare is thriving due to the pandemic

Hideo Goto Bio:

Hideo Goto is Country General Manager of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and Korea, a position he was promoted to in 2021 having joined Henkel Beauty Care in 2017 as GM of the Professional Division. In 2019, Hideo was promoted as Country GM of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and led both the professional and consumer businesses. In 2020, he successfully turned around consumer business and, in 2021, accelerated the growth and achieved the historically highest market share.

Hideo has more than 20 years of experience in health and beauty industry, and a strong track record of driving results. Prior to Henkel, 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 earned an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in the U.S. in 2003 and a BBA from Meiji University in 1996.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Connect with FocusCore:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focuscore/

Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you download podcasts.

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

Welcome to The FocusCore Podcast

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 05:00:00 +0900

Hello and welcome to The FocusCore Podcast. My name is David Sweet.

On this podcast, we will meet interesting, inspirational and entertaining people who show why Japan is a unique and sometimes frustrating place to do business.

We will discuss

How to hire, train, and retain talent,
How to create values that motivate
Review best practices that have worked and attempts that have not.

I'll be speaking to company presidents, CEOs, CFOs, HR professionals, coaches, consultants, as well as sharing with you some of my own experiences and opinions discovered over the years in this great country. The focus is simple: To explore how to succeed in business in Japan.

So join me, David Sweet, on The FocusCore Podcast.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you download podcasts.

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.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.