Why Europe and Japan need an EPA !

GBMC's avatarwww.gbmc-blog.biz

GBMC Article published by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation:

1) in EU-JAPAN NEWS, in the December 2013 edition of the Centre’s Newsletter.  Article to be found page 18 of the Newsletter #44: EU-Japan News December 2013

2) permanently online, on the “EU Business in Japan” website: http://www.eubusinessinjapan.eu/library/publication/article-why-europe-and-japan-need-an-epa

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About “Doing Business in Japan” or “Doing Business with the Japanese”

Japan in spring 6

Doing Business in Japan

Many articles and books have been written about the subjects of “Doing Business in Japan” or “Doing Business with the Japanese”.

Some of them focus on Cross-cultural Management issues, others on Sales & Marketing issues and, finally, some others on Entry Strategy issues.

At GBMC, we cover all fields:

1) “Doing Business with the Japanese” in Japan:

In 2012, the EU-Japan Centre carried out a Survey of EU SMEs on their Internationalisation towards Japan (Source: In Search for Growth: Towards a New Role for SMEs in EU-Japan Relations, EU-JAPAN CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION 2013).   The obstacles most often mentioned by respondents (126 European SMEs) were:

  1. Language barriers (55%),
  2. Difficulty to grasp business practices,
  3.  Costs,
  4. Difficulty in understanding the local laws or regulations,
  5. Conforming to Japanese standards.

So, you have a “Homework” to do when approaching one of the most dynamic and challenging market in the world!

In our book “The Ultimate Survival Guide for Business in Japan”, we cover the following Cross-cultural Management issues:

[ Part I – Cross-cultural Management 

Chapter I – Culture Basics in Japan

Chapter II – Group Spirit and « Nemawashi »

Chapter III – An Innovative Country

Chapter IV – « Omotenashi »: the Customer Service Mindset

Chapter V – The Sumo-way of Negotiating ]

For availability, please check the GBMC’s eBooks section at: http://www.gbmc.biz/GBMC_eBooks.html

You will also find links to many other articles from us.

Finally, as part of our consulting offer, we also provide (more details from: http://www.gbmc.biz/Japan_Training_Lecturing.html)

Cross cultural training for European staff in Japanese companies                
Training for European companies who work with Japanese companies (Japanese customers, clients or partners): Japanese business etiquette, Japanese business culture, doing business with Japan ….     

2) “Doing Business with the Japanese” in Europe or abroad:

Japanese companies have been major long-term investors in Europe and other parts of the world.

In the following Publications written for the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, we have interviewed the executives of

14 Japanese companies and public/trade associations about the EU as a Destination for Japanese Investments.

Title: “An assessment of key EU industrial sectors open to Japanese technological cooperation and investment”

This publication will help Japanese researchers, companies and other organisations take advantage of the considerable opportunities to establish and develop industrial activities or relationships in the EU. It begins with an explanation of how EU industry is expected to change, the impact and benefits the EU Single Market offers, how IPR protection is simplifying and strengthening, and new opportunities under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. Then, it identifies key industrial sectors and sub-sectors likely to be of potential interest to Japan, including brief mention of some of the countless recent examples demonstrating the already-close industrial ties. Finally, its case studies outline the experience of 14 Japanese companies and business federations which have established activities in Europe.

Direct Link:  http://www.eu-japan.eu/sites/eu-japan.eu/files/AnAssessmentOfKeyEUIndustrialSectors_FINAL.pdf

> Title: “Destination Europe – The EU Single Market: an attractive destination for Japanese FDI”

This publication is an information material on the European Union as an attractive destination for Japanese investments. The European Union has historically been a major destination for foreign direct investment, offering Japanese companies the benefits of a Single Market of more than 500 million people. At the same time, there is still a considerable potential for further expansion of Japanese investment activity in the EU Member States now that the economies of Japan and the EU are on the way to becoming even more integrated as a result of the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Japanese companies and investors will find useful information about the benefits of the EU Single Market that will encourage them to invest in one or several of our 28 Member States.

Direct Link: http://www.eu-japan.eu/sites/eu-japan.eu/files/DestinationEurope_1.pdf

Finally, as part of our consulting offer, we also provide (more details from: http://www.gbmc.biz/Japan_Training_Lecturing.html);

– Cross cultural training for Japanese expatriates working in Europe

3) “Doing Business in Japan”:

In our book “The Ultimate Survival Guide for Business in Japan”, we also cover the following Sales & Marketing/Entry Strategy issues:

[ Part II – Sales & Marketing Strategies

Chapter VI – Business Basics in Japan

Chapter VII – B2C Marketing

Chapter VIII – B2B Marketing

Chapter IX – Long-term B2B Sales Strategies

Part III – Japan Entry Stratégies 

Chapter X – Indirect Sales

Chapter XI – Direct Sales

Chapter XII – Strategic Alliances and Partnerships ]

For availability, please check the GBMC’s eBooks section at: http://www.gbmc.biz/GBMC_eBooks.html

As the more you know about Japan, the better it is, you might as well:

– follow our Blog: http://gbmc-blog.biz

– register to our Mailing List on: http://www.gbmc.biz/Home_Page.php

– follow our company page on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2420671

– check out our book (in French) about the History of the Japanese Economy:

“Lecture Economique de l’Histoire du Japon” (for availability, please also check http://www.gbmc.biz/GBMC_eBooks.html)

Finally, as part of our consulting offer, we also provide (more details from:http://www.gbmc.biz/EU-Japan_Consulting.html)

– EU-Japan Market Entry and Development Consultancy

– Japan Executive/Business Coaching Service

– Foreign Trade/Exhibition/Event Support Business Services

– Translation/ Interpreter Services & Language Courses

For more information, questions, comments or requests, you can also contact us at info@gbmc.biz


About how to “survive” in Japan’s Business World

How to survive in Japan

How to survive in Japan

In 2012, the EU-Japan Centre carried out a Survey of EU SMEs on their Internationalisation towards Japan (Source: In Search for Growth: Towards a New Role for SMEs in EU-Japan Relations, EU-JAPAN CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION 2013).   The obstacles most often mentioned by respondents (126 European SMEs) were:

  1. Language barriers (55%),
  2. Difficulty to grasp business practices,
  3.  Costs,
  4. Difficulty in understanding the local laws or regulations,
  5. Conforming to Japanese standards.

So, you have a “Homework” to do when approaching one of the most dynamic and challenging market in the world. Of course, you should and you could start reading a couple of books/papers about Japan (you will find some resources on the “Publications” Page of our website http://www.gbmc.biz), as well as taking part in various cross-cultural training seminars (which we also offer at GBMC) or executive training programs.

However, there is a quicker way to kick off your “Japan Project”. If you are a business executive of a company:

  • approaching the Japanese Market,
  • reviewing its options in terms of Japan Entry Strategy,
  • already exporting to Japan (Indirect Sales) or,
  • already established and doing business in Japan (Direct Sales).

MY ADVICE TO YOU WOULD BE THESE 3 WORDS: ” BUY MY BOOK ”

(after a quote from “Wall Street”, Oliver Stone’s movie)

It will save you a lot of time, research and money, as the base of what you need to know is summarised in one single place:

Yabusame 8

The Ultimate Survival Guide for Business in Japan”

In this book, I show::

  • That the Japanese Market is a great market to approach and that, provided the right methodology and marketing mix, there are great opportunities to seize in the long-term for foreign (EU) companies.
  • That it is necessary to get familiar with cross-cultural differences and to understand better your Japanese clients, their country, their culture and their business system.
  • How to market your products or services in Japan (B2C and B2B Marketing Guidelines).
  • Which Entry Strategies are available to foreign companies to choose from and guidelines for selection.

So feel free to check the book details.

BOOK AVAILABILITY:

The eBook is available right now for sale on various e-commerce sites (KOBO/AMAZON/LULU/YOUSCRIBE/FNAC/RAKUTEN/IBOOK).

The useful links are provided on our website at the “eBooks” page:

http://www.gbmc.biz/GBMC_eBooks.html

WISHING YOU A PRODUCTIVE READING !!


E-learning Video (16 min, in French) about “How to set up an office in Japan”

Video Picture 2

How to set up an office in Japan

 

 

VIDEO de formation “Comment s’implanter au Japon” (16 min)

Après avoir mis en place l’export vers le Japon, les entreprises françaises peuvent avoir envie de s’implanter au Japon, d’être présentes au quotidien dans ce pays. Comment choisir le bon mode d’implantation au Japon ? Quelle structure juridique choisir ? Comment réussir son implantation au Japon ?

Le plan de la formation :

– Pourquoi s’implanter au Japon
– La stratégie d’implantation au Japon
– Les différentes options d’implantation au Japon
– Les différentes structures juridiques possibles au Japon
– Les clés de réussite de l’implantation au Japon

Tournage: LA TV DES ENTREPRENEURS (http://www.tvdesentrepreneurs.com)

 

Accès à la Vidéo/ Access to the Video: 

go to the GBMC site:

http://www.gbmc.biz/Follow_us.php


E-learning Video (15 min, in French) about “How to export to Japan”

Video Picture

How to export to Japan

VIDEO de formation “Comment Exporter vers le Japon” (15 min)

Le Japon est un pays qui intéresse les entreprises françaises qui souhaitent développer leur marché et leurs exportations mais c’est également un marché bien particulier. Comment réussir à exporter vers le Japon ? Quelles sont les étapes de ce projet d’export et quelles sont les spécificités du marché japonais qui doivent être absolument respectées ?

Le plan de la formation :

– Le marché japonais
– Les spécificités culturelles du Japon
– Le profil type du consommateur japonais
– Les exportations françaises au Japon
– Les marchés à fort potentiel au Japon
– Adapter les produits français au marché japonais
– Améliorer les 4P du marketing au marché japonais

Tournage: LA TV DES ENTREPRENEURS (http://www.tvdesentrepreneurs.com)

 

Accès à la Vidéo/ Access to the Video: 

go to the GBMC site:

http://www.gbmc.biz/Follow_us.php

 

 


Delighting your customers, rather than pleasing them!

Japanese bridge in garden

“Delighting the customer creates a bridge between seller and buyer. If they are delighted with the service, the customer will pay a price commensurate with their satisfaction”.

Good point from Mikitani-san (Rakuten)! This is where the “Omotenashi” concept gets into action …

Check the post on Linked In hereunder:

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140225144505-52782505-how-to-delight-the-customer?trk=eml-ced-b-art-M-0&midToken=AQFFX38yG-JExQ&fromEmail=fromEmail&ut=0FjLgmAkpwuSk1

 

 

 


About the need for Structural Reforms in Japan’s Electronics Industry

Global Electronics Market Shares

Structural Reforms in Japan’s Electronics Industry

 

 

Great analysis in the Economist!  What are your views?

http://www.economist.com/news/business/21606845-electronics-companies-japan-are-starting-turn-themselves-around-they-are-shadow?frsc=dg%7Ca&fsrc=scn/tw_app_iPad

 

 


About Japan’s Globalisation Imperative (国際化 )

Kokusaika

Kokusaika

 

Great analysis by McKinsey of the challenge ahead ! What do you think?

http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/strategy/japans_globalization_imperative

 


The Japanese experience in cross-border M&A

The following article (2012) from McKinsey could do as a starting point. Any update since then?

http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/asia-pacific/a_yen_for_global_growth_the_japanese_experience_in_cross-border_m_and_38a

 


Continuous Improvement vs Innovation

GBMC's avatarwww.gbmc-blog.biz

I found this interesting article on HBR and wonder what would be your thoughts on it:

http://blogs.hbr.org/ashkenas/2012/05/its-time-to-rethink-continuous.html

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