For decades, Japan has exported high-tech, high-quality products to the world. In recent years, Japanese companies have invested heavily in business operations in Europe. And, as many Japanese expat managers will agree, cultural differences may be the least difficult part of managing a foreign operation. Labour laws, unfamiliar regulations, employee expectations and local competition are only a few of the factors that can impede their success outside Japan. To provide Japanese managers working in Europe with a context, knowledge and practical tools for succeeding in business in the EU, MCE recommends the workshops below.
Senior & Top Management Level
Senior Leadership Workshop for Japanese Executives
This is not an easy time for business people. The current business climate is especially challenging for top executives, who are responsible for leading their companies. The challenge is even bigger because you are fighting not in your home territory, but in Europe.
This workshop is for Japanese managers who are doing business and managing people in Europe. Even if you are experienced in international business, Europe can be challenging. Regulations, work practices, customer markets, language, culture, and values are very different from the Japanese way of doing things. In Europe, it is very important to communicate strategic direction to the employees to get their support to implement the strategy. To communicate the business strategy clearly to the employees is one of the key success factors in Europe.
Read more
Mid-Career Management Level
Management Skills for Japanese Expats
When Japanese managers are sent overseas as expats, they often need new management skills and they often have a lot more responsibility than they had in Japan. One of the reasons for this is that many Japanese companies are also trying to become more “local”. As a result, there are more and more local managers in key roles. This means that the Japanese managers need to play the key role of being the bridge between HQ and the local office. But despite this important role, most managers have not had enough to prepare for their overseas assignment before leaving Japan. Management Centre Europe has developed a workshop that specifically deals with these issues and will help Japanese managers in their role as an expat Japanese manager in Europe. Read more