CREATING RELATIONSHIPS OUT OF THE OFFICE

 

 

 

SOCIALIZING IS A GOOD THING

 

Not that we judge Japanese way of life but there has been a common misconception on how their all about work. I enjoyed researching this part to high light that, in Japan, after work socializing is a nice and easy way to do to build respect. Mind your manner though, it could be a way to lose respect before it is gained.

 

Business Dinners. are used like lunch used for socializing.

 

Home Invitations. Being invited into someone home is a great honor and should be happily accepted.

 

Common ground. Is preferred but if there is a difference in opinion, displaying the disagreement by saying you have a different opinion is better than stating they are wrong.

 

SHOES IN THE RIGHT PLACE

 

You might not think that shoes are important, and your right; it’s the socks that are important and knowing when to show them. Whether entering a person’s home or a causal sitting area (like a restaurant) it is important to remember to take off your shoes. Rules for sock engagement are to:

 

·         Look for a pile of slippers as an indicator for shoe removal.

·         Make sure you have socks because bare feet might not be acceptable, especially in slippers.

·         Make sure you have no noticeable wholes in your socks, especially when conducting business.

·         Look for bathroom slippers, when using the restroom change to the rest room slippers.

·         Follow the example of the host to know when to release your feet.

 

JAPAN ETIQUETTE CONCLUSION

 

Two conclusions I have developed are to never assume anything about a culture, and it’s easier to “blend in” with knowledge and “do well” with respect. Japan business people have a way of doing business that is comfortable for them, and making every effort to keep business “normal” will help build strong relationships, both professional and personal.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work cited

Rogers, G. (2013). Japanese Business Etiquette- A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Business Interactions

http://goasia.about.com/od/Customs-and-Traditions/a/Japanese-Business-Etiquette.htm

JAPAN INTERCULTURAL CONSULTING. (2013). Let Your Hair Down – Socializing with Japanese                  http://www.japanintercultural.com/en/japanesebusinessetiquetteguide/letYourHairDownSocializingWithJapanese.aspx

HOW TO PRESENT YOURSELF FOR JAPAN OCCASIONS

 

 

With every occasion arises a way to carry yourself, and in Japan is important to know how much excitement to show or hold back and for which instance. I think it’s fair to say that “westerners” like me tend to get really excited and show it by a loud voice with fast talking. While it may be hard and not completely necessary to contain certain aspects of your personality when engaging in a conversation over lunch, you should mind how you deliver a business presentation.

 

LOOKING GOOD WHILE PRESENTING YOUR WORK

 

In Japan if a presentation is made too quickly it may be perceived as “not so thought provoking” or misunderstood, and the project could be overlook. While preparing statements, project, or lectures allow your audience to absorb the information. Some dos and don’ts are:  

 

Do give outlines of your speech. This will help them follow along with the presentation and when the audience goes back to talk with their colleagues to decide on the project presented, their will have something to show.

Do give time between major points in your speech. Making sure everyone is following by summarizing each section.

Do give time for thinking. Schedule a meeting at a later date to gather the reactions from the presentation.

Do talk positive. Avoid talking someone down or pointing out mistakes or failures.

Don’t be discouraged if you put them to sleep. If you are talking and you see someone close their eye, they are taken in the information with less distraction. It is not uncommon for people to fall asleep so don’t be offended if it goes happen.

Don’t point your finger. If you must point use your hand to point.

Don’t use jargon. Or any words that might need to be looked up in the dictionary. Make the presentation with words that are easy to understand.

 

LUNCH IS THE IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY

 

As a time to socialize, I highly recommended thinking of yourself like a presentation for causal business lunches, with small talk as your evidence. Depending on the business and reason for the lunch, small talk is important because in Japan knowing who you are working with may be more important than the work itself.

 

Before the meal.  An acceptable time to give and receive business cards; however, do not just put it away, be respectful by thoroughly examining the card, first.

 

 

During the meal. Follow your host by talking about what he or she wants to talk about.

After the meal. Watch or ask your business counterparts if they tip, in some parts of Japan it’s considered rude.

 

 

 

Brennen, C. (2003). Going to Japan on Business-3^rd Edition Received from

http://books.google.com/books

JAPAN INTERCULTURAL CONSULTING. (2013). Make Your Presentation a Success                  http://www.japanintercultural.com/en/japanesebusinessetiquetteguide/makeYourPresentationASuccess.aspx

JAPAN BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

 

 

What to Know When You Go. While visiting Japan on business, if you want to impress your boss or coworkers, research their customs, and display the knowledge. Knowing your way around the office or city or even where to find a good restaurant, suggests you took the time to care about your trip. However, being nervous is natural, just know most business professionals are understanding or even inviting of cultures; and some will offer a hand shake instead of a bow, as a sign of understanding to our customs.

 

INTRODUCING YOURSELF BEFORE YOU GO

 

Send an e-mail introducing yourself, if you have not met your Japanese associate, this will help you both feel more comfortable when you meet face to face.

 

 BOWING (OJIGI) COULD BE IMPORTANT 

 

Japan a proper bow is important and can mean different things such as hello, thank you, sorry, excuse me, and many others; I think it resembles our hand in the air with a small head nod. What you need to know about bowing is to:

 

·         Keep your back straight.

·         Put your hands down at the sides.

·         Keep a long deep bow to show more respect.

o   15 degrees for casual

o   30 degrees for informal

o   45 degrees for formal looking at your feet

·         Put your head to the left when a bow comes with a hand shake.

·         Don’t put your hands in your pocket.

 

RESPECT IS HUGE

 

Doing business in Japan also requires researching how to give and receive respect in “normal” business situations. In my blogs to follow, I will inform you about topics to think about before traveling that will help make a good impression by answering the following questions.

 

Presentations: Should they be fast and loud or slow and quiet?

Lunch: are for meetings or socials?

Socializing: Is it ok and where?  

Shoes: Why are they important?

 

 

Work cited

Rogers, G. (2013). Japanese Business Etiquette- A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Business           Interactions Received from http://goasia.about.com/od/Customs-and-Traditions/a/Japanese-Business-Etiquette.htm

Mishima, S. (2013). How to Bow in Japan Received from       http://gojapan.about.com/cs/etiquetteinjapan/a/bowing.htm