As Japan is getting ready for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games as well as the current high tension with China and Korea, cyber security has become a key focal point for both the government (with JPS as a recent example of the current weaknesses that exist) and for the private sector. Another complicating factor is the convergence of physical and cyber security issues, shown most prevalently by a couple of recent attacks:

• Target, a large US based retail organization, had up to 70M customer credit cards and other PPI stolen after being hacked via their building’s HVAC system.
• A small team recently took over a Jeep that was traveling 70 mph (or about 110 kph) on the highway via its 3G mobile connection, and Range Rover is doing a recall of many of their vehicles due to their door and ignition system being easily hacked.
• The emergence of IoT, especially in control systems for manufacturing, health care services, etc., presents a huge new set of opportunities for hackers to exploit and either gain control of various functions or bridge into the enterprise network.

In the October CI meeting, Mr. Phillip Morris, CTO for British Telecom (BT) Japan, will speak to us about BT’s experiences protecting the London 2012 Olympic Games. He will also share on where cyber security and risk management is going over the next few years.

Date– Friday, 9 October 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Venue–
Roppongi Hills Club- Roppongi Hills Club- Chinese Restaurant
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

BT is a global telecommunications company with a heavy focus on the financial services, manufacturing, health care/life sciences and CPG sectors. BT is world renowned for their managed security services, protecting not only the Olympic Games, but also high profile organizations such as NATO Summits, large UK ministries, and global banks.

Every business depends on its sales force, and the ability to attract and keep top performers is critical to success. For international companies in Japan, the chronic shortage of qualified bilingual talent makes the challenge particularly acute.

In the October CEO Insights meeting we will welcome Mr. John Tucker, CEO of specialist executive search firm CDS (part of the Recruit Group). John is no light weight former English but is actually a Harvard University grad running a sizable human resource business in Japan.  John will share some lessons he has learned in building his team — and doubling revenue over the past four years — including:

• The No. 1 thing that motivates experienced sales people (hint: not money)
• Trade-offs between “building” and “buying” a sales team
• Accommodating diversity while maintaining culture
• Why it sometimes makes sense for even a recruitment agency to use a recruitment agency

Date – Thursday, 6 Oct 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Venue-
Roppongi Hills Club- Roppongi Hills Club- Italian Restaurant- La Cucina
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi,
Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

Getting right people on the team is absolutely critical for business success anywhere and Japan is without doubt one of the most difficult places to hire in the world. With 1.27 open jobs per job seeker nationwide there is currently a huge shortage of suitably qualified professionals to do a wide range of jobs across industries. Unfortunately, for those of us running businesses here it’s only going to get a whole lot harder in the coming years and it’s absolutely critical that organisations prepare themselves for the challenges that this will pose.

David Swan, Managing Director Japan & Korea for Robert Walters will explain the dynamics of the job market that have created this situation and provide some strategies and ideas for you and your organisations to be in the best position possible to obtain the talent you need on your team.

Robert Walters is the leading foreign, mid-career global recruitment consultancy in Japan. David joined Robert Walters Japan in 2002, was appointed Managing Director in November 2009 and he established the Group’s Korea operations in October 2010. Since this time, the Japan business has become the most profitable, Tokyo the second largest office and Seoul one of the fastest offices for the group globally. David is also a regular commentator to the media on a wide range of issues pertaining to the Japanese labour market.

Date– Thursday, 8 October 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Venue–
Roppongi Hills Club- Roppongi Hills Club- La Cucina
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

When: Thursday, October 22th 7pm – 8:30pm
Where: Azabu Gardens (Behind Roppongi Hills: http://www.azabugardens.com/contact/)
Cost: 8,000 yen / person

Japan is a market that to many foreign companies remains an enigma and where one of the key learnings seems to be that all market segments are saturated and dominated by huge local players. The toy market is not any different and yet a small company from an even smaller country far up in the northernmost part of Europe is trying to swim against the current and prove that even if a market is not growing you can successfully grow a global brand using global tools.

What is the story behind the growth of the LEGO brand in this market and are there any learnings for companies outside the toy business? LEGO Japan’s CEO Steen Lauge Kokkenborg will be answering questions as well as sharing insights, learnings and perspectives from his experience with the LEGO Brand in the Japanese market.  Prior to Japan, Steen ran Lego’s successful Korea organization.

After the Sept CI meeting, you will leave the luncheon regretting you ever left your toys on your way to success.

Date– Friday, 11 September 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Venue–
Roppongi Hills Club- Roppongi Hills Club- La Cucina
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

Japan has a constant influx of international brands looking to come to advantage of the market and it’s buying power each year. Of course, importing a product, setting up distribution, and building brand aware all contribute to success in Japan, this is not the only way. Licensing your brand in Japan is another option.

France’s FAUCHON is having considerable success in licensing their brand in Japan. In the Sept CI lunch we will get a chance to hear the strengths of the FAUCHON model that has worked for over 43 years. Why would licensing be an option? What are the pros and cons for choosing the licensing model?  How do you pick a good business partner? How do you really negotiate a win-win agreement with that business partner?

In September, FAUCHON’s Japan CEO will present his thoughts on these many areas in the world of licensing that builds your brand.

Date– Tuesday, 8 September 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Venue–
Roppongi Hills Club- Roppongi Hills Club- Salon (French)
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

Omni Channel is the new retail catchword.  To date, the strategy is perceived as primarily a strategy for retailers to optimize between stores and/or bricks and mortar channels with e-channels, i.e. smart phone or PC commerce.  Harry Hill will present a case study with our Shop Japan Wonder Core series to illustrate a vision of Omni Channel which both harmonizes the retail experience while also increasing interest, response and sales into all channels.  He will show how Shop Japan incorporate the metrics and discipline from our traditional TV shopping, direct marketing business model into an Omni Channel:  a model that integrates big data with response data to increase traffic and conversion in all channels including call, smart phone, PC and retail t win market share in all channels while at the same time dramatically increasing Shop Japan’s brand awareness, customer profile and channel balance as well as improve profitability.

Come enjoy a special CI meeting presented by Harry Hill and moderated by Phil Rubel.  Please note that we will NOT be meeting at our usual venue.

Date– Thursday, 10 Sept 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Venue–
OAK LAWN MARKETING, INC.
21F Toranomon Hills Mori Tower, 1-23-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku Tokyo

Are you looking for high quality English speaking MBA graduates who want to work in Japan? Of course you are. Aren’t we all? We have teamed up with GLOBIS University to get some good potential people for you. CI membership has it’s benefits.

GLOBIS University, the largest business school in Japan, will have the students in its one year full-time MBA program graduating this month. Many of the 31 students from 17 different countries are searching for a job opportunity in Japan. All of them are from top universities in their home countries and have three or more years of working experience in mostly top/global companies. Many of them are great candidates for employment, having business understanding, extensive knowledge about their home market, and good understanding about Japanese culture. If you would be interested in seeing their CVs please contact Kenya Yoshino (Mr.) via our contact form. He would be happy to visit you and share the CV book of the graduating students. I know he will be looking forward to hearing from you. When you do contact Yoshino-san please let him know you are a CEO Insights member.