CEO Insights is an unparalleled gathering of ladies and gents running the businesses of some of the most influential brands in Asia. For many, including c-levels like CI members, building a business for the ground up and seeing it catch on globally is a dream come true. In September, CI will welcome a global CEO whole built his dream and continues to see it expand. In September, we will meet Rob Walters, originally a London-based accountant who built a business that now spans 24 countries with 2,700 employees globally.

In this joint CI meeting, you will be able to hear how a London professional build his dream and continues to expand it. This will be an open discussion around a boardroom style table we’re we will likely discuss
-Going from employee to employer
-Watching out for the growth blockers
-Having the right strategy in the right market

You will also have the opportunity to catch up with other CI members from the other two groups. Please note, this is an invitation-only event with limited space due to the room size. We will accommodate as many people in as possible.

Date– Wednesday, 16 Sept 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Cost– ¥5,900 (Due to venue, for simplicity this event will be invoiced from AINEO)
Venue–  Roppongi Hills Club- Roppongi Hills Club- La Cucina Restaurant (Italian)
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

When video conference systems came out in the 90s, many predicted that business trips would be cut back along with the associated expenses with this new technology in the workplace. It didn’t work out for most companies and executives as well as many in the team still have to travel to global offices. Nothing beats meeting someone in person.

Our guest for August is Shinji Tsukamoto. He is a cofounder of DUFL, a premium travel service that has a large ambition to change the way we travel. The service has launched in the US, and is fast becoming one of the most talked-about startups with introductions given on CNBC, Fox News, and Bloomberg. Shinji’s job is to launch the service all around the world, including Japan, all from scratch. We thought it would be interesting to introduce the service to you and talk about how it might indeed change the way you travel. He’ll also share with you some of the challenges he sees as a startup in Japan, and challenges to launch services outside Japan from Tokyo.

DUFL is a premium travel service- a personal valet that simplifies business travel by shipping, cleaning and storing your business attire. DUFL stores your clothing in your personal DUFL closet, and allows you to virtually ‘pack’ by selecting your clothing items from within the app. Once you’ve scheduled your trip, you’ll travel– bag free, and your freshly cleaned and neatly packed clothing will meet you at your specified destination. When you’re ready to head home, schedule a pick up from the hotel and we’ll clean your clothes and have them waiting in your virtual closet, ready for your next trip!

Get ready for new perspectives on something every boss does nearly every month.

Date– Thursday, 13 August 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

Tokyo is a city where construction never stops. The market suffered massively after the Global Economic Crisis, or what the Japanese call the Lehman Shock, but has steadily improved in recent years. Commercial tenants seek ways to have modern office space in attractive locations with greater efficiency. Large developers focus on the long-term viability of their target areas for investment and development. The age and number of office workers present additional constraints.

What are the factors driving the market long term and how will supply and demand interact through 2020? In August we’ll have one of Japan’s leading authorities on real estate, Mr. Jim Fink, of Colliers leading the meeting. He will be sharing about some insights, where the trends are leading, and answering questions that relate to a huge part of the CEO’s budget, the facility costs.

You will leave the luncheon gain insights into the corporate real estate market.

Date– Friday, 14 August 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Venue–
Roppongi Hills Club- Roppongi Hills Club- La Cucina Restaurant (Italian)
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

As Japan is getting ready for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and 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 August 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.

BT is a global telecommunications company with a heavy focus on the financial services, manufacturing, health care/life sciences and CPG sectors. BT is 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.

Date– Tuesday, 11 August 2015 1230PM-1400PM
Venue–
Roppongi Hills Club- Roppongi Hills Club- La Cucina Restaurant (Italian)
51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower,
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku,
Tokyo, 106-6151 Japan

The beauty of CEO Insights is the ability to provide answers to issues and other challenges in business from other peers in non-competitive businesses. CI covers a different topic each month and sometimes has outside guest CEOs and other experts come in and speak. In July we will do things slightly differently.

In the July CI meeting, topics will cover a brief “sampler” of various issues. Planned topics are
-Halfway through- How Abenomics Affects My Business
-Positive Influences of the Olympics Thus Far On The Firm
-Japan’s Tourist Boom
-Changes In Tax Law

Looking forward to seeing you in July!

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

Greetings! After a fantastic turn out at the Spring CEO Insights Forum in Midtown, with 44 company CEOs in June, we had many requests afterwards of people asking to have more of a chance to network and talk with each other. Thanks to CI members, we have that opportunity. Many have requested in the first 2 weeks of this month due to travel schedules in July/August. You’ve got it.

Brief Topic: Japanese Art in Western Homes

Tokutaro Yamaguchi of Kyoto’s renowned Shibunkaku Gallery will give a brief 15-minute presentation on placing Japanese Art pieces in Western homes and will provide tips on what to look for when buying art.

Yamaguchi-san has a Masters in East Asian Art from Sotheby’s Institute with a dissertation on “Celebration of eroticisim and imagination in the Floating World in Edo period Japan”, with a Bachelor’s from Central Saint Martins University of Arts London.

The Shibunkaku Group is an art and culture corporation that is dedicated to the promotion of high-quality Japanese art and culture to the international audience and clients.

If you’ve not heard about this yet, please let us know as we only have space for 30 CEOs (half full as of 6 July). The great food is provided by Pembroke Real Estate Japan. CI group only needs to cover our drinks.

When: Wednesday, July 15th 7pm – 9pm
Where: Azabu Gardens (Behind Roppongi Hills: http://www.azabugardens.com/contact/)
Cost: 3,500 yen / person
RSVP: Chie Waijo

To keep it simple we will just send a simple paper invoice for the event in advance. (Please include your exact company name/address.)

Catering by Elio’s
Food Menu: includes a wide range of appetizers, 2 different kind of pasta that the chef will cook on the spot – e.g. Ravioli- and 2 kinds of dessert
Drink Menu: A full drink course including Italian Sparkling wine “Prosecco”, Calabria IGT red and white wine “Villa Orsara”, Sicilian red orange juice, Oolong tea, Mineral water (both gas/no gas).

The Spring CEO Insights Forum held on 3 June was a huge success. Held at the Oakwood Premier property in Tokyo’s Midtown facility, Chief Executives from 44 companies attended. Most attending companies were familiar names in the marketplace, complimented by a small number of entrepreneurs. Feedback following the event gave the event high marks from the participants.

The CIF was opened by organizer Spencer Wolfe from AINEO, and emceed by Doug Hymas of Bank of New York Mellon.  The buffet dinner was kicked off from the beginning with free flowing drinks served throughout the evening.

The first speaker was Jay Nelson, a New York based writer and editor who promotes his subscription newletter named Japan Success Stories. His message of ‘there is still a lot of hope for Japan’ was well received. Times are changing, bringing in challenges by several CEOs who questioned whether or not Japan still had innovation power and a bright future as a producer.

Interactive questions and answers sessions make the CIF very worthwhile. Following the first talk and Q&A, Wolfgang Bierer came up to bat. Mr. Bierer spoke on the transition from print to digital and addressed what CEOs need to be thinking in response to the constantly changing marketplace. He gave great examples on the internet of things and received good reviews from attending CEOs.

Following the second presentation was Mr. Bierer of Endeavor SBC. Mr. Bierer also gave an interesting presentation with a lot of visual and market information.  He answered questions and challenged CEOs to not settle in with their current brand image, ways of communicating with their employees or clients, and to constantly be aware of market changes.

The Spring CEO was a great success and we thank the executives who attended. We look forward to another CEO Insights Forum in the Fall.