CEO Insights Executive Group

2021 Nov (Tues)-The Physics of Talent
2021-11-09 12:30 - 14:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | 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
Talent is the great challenge of humanity for the 21st century. Whereas the previous century saw a great liberation of human ability from antiquated bonds of classism, racism, sexism, and other forms of bigotry, the challenge of the current century will be identifying, refining, and channeling human ability into those avenues most conducive to human thriving. The challenge is all around us, from the elementary school classroom to the industrial factory floor to the corporate boardroom. The liberation, maximization, and coordination of human ability will drive the fate of our species.
What role will private enterprise play in addressing this challenge? All companies struggle with the basic reality that there is simply not enough talent to do everything companies wish to do. The problem manifests in millions of unfilled job openings, a byzantine rent-seeking recruiting industry, costly outsourcing and consulting firms, and a woefully underserved market for corporate training and ‘reskilling’.
Can we accurately quantify talent? Can we then reliably train adults in ways that measurably improve their proficiencies making them demonstrably more effective workers? Can we correlate training inputs to positive business outcomes in a repeatable fashion? The company that figures this out will not only have a massive competitive advantage relative to its peers, but will have also tapped a trillion dollar market that will influence the fates of billions.
Join us for the November CEO Insights luncheon with Jonathan Bethune. Mr. Bethune believes the best way to understand this challenge is by conceiving of it as a physics problem. With the right perspective, companies can refine their approach to corporate training in ways that ensure optimal ROI

2021 Nov (Thur) Japan's Luxury Market Shifts - The New Normal Or Nothing New?
2021-11-18 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club- PROTEUS Room, 51 fl. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
Following the war, Japan rose to the second largest economy in the world. That economic power translated into buying power that brought some of the worlds best brands to the marketplace. As China has arisen and Japan is one of the first countries to experience an aging populace things may have changed. Retailers in the major shopping hubs such as Ginza, Namba, Sakae may have seen a transition from local buyers to international visitors from around Asia buying up their fine products. Where is the Japan market heading for luxury goods? Who is the target audience? What are the types of products that they are most interested in within luxury?

In the November, we are pleased to welcome Mr.Nicolas Villeger , the new representative director and CEO of Louis Vuitton brand in Japan, and fellow CI network member. Mr. Villeger is no stranger to great products as the former president of Coach Asia, VP of Tesla, as well as executive roles at Longchamp and Este Lauder. He will share his thoughts on

the current market in Japan and COVID impact
the interdependency of the luxury markets in Asia and influence of China
personal views on the future key strategies for growth

Join us for this fascinating talk on the state of the luxury goods market. It will be interesting to compare with the thoughts of Chopard’s boss earlier this year.

Members, please RSVP below to secure your seat. Guest c-levels please contact us to check for availability in the meeting.

2021 Dec (Thur) Year End Wrap Up- Better Boss, Better Business
2021-12-02 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo American Club Central (Nihonbashi), 3-2-1, Nihonbashi Muromachi (Nihonbashi Muromachi Mitsui Tower 6F), Chuo, Tokyo, 103-0022, Japan
PLEASE NOTE VENUE IS DIFFERENT-
As yet another year closes, many executive offices are reviewing what worked and what didn’t, what sold and what didn’t, what blew up and what overflowed. In addition to national responsibility, many of our member CEOs have other countries in Asia as well as Australia/New Zealand reporting to them. Growth is about reflecting on management mistakes as well as building management successes.
The December CEO Insights meetings is one of the most popular and well attended meetings as executives get ready for the Christmas holidays and year’s end. This will be likely be your last chance to rub elbows with Asia’s top Tokyo-based CEOs and leadership.
Don’t miss it!
*Space is extremely limited (to 10 bosses) due to the room. Please be sure to register below.
**VENUE – Please note that the meeting will be held in Nihonbashi (not Roppongi) this month. If you are a member of the Tokyo American Club, you can pay directly at the venue. For guests, please bring 3,500 JPY cash. If you would like to pay via bank transfer please let us know in advance.
***Parking Available up to 4 hours.

2021 Dec (Tues) Year End Wrap Up- Better Boss, Better Business
2021-12-07 12:30 - 14:00 | Tokyo American Club Central (Nihonbashi), 3-2-1, Nihonbashi Muromachi (Nihonbashi Muromachi Mitsui Tower 6F), Chuo, Tokyo, 103-0022, Japan
PLEASE NOTE VENUE IS DIFFERENT-
As yet another year closes, many executive offices are reviewing what worked and what didn’t, what sold and what didn’t, what blew up and what overflowed. In addition to national responsibility, many of our member CEOs have other countries in Asia as well as Australia/New Zealand reporting to them. Growth is about reflecting on management mistakes as well as building management successes.
The December CEO Insights meetings is one of the most popular and well attended meetings as executives get ready for the Christmas holidays and year’s end. This will be likely be your last chance to rub elbows with Asia’s top Tokyo-based CEOs and leadership.
Don’t miss it!
*Space is extremely limited (to 10 bosses) due to the room. Please be sure to register below.
**VENUE – Please note that the meeting will be held in Nihonbashi (not Roppongi) this month. If you are a member of the Tokyo American Club, you can pay directly at the venue. For guests, please bring 3,500 JPY cash. If you would like to pay via bank transfer please let us know in advance.
***Validated Parking Available up to 4 hours.

POSTPONED- 2022 Jan (Tues)
2022-01-11 12:30 - 14:00
THIS EVENT has been moved to 20 January. There will be no event on 11 January.

2022 Jan (Thur) The Metaverse: Who, When, How, and Why?
2022-01-20 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
What is the Metaverse? Why did such a massive entity like Facebook make the risky move of rebranding itself META?
Understanding the metaverse is complicated, especially because it doesn’t exist yet. Although interoperability is a long way off, the term has become a catch-all for new digital, immersive, and social spaces encompassing gaming platforms, NFTs, VR, AR, cryptocurrencies and online marketplaces.
Some very big companies are putting big money into this space, and money tends to make things happen.
Let’s talk about which companies are likely to be the major players? Will efforts to create a unified metaverse or a multi-verse configuration likely succeed?
How other companies can get involved in a commercial sense?
What will be the dominant technology VR or AR? How will NFTs, cryptocurrencies and blockchain be involved?
It may be fun to explore how each of the members feels about living in a virtual world versus the real world. It seems different age groups feel differently about this.
Don’t miss this interactive session led by Excape Entertainment CEO Mr. James Fiorillo

Hot legal topics in Japan - Is Your Business Keeping Up?
2022-02-08 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
In the February network lunch, we will welcome back Baker McKenzie Partner Jean-Denis Marx for a tour of legal issues in Japan. Mr. Marx is a seasoned attorney with a robust array of legal business experience. We plan to touch on
> Changes affecting online platforms (privacy issues, ecommerce, online slander)
> The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
> Foreign direct investments restrictions in Japan and elsewhere
This is a non-limitative list. The lunch will be interactive and Mr. Marx has accepted to discuss any other issues you would like to bring to the table.

Bitcoin — A Revolution Disguised As A Get Rich Scheme?
2022-02-17 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
Last year US headline inflation hit a 39 year record high 7%. The Fed is signaling rate rises this year in attempt to quell this inflation, meanwhile the US sovereign debt sits at an unprecedented $30 trillion. How much can the Fed really raise rates in this environment? Where is monetary policy headed as governments of the world seek to manage debt and structural deficits while paying for ever increasing social security while fighting a global pandemic? Finally, how does Bitcoin fit in with all this, and how is it different to alternative cryptocurrencies, private sector payment (Alipay, PayPay, etc., ) or even Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
In the February CI network meeting, we will welcome a special guest (that will go unnamed). This gentlemen hails from the United Kingdom and is very active in the the topic area personally. In this interactive discussion, we will cover

Is Bitcoin digital gold?
Bitcoin’s killer app: self-sovereignty and security.
Bitcoin’s Achilles Heel: Privacy?

This is what many of you have been asking for so we’re excited to share this information in our group. Please remember to RSVP. Last month we couldn’t get everyone around the table but thankfully we were able to get everyone in the room.

Industry In Upheaval- The Future Of The Global Automotive Market
2022-03-08 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
The global auto industry stands on the brink of unprecedented change and upheaval. From the challenges of electrification and autonomous driving to the arrival of interloping upstarts from Silicon Valley and China, the global car business is undergoing a once-in-a-century transformation. Unprecedented sums of money are being invested on future technologies as automakers – old and new – race to make inroads into uncharted territory, banking on a future that is anything but guaranteed. What bets will pay off? Which automakers will survive the fight? And what will cars look like in the decades to come? In an age of uncertainty, the only inevitability is that there will be winners and losers.
Hans Greimel, Asia Editor for Automotive News, will discuss these topics and more, from his perch in Tokyo where he has covered Japanese automakers and their Asian rivals since 2007. Hans recently co-authored a book about the Nissan-Carlos Ghosn scandal, “Collision Course, Carlos Ghosn and the Culture Wars that Upended an Auto Empire,” published in June 2021 by Harvard Business Review Press. Detroit-based Automotive News was founded in 1925. It is the leading source of automotive news and the newspaper of record for the global industry.

March Tuesday Group Event
2022-03-08 12:30 - 14:00

Why I Quit My Job to Start An NFT Company
2022-03-17 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
This month, we’ll finish the third and final installment on digital commerce. In the Thursday CEO Insights group, we’ve discussed the metaverse, Bitcoin, and we’ll close the cyber series with the hot topic of NFTs. Is it something that affects our businesses? The answer to the question may vary but we’re excited to welcome Mr. Marty Roberts.

Dr. Marty Roberts, PhD, is psychologist, spent 20 years in healthcare, and a serial entrepreneur. Marty quit his job to use NFTs to make graffiti artists cash with his new start up www.totemo.art. Join us for this riveting discussion on

What are NFTs and what does this technology promise
What industries they will mostly impact
Why a c-level would quit his day job to work in the industry

We’re excited to wrap up the digital series with another person who is not selling us something, but actually giving us a glimpse of their business.
Reserve your space below

Bitcoin RELOADED— A Financial Revolution?
2022-04-12 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan

Spring Reception With Tokyo's Leading CEOs
2022-04-14 18:30 - 20:30 | The Grand Hyatt @ Roppongi Hills, 6-10-3 Roppongi 6F, Minato, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan
Our network of CEOs and other c-levels from diverse industries such as banking, power generation, technology, consumer products, luxury good and countless others are excited to gather for what was supposed to be a Spring reception back in 2021. That never worked out, but now the stops are all out. On Thursday, 14 April 2022, the CEO Insights members will gather to welcome the new year and SPRING to, reconnect with peers in our network, and even meet new guest CEOs.
To kick off 2022, we will gather for food and drinks in Tokyo’s swanky Roppongi district. The meeting will be held at The Oak Door Steakhouse the event will be pay as you go.
Space is limited so please sign up soon to secure your spot.

POSTPONED TO MAY - How Situational Leadership Skills Can Transform Your Organization
2022-04-21 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MAY 19th. THERE WILL BE NO EVENT ON 21 APRIL
Every c-level struggles with developing great teams and leaders. Often times, a manager’s preferred leadership style is not always correct and that can result in retention issues or worse, disengaged staff.
In the April CI luncheon we will welcome HR executive, Ken Cogger, who will introduce you to how he uses situational leadership in his organization in Japan and in the global offices. Situational Leadership is a framework in which difference in proficiency is regarded as difference in situation and an approach corresponding to the difference will enhance the manager’s effectiveness.
The framework was developed back in 1969 by Ken Blanchard to build a stronger, more flexible organization at a time when most companies were run with only one style.
Situational leaders can

avoid over-supervision and under-supervision
improve engagement
increase productivity
beat ambiguity and uncertainty

Enjoy this opportunity to learn how to better your staff from a new perspective. RSVP below to secure your spot.

Using Situational Leadership Skills To Transform Your Team
2022-05-19 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
Every c-level struggles with developing great teams and leaders. Often times, a manager’s preferred leadership style is not always correct and that can result in retention issues or worse, disengaged staff.
In the April CI luncheon we will welcome HR executive, Ken Cogger, who will introduce you to how he uses situational leadership in his organization in Japan and in the global offices. Situational Leadership is a framework in which difference in proficiency is regarded as difference in situation and an approach corresponding to the difference will enhance the manager’s effectiveness.
The framework was developed back in 1969 by Ken Blanchard to build a stronger, more flexible organization at a time when most companies were run with only one style.
Situational leaders can

avoid over-supervision and under-supervision
improve engagement
increase productivity
beat ambiguity and uncertainty

Enjoy this opportunity to learn how to better your staff from a new perspective. RSVP below to secure your spot.

ESGs and Sustainability- What You Really Need To Know
2022-06-16 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
For some, ESGs and Sustainability are processes to live by. For other organizations, they are just the latest fad or buzz words which managers like to capitalize on. But sustainability is a serious movement with many angles touching diverse corners of our social and economic life with far reaching structural consequences that will shape our consumption and production behaviors in the long run. One of the key areas we will feel the products of its presence is food production.
In the June CEO Insights meeting, Mr. Erol Emed of Soul of Japan will be discussing their business model and why investors and market players are supporting the sustainable food production model they have built their business on. He will discuss:
– What are the economic, social, and environmental developments behind the drive in food sustainability
-How sustainability and ESGs built Soul of Japan’s business
-The future of ESG and sustainability wave (it is not a wave you can ride to gain economic benefit, but a structural trend which you will ignore at your own peril)
-The dark side of the climate cult
Join for another insightful meeting at CEO Insights! Reservations required.
Bio- Mr. Erol Emed
Bachelor of Science, Middle East Technology University, Ankara, 1985. Master of Arts, International University Japan, Niigata, 1989. Master of Science, Oxford University, England, 2001.
Career
Currently CEO of Soul of Japan K.K.- Asia and Japan’s largest land based salmon farming venture funded by 8F Aquaculture Fund I, and managed by private equity firm 8F Asset Management
Previously run his own consulting firm, worked at Thomson Reuters as Senior Director, as Head of Research at a Hedge Fund, and as Executive Director, Chief Investment Officer, and Head of Alternative Investment at Societe Generale Asset Management Japan (currently known as Amundi Japan)

Where Are The Best Investments?- Investor's CIRCLE Breakfast
2022-07-13 08:00 - 09:30 | The Grand Hyatt @ Roppongi Hills, 6-10-3 Roppongi 6F, Minato, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan
—–REGISTRATION REQUIRED—-
As a group of focused executives running great brands in Asia, CEO Insights tends to focus on leadership areas. There is not too much time to talk about the personal side outside of business.
In July, we’ll change that by dedicating a meeting to talk about personal investments. We will have the ‘Investor’s Circle’. In this special joint CI breakfast, we will be discussing the best places to put your resources, the timing, and the pluses and minuses. You will learn how to increase what you have for you, your family, and your dynasty to come.
Join us for a small investors group breakfast at Tokyo’s Grand Hyatt restaurant to discuss

market trading and the affects of the current market fluctuations on investments
gold, silver, and precious metals
the opportunities with real estate investments nationally and abroad
cyber currencies

You do not need to be an expert in this area, just be ready to share what you know and learn more. We are inviting specialists from real estate, finance, and even cyber currency to enhance this special meeting.
Come join us for this special breakfast and expand your future. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED.
**Please note we will be meeting in the private room “Wine Table” within the Grand Hyatt’s reknowned French Kitchen restaurant. Space is limited to 8 CEOs.

From Thirty Million Visitors to Zero, and Back? -- Rethinking Travel in Japan as the Border Re-opens
2022-07-21 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
An American residing in Japan since 1996, Carl founded and successfully sold a software localization company. He served as President of the Harvard Club of Japan from 2008-2016. Carl has consulted for companies including Uniqlo and has been an independent director at two mid-sized Japanese companies.
Since 2014 Carl has run Tokyo Way KK, a travel company he founded to serve the high-end inbound market of travelers seeking deep cultural experiences in Japan. He used some of the travel industry downtime during the pandemic to become Japan’s first Transformational Travel Designer as certified by the Transformational Travel Council (USA). He is co-author of a book on Japan’s services sector and taught at Meiji University Business school.

The presentation will cover three topics:
1. Brief update on current inbound travel situation in Japan
2. An overview of business models for the travel industry and Japan’s particular characteristics
3. What HNW individuals seek in travel to Japan, based on his own company’s experience with that segment

Join us for this fascinating event that will give you ideas for both your business and your personal lives.

Show Business- What Does It Take To Make It?
2022-08-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
There’s no business like show business… as the song goes at least. Movies, films, video.. we see a lot of successful films that come out. There are thousands of others that are not exactly so successful. In fact they probably lose money. What does it take to produce a movie? What are the costs, the popular genres, and other challenges to surmount? The good news is we can get answers to these questions directly from someone who has produced a film and is a regular CI networker.
In August, Stefan Sacre will be sharing his insights on a film he produced for his native market back in Germany. He’ll share his thoughts on this business and what he experienced. His years of business experience, keen eye for imagery, and Japan experience surely helped guide him in this creative venture.

Can Tokyo Become That Financial POWER House Now?
2022-09-13 12:30 - 14:00 | The Oak Door Steakhouse, 6th Floor Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan
Hong Kong and Singapore used to be amongst the ‘go to’ destinations for global businesses who wanted to establish regional headquarters in APAC. Every multi-national who wanted to have a global presence just had to have an office in one or both of these locations. But with growing geopolitical tensions over Hong Kong and Greater China, increasingly protectionist trends in Singapore and overly restrictive pandemic measures in both cities, these places no longer hold the same appeal. Perfect chance for Japan to step in with Tokyo as an option for MNCs around the world. Of course, Japan is not exactly perfect with fewer fluent English speakers or higher surface taxation than Singapore for example, but Tokyo has a lot of potential and advantages, a lot of which Japan has been sometimes clumsy at highlighting.
This bid by Japan and Tokyo to re-establish itself once again as a global financial center like London or New York has been in the news for a few years now. Can Japan step up to the plate and start hitting some homeruns that would bring in the MNCs? We’ll find out about Japan and Tokyo’s new strategy and concrete actions in September at the CI network lunch. We’ll welcome Mr. Laurent Depus, an ambassador for FinCity Tokyo, the promotional organ of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, established in 2019 in close coordination with Japan’s central government (FinCity.Tokyo | The Organization of Global Financial City Tokyo). He is also a board member of SMBC Trust Bank with years of experience in Finance in Japan and globally. Laurent will share with us

What Japan is doing to attract global companies back to Japan
Challenges from the outside to Tokyo becoming a financial center
Regulatory changes necessary in order to keep this transformation moving

Join us for another fantastic event that will help you see the inside story as things transform around us.
More About Mr. Depus
A Belgian citizen, Laurent began his banking career in 1987 at the Chase Manhattan Bank in Luxembourg and has held senior leadership positions in the financial services industry for 35 years in Europe, South-East Asia and, since 1988, in Japan.
Experience in Banking, Securities, Trust Banking and Wealth Management, across US, European and Japanese institutions.
Appointed as a Director of the International Bankers Association in Japan (IBAJ) in 2012 and Vice Chairman in 2020-2021.
Chief Country Representative for France’s Societe Generale Group in Japan (2001-2013) and Natixis CIB (2014-2021)
In 2013, he joined SMBC Trust Bank as Chairman and Director upon the acquisition by SMBC of the Societe Generale Trust Banking license.
He has served as a Director of the Board at SMBC Trust Bank since its establishment.
He is the Representative Director of Escapade Japan Co. Ltd. supporting companies on governance, strategy and organizational matters.
(5) Laurent Depus | LinkedIn

“That Country Manager Has to Go!”
2022-09-15 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
That country manager has to go! This is a theme more common than you would expect. So many MNCs are chronically dissatisfied with who’s running the show for them in Japan that one of our members has built a business stepping into the breech on an “interim” basis. Some of these engagements run a few weeks and others last for years. This should be a lively round table discussion of how expectations get so far out of alignment and who’s to blame.
About Our Moderator-
Join the CEO Insights Network and member CEO Leo Keeley. Leo is one of the more well-known figures in the Japanese IT industry, with 25 years of sales, management and technology leadership experience. After receiving his BS from Bentley University and MBA from Suffolk University, Leo headed to Japan where he studied the Japanese language and business culture. He founded Japan B2B Sales (originally Japan Leadership) in 2004. The firm’s charter is to grow revenue, increase profitability and improve organizational efficiency for US IT firms. Clients have included Computer Associates, Dassault Systemes, HP, Peregrine Systems and Symantec. Prior to Japan B2B Sales, Leo served as VP – APAC-Japan for Ariba, Inc. He was successful in boosting sales and profitability as well as extricating the firm from an acrimonious joint venture in Japan.

OFF The Beaten Path- On The Sumida River
2022-09-29 14:30 - 18:00
By popular request, we are excited for a Tokyo discovery tour with Tokyo WAY CEO Mr. Carl Kay. He will be taking us off the beaten path to show us the blossoming Kuramae area along the Sumida River. You will get a chance to hear the history and see how the area is changing with its famous sites, skilled artisan entrepreneurs, and fantastic food.
This special tour is chance for you to experience the Tokyo that most people never see. The group size is extremely limited due to the nature of the tour. Please reserve your spot immediately if you intend to go.
*There is no charge from Tokyo Way or costs to cover for CEO Insights members. We suggest you support the local businesses by buying things if you see something you like along the way.
See you there!
**Unfortunately, we cannot accept walk ins for this event. If you cannot reserve a spot, please let us know and we will try to wait list you for an opening

Selling A New Business Idea to HQ and Making It Successful
2022-10-20 12:30 - 14:00 | Wine Private Room, French Kitchen 2nd Floor Grand Hyatt Tokyo 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan
One of the biggest challenges of being the CEO of a company with the headquarters outside of Japan is dealing with the HQ. People are always coming in looking to ‘advise’ and contribute their thoughts on what needs to be done as Japan can’t be all that different from other markets. Some with good intention and experience, while other ‘advisors’ might be qualified in their respective markets but lack local market and cultural experience. This is a common challenge for CEOs of foreign companies in Japan. Creative CEOs can be very successful if they are given a license. Building a new concept or customized product for the market can reap great rewards.

In the August CI lunch, we will welcome Andre Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman is a Swiss with a long time footprint in Japan. In 2010, he founded Lindt & Sprungli Japan and rolled out a very successful new business line for Lindt, one of the world’s largest Chocolatiers. The idea he built was Lindt Chocolate Cafes for people to enjoy Lindt chocolates along with a cup of coffee or tea (even Swiss herb tea). Whilst initial challenges were overwhelming, eventually, things went well and there are now 78 retail stores from Okinawa to Hokkaido.

Enjoy a great success story that will likely give you insights into how you can sell a concept to HQ and make it very successful.

Oct Thursday Group Event
2022-10-20 12:30 - 14:00

Where Is Japan's Economy Going? A Talk With Jesper Koll
2022-11-08 12:30 - 14:00 | The Oak Door Steakhouse, 6th Floor Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan
Japan has what it takes to be an economic superpower. As new global realities and national rivalries force unprecedented challenges and uncertainty for global leaders, Japan’s social resilience, political stability, corporate competitiveness, technocratic pragmatism, and private-sector innovation potential are poised to deliver positive upside surprises and real opportunities. No one doubts the potential; but can Japan really outperform on its own merits?

Join renowned economist Jesper Koll in person to learn:

Where to find growth opportunities
How your business can engage and profit from Japan’s new upcycle
What forces could derail progress
Why Japan’s demographic destiny is an overarching positive force for next-generation leaders and citizens

About the Speaker
An economist, angel investor, patron and, yes, Japan optimist, Jesper Koll has been researching and investing in Japan since becoming a resident in 1986. Over the past two decades, he has been consistently recognized as one of the top Japan strategists/economists, having worked as chief strategist and head of research for US investment banks J.P. Morgan and Merrill Lynch. He currently serves as global ambassador and expert director for the Monex Group and the Japan Catalyst Fund, Japan’s first retail investor-based corporate engagement/activist fund.

Koll’s analysis and insights have earned him a position on several Japanese government and corporate advisory committees, including Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike’s advisory board. In 2022, he was appointed global ambassador for Tokyo’s financial center initiative. He also serves as board director of the Okinawa Institute for Science and Technology and is a founder and board director of Asia Society Japan, where he heads the Policy Committee.

One of the few non-Japanese members of the Keizai Doyukai, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, Koll also serves on the board of several Japan-based startups and has written three books in Japanese. In 2021, he created the acclaimed video podcast series Japan—Capitalism that Works.

Navigating Japan’s Retail Jungle- Establishing An International Fashion Brand
2022-11-17 12:30 - 14:00 | The Oak Door Steakhouse, 6th Floor Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan
If you’ve been to a retail shop in Tokyo, Osaka, or maybe one of the many malls around Japan you may not realize the work that it takes to open. Hundreds of brands come to Japan. Some are massively successful while others may be more of a ‘flash in the pan’. Besides having a big name, brands must have a momentum of marketing, product develop, locations, and most importantly the interest of the customers. For Japan, it’s a retail jungle out there and chances of survival are low.
In the November CI luncheon will we welcome our own member Mr. Wolfgang Bierer. He has brought many brands to Japan and successfuly seeded and run them in the market. Brands such as Mephisto, Porsche Design, Bree, Calida, have thrived under Mr. Bierer’s leadership. Wolfgang will share on the journey through the retail “jungle”, how he established brands, improved IT processes, the biggest potential pitfalls, and the best strategies that helped make his brands successful.
Join us for another insightful lunch of Japan’s top CEOs.

Investors Circle #2- Where To Put Your Personal Time and Money
2022-12-15 08:00 - 09:30 | The French Kitchen- Grand Hyatt, 6-10-3 Roppongi, 2nd Floor Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0032
Back by popular demand! This is the second in our ‘Investors Circle’ series. This event is not about hiring, warehousing, or marketing of your products. The investors circle is a personal event where we learn from each other as well as guest specialists about what we can do to be successful personally. In this special lunch we will continue or discussion on investments, the stock market, and FOREX. If you are interested in

Real Estate
Stock Market/Forex
Cyber Currencies
Other ways to increase your ROI

Be sure to be there.
**Spaces are limited to the first 10 members.
***Meeting at French Kitchen in Grand Hyatt

Planning For Overflow Growth In The New Year For Your Organization
2023-02-02 12:30 - 14:00 | Roppongi Hills Club – Restaurants, 51F Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-6151, Japan
CEOs are tasked with giving motivation and vision to their teams nationally and sometimes around the globe. It’s a lot of work to build a business. Sometimes life can be ‘lonely at the top” as c-levels don’t always get the tools, knowledge, and encouragement they need to take their firms to the next level.

As we open up the new year, CI network member bosses will get a chance to build their skills and better identify their targets and goals in the New Year. We’re excited to welcome executive coach Mr. Philippe Grall to our first lunch of the year. Philippe will lead us in an event to help bring out what you really want to be to achieve your goals in 2023.

This luncheon will be a joint event and space is limited. Please sign up early to secure your spot. See you on 2 Feb 2023 at 1230!

More About Mr. Grall–
Philippe is one of the world’s top personal coaches. He helps successful executives move into the realms beyond leadership and become inspiring role models — not only for their employees but for their families, friends, and all the people they influence.
His clients include international C-level executives from some of the world’s most prestigious companies, including Godiva, LVMH in Asia, Chanel, L’Oreal, Van Cleef & Arpels, Abbvie, and Amgen Biopharma.

Last year he was the co-author, with other world-renowned coaches, of a book, COACH ME Your personal board of directors.

CI Superbowl- The Ultimate Offsite
2023-02-13 07:30 - 22:30 | Tokyo American Club, 2-1-2 Azabudai, Minato-ku Tokyo, Japan
Strap in for a Monday morning like no other at Tokyo’s biggest Super Bowl party!
Catch every touchdown and tackle of the NFL Game Pass-streamed game live from Glendale, Arizona—with English commentary and the famous Super Bowl halftime show and commercials—all while enjoying a morning of game-day classics, drinks and cool prizes.
This is a joint CI event within the Tokyo American Club’s annual Superbowl bash. It’s less about the game and more about catching up with your c-level peers and friends.

How To Turn YouTube and Social Media Into An Invaluable Marketing Tool
2023-02-14 12:30 - 14:00 | The Oak Door Steakhouse, 6th Floor Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan
As the smartphone has killed the digital camera, YouTube and other social media has likely taken it’s toll on broadcast television around the world. What exactly is the power behind online marketing? How can it make or break your business? Recently, when asked by where youth saw their future careers in Japan, one in three responded that they would like to become a famous YouTuber.
In the February CEO Insights, we will welcome someone who has done it. Norm Nakamura has been building new models for business. His YouTube channel is popular and boasts Just under 700,000 subscribers with content grabbing up to 13,000,000 views per post. Norm will be sharing how he went from salaryman to entrepreneur and has taken advantage of the paradigm shift to online. He did not stop at one business but is in the process of starting multiple others. In the lunch we will talk about
– Where does the money come from?
– The Real Game – Has VERY little to do with making videos
– What happens when youtube disappears?
We look forward to seeing you in the November lunch. In the meantime, check out “Tokyo Lens” if you’d like to get a head start on the event.
