The Meeting

So I had my first presentation before the executives of my firm. For the most part, I covered the experience of my training over four months, evaluating my training locations in terms of leadership, culture, personnel development, and effort. In addition, I proposed a plan for improvement given the reasons I presented on specific performance gaps.

This was my first formal presentation to Japanese businessmen (there are no woman executives here) in the Japanese language. I wasn't particularly nervous except for the beginning of the presentation and at certain moments trying to explain areas of my evaluations. I think my presentation came as a shock to some of management because I was pretty strict on my evaluation scores, benchmarking the firm against my previous employer, Denso, the top auto parts supplier in the world and born out of Toyota.  I think some were expecting a light-hearted affair, basically a simple recounting of my training sprinkled with a few thoughts on the people and the tasks--I suspect many traditionally trained Japanese would follow this route.

But, personally, I felt like I wasn't hired to fall into line with the current system and kiss butt. Rather I came in here to affect constructive change, help do away with the 'same old' and bring in the 'new'. Overall, however, the reception was good and most of the management applauded my attempt to 'shock' the system. The discussion after the meeting was very interesting and could have kept going if it wasn't for the time.

After the in-meeting discussion, it was time for "No-mmunication". This is communication lubricated by alcoholic consumption, which is presented in the verb form in Japanese as "nomu". Nomu + communication and presto! a new, handy Japanese-English hybrid word that the Japanese love to create. And I love nommunication. We had a good chat over some typical Japanese side dishes, drinking an assortment of beer and sake. I'm fortunate most of the people I've spent the most time with here at the firm like and appreciate my personality. This is something I was unsure would happen coming in as the only foreigner, but things are clicking and I plan on making the most of any leverage I can accrue to utilize my abilities and help improve the firm's competitive position.

Now that the presentation is over, I will be moving on to my next project. I won't be revealing any details that could damage the firm, but will just continue illustrating what it is like to work in the logistics industry in Asia and the barriers often faced--strategic and tactical.