Scaling Japan Podcast

This is the fourth episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.  In this fourth episode, we are delighted to welcome David Macdonald, founder and CEO of DJMAC. His company specializes in corporate consulting and advisory, particularly in global and intercultural business challenges, drawing upon his extensive experience at Docomo, Disney, and YouTube, as well as his role as an outside director at KADOKAWA Corporation. Join us as David shares his journey as one of YouTube's early executives in Japan and Asia, and how he led the team that expanded the creator economy in the region. Starting with just 5 team members, David grew it to over 50 in 5 years, benefiting tens of thousands of YouTubers and businesses. Show notes: 00:00 Introduction 1:26 What is the “Creator Economy”? 2:38 Competitive Advantage 3:17 Stage 1 and the History of Youtube in Japan 7:25 Localization of the Market 10:12 Talent Scouting Youtubers and Partners 16:05 Tips on Getting Partners on Board 19:07 The Turning Point of Youtube 28:35 Importance of Localized Content 34:40 Who are the Right People to Hire? 37:22 What Defines Stage 2? 41:46 Challenges of Youtube 47:55 Takeaways from the Interview 49:08 What’s Next? --- Links from Guest Appearance : Linkedin | DJMAC --- Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !! We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino. This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers. ⁠⁠⁠https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

This is the third episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast.  In this third episode, Elizabeth Anne Kyle shares her journey of growing Arigato Travel from its humble beginnings as a cooking class to becoming an prominent inbound tourism company in Japan. As the founder and CEO of a company with over 500 trained guides and is the #1 Culinary Tours Company in Japan, she reflects on her experiences as a solopreneur and how her vision turned into a successful tourism business. Join us as we delve into Elizabeth's story to discover how she turned her passion into a successful venture, enriching guests' experiences with profound and unforgettable experiences. --- This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at ⁠hashimedia.com⁠ --- Show notes: 00:00 Introduction and about Arigato Travel 03:59 Target market & competitive advantage 07:56 Stage 1 12:28 : Challenges & Solution in Stage 1 19:33 : Advantages for a foreigner in Stage 1 32:41 Adapting your personality to the business 34:47 Stage 2 (going from food tour to full plan inbound) 40:51 Importance of a good Internship program for a business 44:15 Having good accounting in Stage 2 49:10 Challenges during the pandemic 54:51 How to maintain service quality as you scale 57:42 What's next for Arigato Travel? --- Links from Guest Appearance : ⁠Linkedin⁠ | Arigato Travel --- Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !! We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino. This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers. ⁠⁠https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

This is the second episode of our new series Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episodes, so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast. In this second episode, Bela Schweiger will share his story as an expert in scaling Häagen-Dazs. With an impressive track record including collaborations with major brands like The Coca-Cola Company, Nokia, General Mills, and L’Orèal, Bela shares his knowledge into spearheading the transformation of Häagen-Dazs in Japan and pioneering AI-driven ESG solutions for the Japanese market. Join us in today's episode as we look into Bela's experiences with innovative strategies and strategic partnerships that drove the successful revamp of Häagen-Dazs, imparting valuable lessons for businesses in the Japanese market. --- This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at hashimedia.com --- Show notes: 00:00: Introduction 02:14: What type of companies do you typically help to expand the Japanese market? 11:05: Advice on scaling your business and brand in Japan 14:50: About Häagen-Dazs coming into the Japanese market 24:40: About innovation and new product development 31:32: What was the situation when Häagen-Dazs first brought you in? 35:46: Dynamic change in Häagen-Dazs Japan 39:22: Brainstorming and its role in scaling up your business 45:10: Case Study of Costco Japan wanting a product due to a Korean Manga 46:32: Problems faced with Häagen-Dazs 49:28: Overcoming problems through the use of vending machines 53:05: Secret to scaling --- Links from Guest Appearance : Linkedin | Life-Lab --- Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !! We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino. This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers. ⁠https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

This is a very special episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. It will be our first of many episodes on Japan Scalers. In this series, we will only interview guests who have surpassed 100 million yen in revenue annually. We have many interesting guests lined up for the upcoming episode, so make sure to follow us on social media and stay up to date with the podcast. In this first episode, Tyson himself will share his story as the co-founder of One Coin English, an English language school. With over 8000 students and a team of 200+ employees, Tyson shares how he scaled the company from scratch, leveraging unbeatable pricing and strategic locations. Overcoming initial trust hurdles, he overcame challenges like teacher recruitment and promotional overflow. Tyson walks us through the stages of growth, from proving the business model to expanding to multiple schools. He emphasizes the importance of building a resilient team, seizing timing advantages, and transitioning from founder to business leader. Show Notes : 0:00: Introduction1:12: What company do you scale?2:35: What was your company’s competitive advantage?2:57: Problems faced during this scaling process4:42: Stage 1: What were the stages of One Coin English?5:17: Advantages and how you utilized them8:39: Challenges faced at this stage10:24: Unique insights12:50: How did you adapt your personality at this stage?16:05: Stage 2 of Once Coin English: can we actually scale this business model or not?17:09: Advantages and how you utilized them in stage 2?20:10: Challenges faced at this stage21:35 Unique insights22:44: How did you adapt your personality at this stage?26:33: Stage 3: Becoming a professional company.& advantages at this stage30:30: Challenges faced at this stage36:07: Unique insights --- Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !! We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino. This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers. https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

Welcome to another episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast. Today we're joined by Scott Scofield, CEO of COVUE. COVUE is well-known as a brand operator in Japan where they provide a full-service market entry platform into Japan. From import to logistics to retail, COVUE is a one-stop solution for foreign brands who wish to enter Japan.  We are gonna do a two-part series with Scott with part one on e-commerce systems in Japan and part two will focus on logistics, compliance, and the other parts after selling. --- This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at ⁠hashimedia.com⁠ --- Links from Guest Appearance: COVUE Scott Scofield LinkedIn --- Show Notes: 00:00: Introduction2:36: What is Rakuten?8:24: Challenges of creating an account10:35: Restrictions on opening an account13:26: Unique insights on Rakuten’s loyalty point system20:21: About Amazon34:17: Further insights on Amazon36:10: About Yahoo Shopping53:12: Is it easy to create an account in Yahoo Shopping? --- Exciting News for Getting More Sales in Japan !! We are thrilled to launch our live cohort course: "Mastering Sales Decks for the Japanese Market" hosted by Tyson Batino. This online program is for CEOs and sales professionals eager to enhance their sales pitches and improve their chances of securing meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers. ⁠⁠https://scalingyourcompany.com/salespamphlet/⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

As angel investing is becoming more popular in Japan, this episode we are joined by Yuki Shirato who is an investment lawyer that works in M&A and runs Yakumi.co, a Japanese angel syndicate. Yuki Shirato talks about how he got into his career and shares his experience as an angel investor. He further delves into what exactly angel investing is, what kind of businesses it is suitable for and what profiles investors are looking for. Links from Guest Appearance  LinkedIn Yakumi.co Show Notes (0:45) Yuki Shirato’s self introduction (1:40) How Yuki Shirato became an angel investor (3:50) What is an angel syndicate (6:27) Types of business that are suitable and that aren’t suitable for angel investment (8:01) 3 stages of the early business stage in Japan (13:08) Difference between a start up and normal business (15:06) What types of data metrics do angel investors look for (16:27) Angel investment in Japan (20:50) Characteristics of founders who have scaled successfully (26:28) Characteristics of founders that were unsuccessful in scaling --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Takuo Urushihara, who serves as the Program Manager (international) for Venture Café Tokyo. Recommended by acquaintances for his expertise in community building, Takuo has spearheaded the growth of Venture Cafés, initially beginning with events in Tokyo and expanding to numerous other cities across Japan and throughout Asia. His efforts have successfully attracted both Japanese locals and foreigners to participate in their events, showcasing the inclusive nature of their initiatives. In this podcast, Takuo discusses communities that exist in Japan, what Japanese and Foreign guests seek from venture cafes, and insights on building a community! --- This Episode is brought to you by Hashi Media, your agency for doing influencer marketing in Japan. They have helped major brands like Asus, Subway, and Alibaba, but they have also helped smaller companies with their social media and influencer marketing in Japan for both the foreign population and the Japanese market. Learn more at ⁠hashimedia.com⁠ --- Links from Guest Appearance: LinkedIn Venture Cafe Tokyo Venture Cafe Tokyo - Events Show Notes: 00:00: Introduction 3:31: About CIC and venture cafes 7:35: What type of communities exist in Japan? 14:42: The concept of "online salon" communities in Japan 19:03: What do both Japanese and Foreign guests seek from venture cafes and start-up events in a multicultural community? 27:28: What do both Japanese and Foreign guests seek from venture cafes and start-up events in a Japanese community? 29:52 Insights on building the core group of a community 42:19: Networking culture in Japan vs. America 45:10: Tips for growing your community --- Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome once again Robert Purss, Founder and Managing Director of McLaren Group. Following our discussion in Part 1, we will explore the ways to find the right marketing agency for your company. This includes paying for and evaluating pitches from agencies, when you should ask for a second-round pitch, and how to structure your contract and scope of engagement. Here's the link for those who missed part 1 : https://scalingyourcompany.com/marketing-agencies-in-japan-part-1-with-robert-purss/ Links from Guest Appearance: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠McLaren Group Marketing⁠ ⁠Marketing Agencies Presentation Slides⁠ Show Notes: 01:59 Recap for Part 1 09:55 How to find the right agency? 16:39 Paying for a marketing pitch from different agencies 19:30 Developing a brief for the agencies 24:37 At what contract level is fair to ask for two rounds? 28:12 How to evaluate a marketing agency / freelancer? 31:37 Contract and Scope of Engagement 33:20 How to Structure Payment Expectations 38:55 How to work smoothly with a marketing agency? --- Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Momoka Ebi, an accomplished professional specializing in PR, sales, and marketing. At Redhill Japan, Momoka oversees key client management while driving sales, human resources, and marketing initiatives. With Redhill's rapid growth since 2014 and its presence in 22 countries across Asia, Momoka emphasizes the firm's focus on providing comprehensive PR solutions to both foreign companies entering Japan and Japanese firms expanding globally. This episode touches on topics of Redhill’s role in helping companies in Japan, PR localization, working with traditional media in Japan, and many more. Listen in to get to know more about PR in Japan! Links from Guest Appearance: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Redhill 00:00: Introduction 1:20: About Redhill Japan 1:45: How does Redhill help companies in Japan? 2:06: What type of clients does Redhill have? 3:02: What is PR? 4:23: Difference between PR and marketing 7:11: How can PR be beneficial for doing business in Japan? 11:40: How does Japanese culture affect the way you do PR? 15:55: What are some common pitfalls that companies make in doing their PR? 18:44: Impact of Social Media in PR 21:05: Differences between the Japanese and foreign media landscape? 23:31: The dominance of traditional media in Japan despite social media 25:02: Insights in working with traditional Japanese media 25:56: Role of press clubs in Japan 37:38: Can other non-conventional journalists participate in press clubs? 29:13: Key components of a successful PR strategy in Japan 38:17: Further insights on localization in Japan 40:06: Role and importance of influencers and celebrity endorsements in Japan as a foreign brand 42:48: Insights on event planning and management in Japan 43:38: Unique points in terms of customer service 46:21: What does a PR agency actually do? 47:26: Exploring PR Agency support for media presence 52:31: Emerging trends in 2023 and 2024 Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Kaga Yusuke from JETRO's Startup Support Division and Will Ferguson, an expert in international startup growth. We explored JETRO's role in aiding Japanese and foreign startups, uncovering case studies and tips for navigating the Japanese market. We will also discuss JETRO plans for 2024 to support startups, like their Techstars Accelerator program. This episode is perfect for those who wish to propel their startup journey in and out of Japan. Links from Guest Appearance: LinkedIn - Yusuke Kaga LinkedIn - Will Ferguson JETRO Startup Scouting Service Show Notes: (00:00): Introduction (4:39): What ministry is JETRO a part of? (5:13): JETRO’S expanding role in startups (7:06): JETRO’s unique support system (11:04): How does JETRO help Japanese startups? (14:49): Japanese case studies and tips for Japanese companies and startups (23:20): How does JETRO help foreign startups? (27:04): Tips for foreign companies entering Japan (31:35): Additional information on how to help foreign startups or Japanese companies (33:52): JETRO’s plans in 2024 (37:59): Application period for Techstars Accelerator (39:48): Connecting with JETRO: How can companies connect with Will and Yusuke? Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Robert Purss, Founder and Managing Director of McLaren Group, a Tokyo-based bilingual Marketing Consultancy offering end-to-end services including Marketing Strategy, Consumer Research, and Business Development. With over 15 years of experience, Robert's professional journey includes key marketing roles with global giants such as Nielsen, Reckitt, and Perfetti van Melle, managing renowned brands like Veet, MediQtto, and Mentos. Having overseen the localization and launch of over 50 products in the Japanese market, tune in as Robert joins us to share insights on aspects involving marketing agencies, various agency types, and the pros and cons of agencies of different sizes. Don't miss Part 2, where we'll delve into choosing the right marketing agency! Links from Guest Appearance: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ McLaren Group Marketing Marketing Agencies Presentation Slides Show Notes: 00:00: Introduction 2:04: What is marketing to you? 4:40: What is a marketing agency? 5:31: What are some marketing agency types? 6:38: What do marketing agencies do? 16:09: About freelancers 17:34: Pros on freelancers 19:55: Cons working with freelancers 20:56:  Production companies 21:50: Pros of production companies 23:15: Cons of production companies 27:34: About small-sized agencies 28:42: Pros of small-sized agencies 29:38: Cons of small-sized agencies 34:42: About mid to large-size agencies 36:58: Pros of mid to large-size agencies 37:41: Examples of mid-sized agencies 42:09: Differences between mid and large-size agencies in terms of their services 44:24: Agency types and impact on media 45:18: Diving into paid media Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Robert Heldt, the CEO of Custom Media. Serving as a comprehensive B2B agency, Custom Media specializes in providing marketing, branding, and PR solutions tailored to global enterprises seeking to establish or grow their presence in the Japanese market. Under Robert's leadership, Custom Media extends its expertise to diverse industries such as technology, manufacturing, energy, real estate, and finance. In 2023 Custom Media also won the Campaign Asia’s Japan/Korea Content Marketing Agency of the Year Award. Links from Guest Appearance: LinkedIn Custom Media Assessment Check Sheet: Is ABM Suitable for Your Business? Show Notes: 00:00: Introduction 02:07: What is ABM (Account Based Marketing) 04:04: What was B2B Marketing like before this? 10:30: Why are companies switching to ABM? 20:40: What are some of the risks implemented in ABM? 23:56: Does ABM work in Japan 26:16: Additional methods and differences used in Japan 29:33: How many meetings does it take to get good information? 31:01: International software that works well in Japan 37:45: What are some domestic software that works well in Japan? 39:45: What areas of ABM are harder to adapt or learn? 41:48: Example of a company you helped, how you did it, and the results they saw Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the ⁠Scaling Japan Podcast⁠, we are joined by Antti Sonninen. Antti is the main organizer of Takeoff Tokyo, the place for internationally ambitious entrepreneurs. Originally from Finland, Antti came to Japan 10+ years ago first bringing the Angry Birds game here as the company's first country director. Antti has also worked on several projects bridging the tech communities of Japan and the rest of the world, most notably as co-founder and CEO of Slush Tokyo. He will discuss the importance of attending startup events in Tokyo, highlighting the benefits for founders, investors, and corporations. Antti will also share strategies for maximizing event participation and mention some major startup events in Japan, along with insights on the cost of organizing such events. Links from Guest Appearance : Takeoff Tokyo LinkedIn Show Notes : (00:00) Introduction (02:26) takeoff Tokyo (11:38) Why go to a startup event (12:50) What happens at a startup event (15:43) Benefits for attending startup events for founders and investors (21:25) Benefits of attending a startup corporation (22:32) Maximize Event Participation as a founder (29:57) Maximize Event Participation as an Investor (32:24) Maximize Event Participation as a Corporation (41:28) What are some major events in Japan (46:31) Cost of running a startup event Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

Welcome to another episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Scaling Japan Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, we welcome Jeff Crawford, the CEO of Zo Digital Japan. They are a Digital Marketing agency based in Tokyo that provides SEO, Content Marketing, PPC advertising, Digital PR, and more to Overseas companies entering Japan, as well as foreign-minded Japanese companies. In this episode, Jeff discusses the fundamental concept of SEO and its universal applicability for companies seeking enhanced online visibility. Jeff shares intriguing cases of successful SEO strategies in Japan and explores the critical role of EEAT in Google’s algorithm and the impact of AI technologies on SEO. Jeff also talks about the distinctions between SEO and SEM and the qualities that define an outstanding agency. Links from Guest Appearance Linkedin Zodigital tokyodigitalmarketers Show Notes: (00:00) Introductions (05:52) What is SEO (07:05) Why and when should a company consider using SEO (08:05) What types of companies can benefit from using SEO (21:06) What search engines are popular in Japan and how are they similar & how are they different (22:05) The differences in search behavior between Japanese and those in Western or other Asian countries (28:47) What is EEAT and why should we care (34:09) How has AI affected SEO recently (47:28) The qualities of a good agency (50:17) Conclusions & Jeff Crawford's contact information Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scaling Japan Podcast⁠⁠⁠, we welcome Dustin Ikeda, the co-founder of Hashi Media. One of the leading social media and marketing agencies in Japan for gaming, tech, and lifestyle. Dustin explores social media platforms that are popular in both the West and Japan, highlighting many unique platforms in Japan. He delves into the differences between Western and Japanese social media and recommends platforms for targeting foreigners in Japan. The conversation also covers the pros and cons of agencies versus freelancers, along with common marketing mistakes.  Links from Guest Appearance Linkedin Hashi Media Show Notes: (00:00) Introductions (02:53) Dustin’s social media platforms expertize (03:34) Social media platforms that are both popular in the west and in Japan (04:27) Social media platforms that are not popular among Japanese (08:06) Social media platforms that are unique to Japan (14:28) Key differences between social media platforms in the west and in Japan (22:15) Social media platforms Dustin recommends to target foreigners in Japan (27:51) Pros and Cons between an agency versus a freelancer (34:06) Common mistakes marketing agency make when it comes to social media (40:48) Dustin’s company and contact Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Scaling Japan Podcast⁠⁠, we welcome Goki Sawada, the co-founder of Mixer, a design service that provides professional digital designs for Japanese businesses. Discover the challenges faced by Japanese companies in accessing global designs due to language barriers and unique design philosophies. Goki delves into the distinctions between Japanese and foreign designs, exploring elements of web, software, and visual design. Goki shares insights on industry-specific design in Japan and discusses exceptional Japanese websites. This podcast also touches on the effectiveness of minimalist designs in the Japanese market and explores differences in copywriting approaches.  Links from Guest Appearance Linkedin mixer design studios Show Notes: (00:00) Introductions (03:41) General differences between Japanese and foreign designs when it comes to flyers, websites, and other visuals and why (13:42) Unique elements of website or visual design depending on the industry in Japan (15:13) Examples of websites in Japan and why do Goki thinks they are great (24:24) Do minimalist designs work well in Japan? (26:21) Are there differences when it comes to copywriting? (28:10) Are there differences when it comes to creating logos? (29:16) Conclusions & comments Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of ⁠⁠⁠Scaling Japan Podcast⁠, we are once again joined by Joshua Flannery, the CEO of Innovation Dojo and a pivotal figure in Japan's startup landscape. With a keen focus on assisting foreign entrepreneurs, Joshua delves into Japan's startup events, dissecting the advantages of large versus smaller gatherings. Gain insights into the world of pitch contests, discovering the prizes at stake and understanding the strategic industries that benefit most. Uncover the power of startup communities and groups, exploring the resources they offer and the collaborative spirit they foster. Joshua also discusses the concept of business matching, revealing its significance and practical applications. Tune in for a deep dive into the Japan startup scene with a true expert. Links from Guest Appearance Linkedin⁠ ⁠Kobe Global Startup Support program⁠ ⁠Japan Business Development service for foreign universities looking for R&D partnerships in Japan Show Notes: (02:15) The startup events in Japan (09:25) The events in Kansai (12:30) About pitch contests (17:26) Pitch contests prices (21:14) Startup communities & groups (27:40) What is open Innovation (36:41) How can a startup determine which open innovation to participate in (38:28) What is business matching (41:51) Types of clients Joshua Flannery is accepting Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help⁠ --- Send in a voice message: ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of ⁠⁠Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Joshua Flannery, the founder and CEO of Innovation Dojo Group, delves into the key aspects of the startup ecosystem. He explores the roles of incubators and accelerators in fostering early-stage ventures. Joshua highlights the significance of vibrant startup cities as hubs for innovation and collaboration. Additionally, he shares insights on leveraging overseas universities' innovation and R&D departments for global entrepreneurship. Links from Guest Appearance Linkedin Kobe Global Startup Support program Japan Business Development service for foreign universities looking for R&D partnerships in Japan Show Notes: (3:06) About incubators (7:57) About accelerators (20:19) Start up cities (30:31) Overseas university’s innovation/R&D/startup department and entering the Japanese market Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠⁠Visit here to learn how he can help --- Send in a voice message: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of ⁠Scaling your company⁠, we are delighted to have John Kirch, a Tokyo-based consultant with over 30 years of experience in helping international startups enter the Japanese market and providing B2B software solutions. Today, we'll delve into the world of Proof of Concepts (PoCs) and their significance in the Japanese business landscape. John will share insights on the value of PoCs, their popularity among Japanese corporations and the government, and the distinctions between PoCs and paid projects, offering a wealth of knowledge to our listeners. Links from Guest Appearance Linkedin Gmail Show Notes: (1:27) Self introduction (2:57) What is POCs (7:28) Why are PoC's popular with Japanese corporations and the Japanese government? (11:42) The difference between a PoC and a paid project (12:22) The ranges of how long a PoC has gone in John Kirch experience in Japan (17:57) The unique expectations for a foreign company entering the Japan market when doing their first PoC (20:32) The differences in metrics and responsibilities (21:55) How to launch a PoC successfully in Japan. (24:04) How should a company approach a PoC and what are signs of success / danger signs at each of the following stages, i.e. negotiation, execution, and post-execution? (26:46) What is PoC hell and how do we avoid this? (30:16) Ways to penalize another company if they are not committing their end of the bargain or are creating delays (33:38) Why do many companies fail to make it past the PoC stage? (35:12) What frameworks would John Kirch recommend for managing a PoC? (40:43) Requests for the listeners and where can they find John Kirch Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. ⁠Visit here to learn how he can help --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of ⁠Scaling your company⁠⁠ podcast, we have Takashi Nishida, the CEO of Sophia Projects and a Business Development and Customer Success consultant. He will discuss the importance of hiring the right salesperson for the Japanese market and the role of a business developer in Japan. Takashi Nishida highlights the need for market assessment, connections to target buyers, and understanding Japanese business dynamics. Links from Guest Appearance LinkedIn Techmahindra Show Notes (0:42) Takashi Nishida introduction (2:00) What does a business developer do in Japan? (4:15) Why is a BD necessary in Japan? (6:22) What do foreign companies tend to misunderstand about Japan?  (15:45) Why does cold calling often not work in Japan for foreign corporations? (21:20) What types of contracts do BDs have with companies? (21:30) Salaried contracts (24:25) Salaried & Success contracts (27:54) Commission only (29:47) What would a company do to attract experienced BD in Japan (31:42) Where do you find BDs in Japan (35:37) Ending comments & thoughts Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 dollars with his coaching and advisory services. Visit here to learn how he can help --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message