Terrie's Articles
TT-523 -- Blood in the REITs, ebiz news from Japan
We've had a few ugly months in the world of real estate...
TT-522 -- English schools have a bad year, ebiz news from Japan
As Nova's Sahashi resurfaces for trial, we look at the mess he left.
TT-521 -- Medical investment is good business, ebiz news from Japan
There's plenty to be positive about in the medical industry.
TT-520 -- Where are All the Entrepreneurs? Ebiz news from Japan
Dig a bit deeper into the Japanese entrepreneurial world...
TT-519 -- Natto for heart health, ebiz news from Japan
The smelly soy beans have some benefits, you know...
TT-518 -- Child Abductions, but not by North Koreans. Ebiz news from Japan
Will things ever change in Japan?
TT-517 -- Down-market nutrition, ebiz in Japan
Look out waistband, it's The Return of Micky-D's
TT-516 -- A retail boom for some foreign brands, ebiz in Japan
Recession - what recession?
TT-515 -- Sophie's choice by government funds, ebiz news from Japan
Should large companies be getting public help?
Terrie's Job Tips -- Taking a Job on Blind Faith
Getting employed by smaller Japanese companies can sometimes be more than just mere culture shock. Such companies are typically run top-down, and the patriarchal atmosphere is very evident. This often means that you need to deal with the CEO directly to understand what is going on in the organization, and if you don't have that access, then you need to be like one of the family – trusting that things will work out. Further, to plan a career, you need to understand the "family" relationships and figure out who besides the CEO is important. Usually this will be a couple of his/her key managers.
TT-514 -- Tax Crackdown Looming? Ebiz in Japan
What will Japan's role be as the world clamps down on tax havens?
Terrie's Job Tips -- Immigration - How to Add up 10 Years
I get lots of email about visa and immigration questions. Unfortunately, apart from the general visa definitions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/appendix1.html#5)and a book on the subject I recommended some years ago, called A Japanese Visa Handbook: From Tourist to Permanent Resident by Motoko Kuroda, there is little else that could be considered reliable information on how to get a Japanese work visa.
TT-513 -- DoCoMo Buys Oak Lawn Marketing, ebiz news from Japan
Successful earn-outs for foreign entrepreneurs.
Terrie's Job Tips -- Business Development Manager
In a recession there is one job that is never in short supply – sales. No company is getting enough sales, and for those that are hurting due to the economy, sales is the primary point of attention. Managers are putting pressure on low performers, and firing or reassigning those who are unable to contribute. This level of attention may make some people feel like sales is a high-pressure and ultimately undesirable job. But in fact, a sales role can be very fulfilling and liberating if you are good at it – i.e., if you understand what drives successful sales.
I'll talk about what these drivers are in a future article, but right now, let's discuss the high end of sales – which is business development.
TT-512 -- 334, 000 Working Holiday Makers Can't be Wrong
How successful is the working holiday visa program?
Terrie's Job Tips -- JETs – Part Three: The Opportunities
A common question by teachers coming off the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program is what sort of careers they can build for themselves once they hit the job market here in Japan, versus going back home. Do they stay in language teaching? Yes, that's an option, but doesn't really create a career unless you're willing to study to acquire more academic qualifications.
TT-511 -- The Power of Rumors, ebiz news from Japan
Internet slander: can the law keep up?
Terrie's Job Tips -- JETs - Part Two: Building Human Networks in Remote Areas
I had mentioned in my presentation that networking is extremely important for future jobs – not only to find them, but also because apart from any professional qualifications and being able to speak some Japanese, your personal human network is probably the most important factor for a potential future employer.
TT-510 -- Bargains and cheap won
The Korean Won: a brand lovin' housewife's dream come true...
Terrie's Job Tips -- JETs - Part One: Finding Jobs
I was asked by CLAIR, the organizing agency behind the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program which puts English teachers into public schools all over Japan, to be a career counselor at their annual conference for departing teachers. As an employer, I was very happy to have this chance, because it allowed me to meet and talk to around 20 people who were coming off contract periods of 2 to 5 years, and many of whom had made the effort to assimilate into their host country. I was also happy as an HR "promoter" for jobs for foreigners in Japan, as I was privy to a nice cross-section of what is going on in the minds of job seekers who are making some major personal decisions.
