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July 25, 2007

Vol. 22: John Ermatinger (President, GAP Japan KK)/ News from the Nikkei Weekly dated 7.23.07

Peter Barakan interviews John Ermatinger, President, GAP Japan KK /plus this week’s headlines

John and Peter have a very focused, information-rich conversation about the meaning and significance of the GAP brand in Japan. In a relaxed conversation, surrounded by stylish, comfortable clothing, John explains: where the name GAP came from, his (brand-new!) innovative approach to changing employee work habits for a more effective work/life balance, the company’s participation in Bono’s RED campaign, bringing the iconic brand to a new culture, and much, much more.
And as always, you can read the transcript and learn more about our guest, here: http://blog.eigotown.com/podcast/nikkei/

The Nikkei Weekly Interview podcast series: Broadcaster Peter Barakan, eigoTown.com President Russell Wills, or Producer Terri MacMillan interview prominent foreign business people in Japan about business and the economy, along with the weekly headlines - in English.

投稿者: admin 日時: 01:29 PM |

July 18, 2007

Vol. 21: Charles Duncan, (Managing Director Continental Airlines Japan)/News from the Nikkei Weekly dated 7.16.07

Peter Barakan interviews Charles Duncan, Managing Director of Continental Airlines Japan /

There is something infectious about talking with a person who loves their work. In this informative conversation, Charles tells Peter how Continental Japan became the ‘hometown airline’ in more cities in Japan than any of its rivals – even though it’s a foreign company. He describes their innovative, niche-oriented promotional strategies in each market. We talk about entertainment systems and the differences between airlines, special programs that help to cement long term relationships, and the ins and outs of making their services truly multilingual. Charles shares with us Continental’s can-do, employee-central philosophy, which was hard-won after the airline bottomed out and found it’s way back to a positive balance.

And as always, you can read the transcript and learn more about our guest, here: http://blog.eigotown.com/podcast/nikkei/

The Nikkei Weekly Interview podcast series: Broadcaster Peter Barakan, eigoTown.com President Russell Wills, or Producer Terri MacMillan interview prominent foreign business people in Japan about business and the economy, along with the weekly headlines - in English.

投稿者: admin 日時: 04:03 AM |

July 11, 2007

Vol. 20: Terry White (Chief Communications Officer of Amway Japan Ltd.)/News from the Nikkei Weekly dated 7.9.07

Russell Willis interviews Terry White, Chief Communications Officer of Amway Japan Ltd.)

In a community-driven culture like Japan’s, Amway’s relationship-oriented approach to marketing high quality personal and home care products comes naturally. But that doesn’t make it easy, and Terry White tells us how Amway has created a long-lived, sustainable, and very, very large business in Japan.

What’s the secret to Amway’s success? Is it the products, formulated for local tastes? Is it longevity – they’ve been in the Japanese market for 30 years. Terry also talks about the effect of the internet on Amway’s business. “…Currently our digital sales would be in the order of 40% of that $1 billion, higher, edging up towards 50%, which makes us one of the largest internet trading companies in Japan…”
And as always, you can read the transcript and learn more about our guest, here: http://blog.eigotown.com/podcast/nikkei/

The Nikkei Weekly Interview podcast series: Broadcaster Peter Barakan, eigoTown.com President Russell Wills, or Producer Terri MacMillan interview prominent foreign business people in Japan about business and the economy, along with the weekly headlines - in English.

投稿者: admin 日時: 09:54 AM |

July 04, 2007

Vol. 19: Frank Foley (General Manager/SVP of HIT Entertainment Japan)/News from the Nikkei Weekly dated 7.2.07

‘We’re surrounded by penguins!’ That’s the way Russell began this interview, and he was right. Not only penguins, but Thomas the Tank Engine, and Bob the Builder, and many more charming pre-school toys, plus beautiful versions of The Guiness Book of Records (including a wondering one created by blind people in Japan, for blind people!).

In this charming conversation, Frank explains the ins and outs of marketing both the blockbusters like Thomas (everyone who needs to know who Thomas is, in Japan, does), and up-and-comers like Angelina Ballerina. They cover such issues as: why didn’t a Japanese company see the possibilities in a train toy, the perils and possibilities of TV, marketing to such a quality and character-oriented society, and much, much more.

The Nikkei Weekly Interview podcast series: Broadcaster Peter Barakan, eigoTown.com President Russell Wills, or Producer Terri MacMillan interview prominent foreign business people in Japan about business and the economy, along with the weekly headlines - in English.

投稿者: admin 日時: 03:39 AM |