Comments on: Frustrations in Japan Part 3 – Business Meetings

By: Coach Factory Online

Coach Factory Online — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:23:01 +0000

While I Coach Factory Online browsing yesterday I noticed a great article concerning…

By: Johan

Johan — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:31:43 +0000

It shocked me in the beginning too. I mean, I can forgive people for sleeping in long, big meetings when they have been forced to join something which really does not relate to their work (which happens a lot – many people are dragged into meetings which are just remotely related to what they do). However I have seen people sleep in meetings containing like 5-6 people! It gets pretty obvious then, and can be very embarrassing.

Interactive presentations tend to be slightly ineffective in Japan, if not done in very small groups. It can also be a good idea to announce it beforehand so people can prepare.

By: Jason Womack

Jason Womack — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 18:51:42 +0000

Wow – I was a bit shocked to read your comments about Japanese meetings. Good to know. I’m in California and present corporate trainings mostly throughout the US, with a few European clients. I would be amazed to see people sleeping in a meeting. Text messaging though seems to be the norm. And I work to make my presentations interactive, but I may rethink that for specific countries. I haven’t traveled to Japan yet, but when I do, I’ll check back in for other cultural insights…

Jason

By: Johan

Johan — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 14:22:16 +0000

Thanks for the comment.

Yep, I think most people who have joined meetings in Japan will recognize the feelings of frustration and confusion over what’s going on!

By: J.

J. — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 11:58:23 +0000

I agree fully with your advise. I have the same experience in Japan, both at company internal meetings, as well as with meetings with Japanese customers.

This is my first comment on your website; I like the topics that you write about.