Ask Giles and/or Alex Anything
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Giles/Alex, with your long standing relationship with Haraki-san and Iron Heart both personal and professional, what Japanese cultural attitudes or behaviors would you say have changed or been implemented into your way of thinking and life? Do you think your British behaviors or mannerisms have changed Haraki as well?
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@jimcord that's a tough one - I probably have adopted a few things subconsciously, but im not sure what they are. I try to put myself in the headspace of our Japanese colleagues when communicating with them, which I think helps ease communication and minimise clashes. I am not sure Haraki has adoped much of the british/western way of thinking, but his openess to listen to us is in itself quite unusual.
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@Alex thank you for your response. I guess with Iron Heart being his brand and vision and it’s success, one does not have to easily bend often, but glad to hear that he does to the Padmore team on occasion. I respect and admire the success IH has garnered with such a unique east/west partnership.
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@jimcord Sorry to be tardy in responding....
I'm not sure that much has changed to me as a general personality shift, but I am much more aware now, of how to behave when in Japan to lessen intercultural tension/misunderstandings. I also find myself constructing sentences in English in a way that I have observed Japanese constructing sentences when they speak English.
When Haraki is over here, he needs to go home having eaten at least, Scones, clotted cream and jam, a Sunday roast, fish and chips and, as a bonus point, a decent beefburger.....
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Giles, it sounds as if you are plotting a haraki-san game of thrones takeover by means of a heart attack! Lol
I still remember the advice you gave me in Los Angeles when I told you about the customer service issue I had with Momotaro, in case you don’t remember, you said you would wish you had known me sooner so you could’ve helped me craft my communication with them better to avoid the misunderstandings that took place. I took that advice to Heart in every communication I have had since with any Japanese company., trying to be aware of how tone and words can be misconstrued in translation. I appreciated the advice then, and I still appreciate it now. Thank you.
