229 Aytekin Yildiz, APAC Cluster CEO Group BEL, President Bel Japan
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Release Date: 01/05/2025
244 Junko Kubokawa, Ex- President, Croda Japan
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously she was General Manager Nutrition and Health BASF Japan, Deputy Region Head Asia Pacific and Sales Head Japan, BL Home & Personal care, Ciba Inc. She has a BA in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Tokyo University and an MBA from INSEAD Her leadership philosophy reveals a thoughtful, people-centered, and culturally nuanced approach. As President of Croda Japan, her leadership has been shaped by decades of experience in global pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals firms, combined with personal growth from early cross-cultural exposure and a prestigious BA and MBA. A defining trait of...
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243 Alberto Fochesato Managing Director of Würth Industry Japan
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously Alberto was Sales Director-Industry APA in HoChiMinh, Sales Director-Industry APA Shanghai, Sales Director -South/East China Shanghai, Purchasing and Logistic Assistant Manager CTC Clatronic Padova Italy, HR & Market support Driving Force Asia Shanghai, Timesharing sales Representative Interval International Italy He has a BA and MA from Universita Ca’ Foscari Venezia. Alberto offers a rich and reflective account of his leadership journey and philosophy in his interview. A linguist by education, Alberto’s fascination with languages and cultures led him from Italy to China...
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242 Maxime Hotelier, Cluster General Manager Tokyo, IHG ANA Hotel Group
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously Maxime was General Manager Klimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, Food and Beverage Performance Manager IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, Senior Champagne Brand Ambassador Pernod Ricard, Restaurant Manager & Chef Sommelier IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, Restaurant Manager & Sommelier Relais & Chateaux, Restaurant Manager Windsor Hotel Toyo Resort and Spa Hokkaido Japan He studied at the Albert de Mun Hotel School, Paris VII Summary In this interview with Maxime, leadership is presented not as a title or position of authority, but as a way of being—rooted in presence, responsibility, and the...
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241 Tim Bailey, Principal at Bailey Consulting
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously Tim was President of Consumer Products at D+M Holdings, General Manager Johnson Electric China, Director Marketing & Manufacturing Black & Decker, Controller and Sales Manager Cavalier Corporation. He has both a BBA Finance and an MBA for Loyola University Maryland Summary Tim Bailey shares his journey, reflecting on the challenges he faced and the lessons that shaped his leadership approach. He emphasizes that resilience, adaptability, and learning from failures have been key to his success. To him, leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about...
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240 Yuichi Takayama, Country Head, Frontier Advisors
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously Yuichi was Head of Business Development, Misaki Capital, Senior Managing Director/Global Head of Sales (International Business) Nikko Asset Management, Managing Director Tokio Marine Asset Management, Senior Analyst/International Equity, Mizuho Trust and Banking, Portfolio Manager International Equity, Chuo Mitsui Trust and Banking Summary Yuichi Takayama’s leadership journey offers valuable insights into managing diverse teams across different cultures. His experience spans Japan, the UK, and Australia, where he navigated the challenges of leading both Japanese and foreign...
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239 Rami Suzuki, President ARC Therapies
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously Rami was President of Moderna Japan, CEO of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, VP Head Medical Affairs Division Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Corporate Officer, Business Development Eisai. Summary Rami Suzuki’s leadership journey is marked by adaptability, honesty, and a commitment to empowering others. Beginning her career as a cancer researcher, she quickly realized her strengths lay in enabling scientists rather than conducting experiments herself. This realization led her to venture capital and later to executive roles in pharmaceutical and biotech companies, where she managed teams...
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238 Fabio Crisafulli, Japan C&SI Alliance & Netvibes Director, Dassault Systemes
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Japan C&SI Alliance & Netvibes Director, Dassault Systemes as at December 2024 when we recorded this session. Previously Fabio was C&SI Alliance Executive, Dassault Systemes; Global Alliance Director, Strategic Business Director, Director Strategic Pursuit Team, Director Mechatronics Solution at Siemens Digital Industries Software; Project Manager Promec Automotive. Summary A seasoned leader with extensive experience in Japan, he highlights the unique challenges and adaptations required to lead effectively in a Japanese business environment. Having transitioned from a Western...
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237 Orjan Pettersson, Managing Director, Profoto KK
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously, Orjan was Director of Sales, Japan at iPoint Systems gmbh, Area Sales Manager Thule Group, Director of Sales & Marketing Asia-Pacific, BA Bags/President Thule Japan, Directeur des ventes VB Autobatteries S.A.S., Regional Sales Manager East & SEA Optima Batteries, Johnson Controls, Import and Export Coordinator Aichi Sangyo. He has a Masters Degree in east Asian studies from Stockholm University Orjan Pettersson’s leadership journey in Japan is shaped by his deep understanding of the local culture, his ability to build trust, and his belief in the importance of personal...
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236 Alan Malcolm, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Udemy Japan
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously Alan was Executive Advisor, Nikkei; Chief Commercial Officer at Exceedo; Head of Asia, Pearson, President and Representative Director Pearson Japan; Director of Client Services and Marketing Phoenix Associates; Director Asia, Soshigakuen Group; Director and COO Metropolis Japan. He has a BA in International Relations from Victoria University, Wellington. Summary Alan Malcolm provides key insights into leadership, shaped by his extensive experience in Japan’s business environment. Malcolm’s leadership philosophy revolves around building trust, understanding individual...
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235 Michael Witt, President ,Nicole Racing Japan LLC
Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Previously Michael was Vice-President Sales and Marketing Nicole Racing, Senior General Manager BMW Alpina, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Nicole Automobiles, General Manager Sales Division BMW Alpina Nicole Automobiles, General Manager Aftersales BMW Australia, Director Aftersales BMW Japan Corp, Department Head Price and Volume Planning Aftersales BMW Group, Strategic Consultant Accenture. He has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Otto-Friedrich Universitat Bamberg. Leading in Japan presents unique challenges and opportunities that require adaptation and a deep understanding of...
info_outlineAytekin previously was Greater Turkey Cluster General Manager, Turkey Country Manager, CFO Turkey, Sales Controlling Group Manager Paris Groupe Danone, Project Manager, Sabanchi Holding Danone JV. He has a BA Business Administration from Bogazici University and MA Finance & Accounting from Marmara University.
Summary
Aytekin Yildiz, APAC Cluster CEO of Group Bel and President of Bel Japan, shared insights from his two-and-a-half years in Japan during this interview. Having a background in finance, he transitioned into leadership roles through deliberate career moves and support from Bel. He emphasised that successful leadership in Japan requires understanding the cultural nuances of indirect communication, risk aversion, and perfectionism.
To engage his team, Aytekin stressed the importance of starting with "Why" and co-creating a vision through collaborative workshops. He introduced a "test and learn" approach to encourage agility, assuring his team that failure is acceptable if it leads to learning. Aytekin publicly treated failures as collective rather than individual, using them as opportunities for growth and reflection.
He highlighted the importance of trust in Japanese workplaces, built through authenticity, transparency, and consistency. Respecting Japanese culture while maintaining his own identity was key to his leadership style. Aytekin noted the importance of balancing strategic and operational leadership, often engaging directly with his teams during crises to demonstrate support.
Innovation, he said, is strong in Japan but requires a leader to unleash its potential. He cited successful initiatives, such as introducing unique product innovations like sweet cheese and collaborations with Japanese IP, as examples of Japan’s creativity.
For leaders coming to Japan, Aytekin advised adopting a listening mindset, understanding the local culture, and building trust through collaboration. He emphasised the value of blending global strategies with local market realities to drive meaningful change.
Aytekin defined leadership as guiding and inspiring people toward a common vision through engaging conversations. His leadership journey underscores the importance of adaptability, empathy, and fostering innovation to succeed in diverse and complex markets like Japan.