Showing posts with label meeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meeting. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

How to Conduct a Business Meeting in Japan (7 Steps)


When you meet your counterparts, bow. The Japanese do not shake hands, other than when Westerners would give each other a hug. They might make an exception for business meetings. Wait for the Japanese businessman to offer his hand. Introduce your colleagues by title and function as well as name.
Sit at the meeting table opposite from your hosts. Seat your delegation in reasonable order of rank. If you're the head of the delegation, take the best seat. In Japan, that is the one farthest from the door. If you are using an interpreter, make sure he or she (usually she) sits next to you.
Exchange business cards with all the other participants in the meeting. If you are head of the delegation, you will be expected to start. Do it like this: Face the person with whom you are exchanging cards. Hold your card with both hands. If you have Japanese cards, have the Japanese side up. Bow. Introduce yourself--say your name and your company. Thank the person for meeting with you. Hand over your business card. Listen carefully to the introduction by the person whose business card you are receiving. Take the card with both hands and look at it. Move on to the next person. Don't write on the cards and don't put them in your pocket, but keep them on the table in front of you.
Thank your hosts for agreeing to meet with you. Hand out your presentation material. Japanese businessmen usually appreciate if you send the material in advance, if possible.
Speak slowly and clearly (but do not exaggerate) in your presentation. By handing out material in advance, the Japanese can follow the presentation as you speak.
If you are using an interpreter, make make pauses to enable complete translation.
Tell your hosts that you can take questions during the presentation, if that is the case.
Don't be surprised if the Japanese do not say anything. They may not want to embarrass you with questions, or they might wait for their superior to ask questions first.
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