CASE QUESTIONS:

1. You are Fred. What should you do now?

I believe Fred should realized by now that Americans and Japanese are very different persons,
culturally speaking. They are a collectivistic culture, very respectful and loyal, and it is hard to
gain their trust. They are also very introverted and is very difficult to them to say “no” in any
circumstances.
So, what I would do is to have un employee or to go for a business couch that will help me to
understand their needs, how to gain their trust, how to communicate with them in a efficient
way, so my business to be productive.

Regarding my family (Fred family) accommodation, I believe it takes more then a few months for
someone with completely different values to accommodate. I will try to find for my wife and my
kids an American community that will help them to integrate more easy and to have some
American friends in Japan.
It is a great opportunity and I believe I will try at least 1 year to accommodate and actually see
what is happening and how can I do thing to work better.

2. Turn back the clock to when Fred was offered the position in Tokyo. What, if anything, should
have been done differently, and by whom?

I think both managing partner and Fred should do the preparation a little bit different. I believe
that the managing partner should offer this incredible news to Fred with at least 2-3 months
before he actually will go to Tokyo. It is a completely new world and I think a little bit of advance
preparation would change a lot of things.

I think the company should offer Fred a training about how business is working in Japan, how
Fred should act when he will take this position and so on. Fred also should try to speak, for
example a Japanese manager that will explain to him how people enjoy working in Japan.

A very appropriate approach should be done with Fred wife and his kids. They should try to
learn a little bit about Japanese culture, rules, language, life-style and so on. So, when they get
there it wont be a completely overwhelmed surprise.