New York is a business hub and a lot of meetings take place in this city by companies who are in New York just for a day or two and do not own offices in New York. Sometimes international organizations convene in big cities like New York for annual meetings and their regional office do not have large board-rooms to hold such meetings.  This forces the organization to hire meeting places that can sit the number of attendees while also offering some of the most advance facilities making it easier to concentrate more.  There is less distraction from visitors, customers and no calls to answer.

One of the advantages of seeking for external meeting places is that all the members of staff are able to attend the meeting to strategize as all the facilities and staffs are provided by the team provider.  The staff can remain focused as they do not have their daily duties and deadlines to meet while attending such meetings.  This is also one way of advertisement and a way of boosting the morale of both the staff and the company.  Customers or customers to be tend to want to do business with companies that are focused and who take their clients comfort a little further.

An interview is also one for the reasons why organizations seek other meeting places from their regular office.  It’s easier to socialize and get to know each other during such meetings.  It gives an organization the time to focus on its goals and is better suited than their regular offices.

]]> http://www.coachingsitesonline.com/business/new-york-meeting-rooms/feed/ 0 http://www.coachingsitesonline.com/business/meeting-with-japanese-companies/ http://www.coachingsitesonline.com/business/meeting-with-japanese-companies/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:01:39 +0000 admin http://www.coachingsitesonline.com/?p=66 Japanese business etiquettes differ tremendously from the other parts of the world.  The Japanese are formal in most of their business dealings. Meeting with Japanese Companies requires above-all understandings that accept all the business cards with the right-hand, take time to read the details and keep them together with the other cards.  Do not make any notes or writings in these business cards.  That is a sign of disrespect and the company might consider that rude and not do business with your company.  It is better to plan ahead before going out for a Meeting with Japanese companies. As a matter of caution, do not wear a black suit and a white shirt.  This is set aside for funerals only.

The Japanese do not make snap decisions when it comes to business matters.  It might take an individual two or three more meetings before a deal is sealed.  Remember to carry a business card as this is a must-have when it comes to doing business with the Japanese. Once such deals are sealed be sure to keep your parts of the bargain.  Do not supply sub-standards goods and destroy the business relationship already built.   Japanese are known for their time-keeping culture and a customer is required to call at least one hour before the meeting to confirm attendance to the meeting. Do not just pop in its gives a very bad show in business.

Lady executives should wear trouser suits or knee length skirts or dresses and make sure they are fully covered when going out for such meetings.  Whether male or female, Japanese rarely shake hands and do not be the first to offer a hand-shake if none is forth-coming.   Show interest in the business deal and if there is need, ask questions for further explanation.  At any-time during the business dealings, do not speak ill and curse as Japanese are known not to talk-ill of their business associates at all.

Do no open a gift in-front of your host and remember to bring a gift with you each time you go for a business meeting.  Japanese appreciate and value gifts, but know which gifts to buy.  Interestingly, if at the meeting food is offered, the Japanese culture requires that the oldest in the group is the first to start eating.  Do not eat if not sure how to go about it.

Now that it is clear that because all the relevant softwares are now merged into one software – accounting software, it has become the need of every accountant today. The problem is what type of accountancy software will be best for your business. There are various types of softwares that are customized to fit in specific businesses. Regardless, of what type of accountancy software you go for, they all have some strengths and weaknesses that may or may not be useful for your business. No such software for an accountant is made that can fit best in any type of the organization at the same time.

A factor that should be considered is the after cost involved with the accountancy software. These after costs may include the obtaining of multiple licenses in order to make use of it on more than one computer system. The costs incurred on the training of the employee’s so as to use the software is also categorized as an after cost and must be considered when you are to choose a software for your office.

Moreover, you should also be aware of the fact as to which type of an accountancy software will you be able to operate on your system. Due to the constant development in the software, newer versions are marketed regularly, so when choosing software you should determine that whether the software will be able to carry out your firm’s financial requirements for some period or will soon be declared as outdated.

An accountant, being a professional, has knowledge about choosing accountancy software because he is the ultimate person who is going to make efficient use of it.

When called to give a public speech, have a list of points of the topic at hand.  This will give you a clear guideline of what to expect and how to address your listeners.   This group of people will be looking to you and if possible better not disappoint.  Secondly come relaxation, without relaxing you will become nervous which is not a very good sign for public speaking.  In case you are nervous try as much as possible not to let your audience know.  Thirdly, be well informed on the topic of discussion.  Without having enough information at hand, you might feel inadequate when it comes to questioning time.

Public speaking requires a lot of confidence.  Listeners always know that you will address their needs.  Try to do so clearly and fluently. Confidence gives you that chance and opportunity to look at them in the face and even answer their questions without a slight doubt of worry.  Keep your speech short and to the point and do not bore your listeners with information that does not add value to the whole scenario.  Depending on your audience a little humor will go along way in making both your audience and yourself relax. Try as much as possible to take note of the happenings around you.  It is easy to tell whether your audience are listening and interested to the topic of discussion.

Here are some of the bilingual accounting firms in Japan:

1. The Ascendant Business Solutions. Ascendant specializes in Outsourcing, Consulting, and Technology working. They focus in helping foreign national companies who are expanding their business in Japan and Asia. They help through back office support such as banking, payroll, accounting etc. They also help through consulting like, risk and compliance, finance, and human resources. Presently, they give full support international businesses whether from the Fortune 500 companies or from small companies who are venturing in Japan.

2. The InterGest Japan. InterGest has been in the worldwide network since 1997. They help companies import and export products in and out of Japan. They help those companies through the difficult administrative regulations, cultural barriers and language barriers between other countries and Japan. Their services are on financial and tax consulting, cash management services, payroll services and many other administrative services.

3. Okamoto & Company. This is one of the premier accounting service providers for companies expanding to Japan. They have professional bilingual Accountants, Social Insurance and Labor Specialist, Certified International Auditors, CFEs and CISAs. They provide different kinds of services like, accounting, payroll, taxes, forensic accounting, internal auditing, and annual report translation to English, Japanese financial statement, note disclosure preparation, and consolidation procedures.

4. The MS-Japan. This is a recruitment agency for administrative staff focusing on the fields of accounting, HR, finance, and legal services. They have a lot of potential employees who are young professionals and managers. They also have many bilingual employees to help in foreign transactions with foreign companies. MS-Japan can give your company the major needs to compete in the Japanese market.

These are just some of the accounting firms in Japan you can choose from and there are many other accounting services in Japan that can offer you the bilingual accounting in Japan that could help foreign businesses expand in Japan.

The Japanese are more inclined to relationships. The manager, is like a “samurai” that watches over his people from the bottom up. He has loyalties and duties to perform over his men and his men in return will also show loyalty and do their duties. The self-esteem of an individual will depend upon the perception of the group. This is also called as the “saving face.” Unlike the Japanese, the American manager is like the “lone ranger cowboy” and his self-perception is based on his own perception unaffected by what other people may think or do. Individuals in American business will just rely on themselves. They are not as inclined with relationships as their duty for others must come second to his/her own duties to perform. The Japanese business is influenced by the group perception while the Americans rely more on their individualism.

The Japanese culture and tradition is preserved in their society and they also follow a strict hierarchy, in the family, in the community and in business. Japanese business patterns are greatly influenced by these culture, tradition and hierarchy. Unlike the Japanese, the American is a nation of immigrants who believes in “the American Dream” that anyone can rise to the top if you just believe and work hard. With all their natural resources, this is not impossible to do. That is why Americans are more inclined to their individualism. This is how they handle and run their business, fast paced and individually. This is the major difference between the two countries, Japan with its collectiveness and America with its individualism.

The strict hierarchy of Japan makes their employees or other lower ranking employees follow their boss and other higher-ranking employees easily. The lower ranking employees submit to those who are higher in the hierarchy. The American business, on the other hand, with their individualistic attitude, can give those in the lower rank a chance to voice out what they think on a certain subject matter.

However, even with the differences in the way these countries do business, this does not mean they can’t successfully conduct businesses with each other. America and Japan has been conducting trades for a long time already. Japan provides technologies, automobiles, and telecommunication to America and Japan is slowly adopting a more westernized culture with the products offered by America to them. The two countries have so many differences between each other. When it comes to tradition and culture, Japan has so many unwritten rules and regulations on it. They differ greatly in the traditions and cultures on how they handle business. It is inevitable that misunderstandings may arise. Both the countries must respect and understand each other’s way of handling and running business. So far the trade between America and Japan has been one of the world’s biggest influences in economy.

Here are some of the firms and the typical outsourced services in Japan that they offer:

1. Business Process Management Company. This company has been providing accounting and payroll outsourcing services all over the world for the past 25 years. They have bilingual staff members who are very skillful and knowledgeable. Some of the typical outsourcing services they offer are:

• Accounting services providing accounting data and reporting it directly to overseas HQ.
• Outsourcing payroll services.
• Cash control management services.
• Management support services.
• Services for social insurance and labor matters.

2. The HTM Company. This corporation has been providing finance and administrative services to international companies who have operations in Japan since 1987. Some of its typical outsourced services are:

• Bilingual outsourcing payroll services in Japan.
• Payroll accounting reports made by the HTM outsourcing payroll system.
• Cash management outsourcing services with reference from the bilingual outsourcing payroll service.
• Bilingual employee attendance system.
• Tax liability regulations for employees who will be leaving Japan.

3. The Japan Management Consulting Company. This company is a consulting and an outsourcing company with professional management consultants. Some of its typical outsourced services in Japan are:

• Initial payroll services from the registration of a company, to the enrollment of employees, and the master payroll data files.
• A monthly service for payroll calculation of the gross salary, salary deduction and gross salary.
• A monthly service for payroll payment, paying employees and taxes.
• A yearly payroll service for the yearly expenses and taxes.

4. The KPMG Human Resource Service Group. This global company has professionals giving services like tax, audit and advisory. It’s typical outsourced services in Japan are:

• Outsourcing payroll calculations in Japan.
• Administration of social and labor insurance in Japan.
• Preparing papers for payroll transactions and other related advisory.
• Assisting on domestic or foreign audit.

5. Okamoto and Company. This firm provides bilingual professional accounting services for international companies operating in Japan. Their typical outsourced services are:

• Financial accounting and reporting assisting foreign companies on their compilation work.
• Payroll of social and labor insurance.
• Assisting foreign companies with their cash management.

6. The Japan AC Outsourcing. This company focuses on giving foreign companies services in accounting, bookkeeping and other tax related processes in Japan. Its outsourced services are:

• Payroll services.
• Social and Labor insurance services.
• Account services.

The outsourcing services offered by each of these companies are the typical outsourced services in Japan.

Personal connect with Local Clients:
If you are living and working in Japan, and other cosmopolitan countries, you will meet people from different ethnicities and origins. In the circumstances where networking with such individuals arises, it would definitely help to know their home language. Language is a great barrier, and if a businessperson succeeds in breaking this one, they have just won another battle in their quest for a successful business.

Global Connect:
With the world becoming a smaller place, more and more executives are looking to enhance and expand their business outside Japan and other countries. Countries like Japan have simple and hassle-free rules and regulations for business, and it would be practical for a businessperson with a good product to look for a way to reach the global market.
If a businessperson wishes to take their product global, it is very important that they know the language of the country that they plan to sell and promote their product in. With the right networking and promotion, the businessperson can actually use the knowledge of the language to enhance their chances to conduct business with the local people.

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This particular kind of coaching, is becoming a vital practice for individual employees and for the organizations they work for. The role of coach has changed over the years between the late 30’s up until the late 60’s research shows that there was already informally coaching present in some companies; i.e. managers and/or supervisors acted as coaches to their staff (cf. Zeus & Skiffington, 2002; Grant, 2003a; 2006). Gorby (1937) gave an example of how older employees were trained to coach new employees regarding methods to decrease waste production. Casual usage of business coaching can be found in the act of providing positive support and feedback, while providing occasional advice to individuals or groups to help them recognize possible ways in which they can improve overall performance and efficiency within their business.

When used correctly coaching can be an excellent way to bring out the best characteristics in employees, promoting certain types of behavior that can improve leadership, teamwork, communication, employee autonomy and more. This can be achieved in a number of ways, one-on-one meetings, working with a group within a business and larger scale across the board coaching involving a whole organization.

Many corporations prefer the practice of 360 consultation before the look towards coaching, this allows employees to utilize their own life and professional experiences in a positive way to promote team participation even among superiors. Often Professional Business Coaches are brought in when a business is being perceived to be performing poorly, though many successful organizations recognize the benefits of business coaching even when there is no clearly identifiable problem and business is good.

Business coaches like coaches in other field often specialize in areas such as executive coaching, corporate coaching and leadership coaching.
Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaching#Business_coaching