I am building a role play negotiation table between two opposite cultures ( Japanese and Americans, drop me some ideas related to PM from actual experience, please Saving Changes...
I have some suggestions having managed projects in the Philippines for many years, that are relative to Japanese culture.
1. Yes means no. When you identify requirements, or demonstrate deliverables, some cultures will yes when they really mean no. As you can imagine this presents issues with delivering a viable product. I found in these projects it's good to have an insider or middle-person to be able to get the real response. That might be fun at the negotiation table when yes can mean no.
2. Saving face is a real thing. Here in Australia, I could have a meeting with a group of stakeholders and not have too much of an issue being very direct, and sometimes a little confrontational (in resolving issues) if it is called for. This approach rarely works in collectivist societies. An approach that is too direct will clam up the person or will just get an answer you want to hear but may be not the truthful answer. Further you will build resentment within the team or stakeholders that is passive aggressive for the most part, but may translate into decision, actions and behaviors that work against you, which defeats the purpose.
3. Being employed, working for a company, and earning a salary is viewed as a vary noble thing, sometimes (to their detriment) at the expense of family, friends, and quality of life. Nevertheless, know that this company, job and thus project is part of their core being; what validates them as productive citizens, which is totally different to our individualistic society. When you negotiate with them, you aren't just negotiating contracts, requirements, deliverables, but their life.
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2 replies by Drew Craig and Kevin Drake
Apr 14, 2018 8:55 AM
Drew Craig
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Those are very interesting points, Sante. Thanks for sharing that.
To make it really interesting, assuming you'll have more than one participant representing each of the two cultures, I'd suggest having one of the Japanese party be someone who does not embody the usual stereotypes about the culture.
That will be a good way to teach learners to be aware but not to be biased by cultural stereotypes.
This is impressive guys ... I will have two teams, each team 4 people sitting against each others. The unit is international business and Japanese tram will be only males following the culture..
This is impressive guys ... I will have two teams, each team 4 people sitting against each others. The unit is international business and Japanese tram will be only males following the culture..
Sounds interesting, good luck with it. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I faced this type of situations very often. First of all, take a negotiation strategy. In my case I was trained into Hardvard style. Second, is a matter of culture so you have to search into the internet all related to Japanese culture. I worked in Toyota so I understand about that. When I wrote "search into the internet" my recommendation is searching from body and gestural expressions to manners and voice expressions. And mainly the Japanese negotiation style. Remember that the basement of culture is writing into our genes. Saving Changes...
Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
Kevin watch the movie Gung Ho. It makes some good points on the work ethics of Japanese and Americans. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
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