Building relationships that last: From GLOBIS student to business partner
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the new GLOBIS USA office at WeWork in San Mateo, a bright, collaborative space that perfectly reflects their mission of innovation and connection. After the visit, we gathered for a hotpot lunch, which felt like the ideal way to celebrate community and shared purpose.
As I sat there, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey with GLOBIS. Over a decade ago, I was a full-time MBA student at their Kojimachi campus in Tokyo. That experience shaped me profoundly, not just academically, but professionally. It helped launch my career in HR at Deloitte Tohmatsu, where I learned the importance of people strategy in driving business success.
Fast forward to today: I’m now Managing Director at Japan Consulting Office, and GLOBIS calls on us when they need support with cross-cultural communication and HR consulting. Seeing this evolution, from student to trusted partner, feels like a full-circle moment. It shows how education can open doors and how career paths can intersect in unexpected ways over time.
Just like I’ve grown over the past 10 years, so has GLOBIS. They now have a U.S. office and offer an online MBA program, making their resources accessible to a global audience.
For anyone working in a Japanese company here in the U.S. or looking to launch a career in Japan, the GLOBIS MBA is an incredible resource for learning and connection. If you’ve ever thought about deepening your understanding of Japanese business culture or accelerating your career in Japan, I highly encourage you to explore what GLOBIS offers, you’ll gain knowledge, networks, and opportunities that last a lifetime!
My experience also highlights something fundamental in Japanese business culture: relationships are everything. Trust and long-term connection often matter more than quick wins. Investing in relationships, through respect, consistency, and genuine interest, creates a foundation that can lead to collaboration years down the line. It’s not about transactional networking; it’s about building bridges that last.
For me, cooperation isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. I believe the pie is infinite. When we share knowledge, resources, and opportunities, we all grow. There’s room for everyone to succeed, and collaboration is the key to making that happen.
A heartfelt thank you to the staff at GLOBIS USA for their incredible support and cooperation: Takashi Kodaira, Kory Parobek and Yasuyuki Kato.
If you’re curious about how Japan Consulting Office helps organizations bridge cultural gaps and build stronger global teams, I’d love for you to learn more about what we do. Together, we can create workplaces where collaboration thrives and everyone wins.
At Japan Consulting Office, we specialize in equipping professionals to thrive in cross-cultural environments. Whether you’re looking for group training or one-on-one sessions, we’ve got you covered!
If you want to learn more about bridging language and cultural gaps in Japanese business, why not join one of our sessions! Here’s the link to upcoming sessions (make sure to select your timezone)
