Managing for Creativity in Japan » hierarchy http://a-small-lab.com/managing-for-creativity-in-japan Talking with Foreign Executives in Japan Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:02:14 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Flat Organization http://a-small-lab.com/managing-for-creativity-in-japan/flat-organization/ http://a-small-lab.com/managing-for-creativity-in-japan/flat-organization/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:00:53 +0000 Chris Berthelsen http://a-small-lab.com/managing-for-creativity-in-japan/?p=310 “Having a flat organization is an important factor. To help people progress in their careers and to help people feel that they are being recognized we do give people promotions and various titles but in reality it is kind of ‘everybody’ and then two or three people at the top who try to manage the chaos and keep us all going in the same direction.”

]]> http://a-small-lab.com/managing-for-creativity-in-japan/flat-organization/feed/ 0 Who are You? http://a-small-lab.com/managing-for-creativity-in-japan/who-are-you/ http://a-small-lab.com/managing-for-creativity-in-japan/who-are-you/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:00:15 +0000 Chris Berthelsen http://a-small-lab.com/managing-for-creativity-in-japan/?p=130 “One of the key things in this country is that whether or not you are listened to depends on who you are. Your idea or your thinking might be good but if you’re lower on the hierarchy then you probably won’t be so influential.”

“If you are a really famous creative person in Japan, say if you’ve got a name and some grey hair or whatever, you may find yourself having an easier time of it than some young creative guy when you are trying to do something in corporate-land. That doesn’t mean that companies are not open to creativity but things tend to work on seniority and are very formalized.”


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This post is part of a series of excerpts from interviews with foreign executives in Japan, focusing on creativity. Excerpts have been edited for confidentiality.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in relation to this topic. Please feel free to comment directly on this site or get in touch at chris@a-small-lab.com (Chris Berthelsen)
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