I had a colleague ask about what it is like to work with the Japanese, and I figured I would write a little about my work experience so far. The word Nemawashi can cause some late work hours. In Japan, you don't go to a meeting without first building consensus about what you are presenting. It is not uncommon to find Japanese executives sleeping through a formal presentation. They have already given their input before the presentation, and it is our job to incorporate the input quickly. To my team, this sometimes means throwing out large sections of our deck to tailor it to the customer.
Since the quake, most companies have reduced the number of elevators that are in use. In IBM the conference rooms will not be cooled during the day time to cut power consumption by 20%. It is not a problem now, but it will be a problem as summer approaches and the heat of Tokyo starts baking our conference rooms. Sony just enabled it's full bank of elevators. Initially, only one elevator was running after the earthquake. It is amazing to see how there is a lack of personal space within an elevator, but I'm sure the days after the quake, this was tested. In the office, the workers sit side by side with no walls in an open area. during the day and well into the evening, it looks like a call center within the facility. The only real place to get some privacy is the bathroom. Each toilet is it's own little closet.I'm working with an IBM partner on the project who is fortunate enough to have his own desk. He does not have his own office. This is quiet different than the states where a partner has his own office.
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| Office space Japan style |
At 9 am a lady announces on the intercom that we can open the blinds. At pm, the lady announces we need to close the blinds. The partner on the project left his blinds open one night, and people complained in one of the apartments that someone at IBM had not closed their shades.At night, the residence of Tokyo want their privacy. With such close quarters, it is considered rude to leave you blinds open.
I am amazed at how the Japanese queue themselves in lines for the elevator, bus or even at the cafeteria counter. No one tries to pass someone else. Everyone patiently waits their turn to place their order. Once the order is placed that move into the next line quickly. Lunch is always process driven and mostly efficient. Watching the Japanese is a great way to visual queuing and watch processes buckle under load. In the cafeteria yesterday, we arrived early to eat. We watched as the servers diligently brought trays to each table of our orders. As more people came though, the staff could not keep up with the onslaught of hungry patrons. The amazing thing is the process never breaks. It may slow down, but it never breaks. This typifies Japan.
My suits are out of place for Japan. It is acceptable for me to wear what I've brought, but it stands out like a grey suit among many dark suits. Nothing says Gaijin like a grey suit. The Japanese are masters at blending in, it is evident by their culture, hair color, eyes and choice of suits. Everyone wears a dark blue suit. It's very interesting. Women have much more latitude in their dress, but men do not. The women wear black skirts, but they have shirts and sweaters. Of course IBM is very formal in Japan, but this is pretty much the standard. the entire american team packed light colored suits, so I don't feel so bad.
Japanese Red Bull
I couldn't figure out whether to post this in a food post or a business post, but I think it's suiting for a business post. The little drink pictured in this pink bottle is a Japanese Red Bull. The Japanese market for energy drinks far surpasses ours, and the caffeine jelly beans or gelatin shots that are popping up in American have been here for some time. To put my picture in perspective, that is a 2 liter behind the my Japanese Red Bull.
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| Japanese Red Bull |
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| So many energy drinks. So little time. |
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| Caffeine shots |
In closing, I know a bunch of people have been concerned about the radiation levels in Tokyo. I've verified from multiple sources the number of
Foods naturally contain Carbon-14 which is radioactive, as well as Potassium, of which a small amount is radioactive. This results in an average dose of around 20 mrem a year. Also, some plants and animals naturally accumulate radioactive materials, resulting in higher than background dose rates.
You naturally contain Potassium, Carbon-14, and other radionuclides. This makes you radioactive. To the tune of around 40 mrem a year. Other people are also radioactive, so you get slight doses from being around other people as well.
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