Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Toyota Motors Co.

Company Overview:

Toyota has grown to a large multinational corporation from where it started and expanded to different worldwide markets and countries. It displaced GM and became the world's largest automaker for the year 2008. It held the title of the most profitable automaker ($11 billion in 2006) along with increasing sales in, among other countries, the United States. The world headquarters of Toyota are located in its home country in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. Its subsidiary, Toyota Financial Servicessells financing and participates in other lines of business. Toyota brands include Scion and Lexus and the corporation is part of the Toyota Group.

Job and Career Path:

Manager Risk - Contract Acquisition Project

This is a financial position within the company. The functions of this include project management, risk analysis, and development and implementation of credit management concerning contracts.

With proper education (MBA) and a good work ethic, it is possible to progress to the following

Controller (Different levels before you reach Corporate Controller; Asst. etc.)

CFO

Company Strategies and Organization:

During the almost 50 years since we first began exports, Toyota vehicles have found their way to over 170 countries and regions throughout the world. Toyota motors senior managing director has stated that, "Currently there are 52 bases in 27 different countries and regions. In addition, there are design and R&D bases in seven locations overseas, showing that “from development and design to production, sales and service, Toyota has now achieved consistent globalization as well as localization.” Toyota believes in building vehicles where they sell them. This commitment helps drive job growth and economic development wherever the company operates across the globe.

Countries in Which they Operate and Approach to Staffing:

Toyota has a strong mentality to build cars in the same location as they intend to sell them. This shows their dedication to strengthen economies and communities in which they operate. To do this, they have to continue building factories in various countries. This explains their operations in over 170 countries since 1957. They have also expanded their research and development efforts to 54 bases through 27 countries.

Monday, April 13, 2009

1. Visas and Permits:
Intracompany Transferee: Activities on the part of personnel who are transferred to business offices in Japan for a limited period of time from business offices that are established in foreign countries by public or private organizations with head offices, branch offices, or other business offices in Japan and who engage at these business offices in the activities described in the "Engineer" or "Specialist in Humanities/International Services" sections of this table. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history and work status.
http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/travel_and_visa/visa/faq.htm#q5
2. Relocation allowance and housing:
Education: 24,650 x 3 kids according to http://aoprals.state.gov
Housing: 88,000
3. Language and Cultural training:
Rosetta Stone
Available and affordable – cultural training courses
4. Spousal employment concerns:
http://community.asij.ac.jp/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=200&srcid=-2
5. Health/Medical/Insurance issues:
Emergency Medical Expenses benefit: $50,000, $100,000, $250,000 or $500,000
Deductibles: $100 or $250
$100,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit
$20,000 Repatriation of Mortal Remains benefit
$25,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit
Physicians' fees and hospital expenses
Special trip expenses for accompanying travelers, 18 years of age and younger, to home residence
Special trip expenses for bringing a companion to your side
Optional Hazardous Sports Rider (not available to residents of Washington state)
MEDEX Worldwide Travel Assistance Services additional detail
6. Compensation and incentives:
Wife receives $6,000 a year pension match, 15% a year salary bonus or approx. $28,000
7. Education for the children:
Included in #2

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Canon Inc. is a Japanese multinational corporation that specializes in the manufacture of imajing and optical products, including cameras, photocopiers, and computer printers.  It is headquartered in Ota, Tokyo

Sony Corporation

Sony is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Sony is one of the leading manufacturers of electronics, video, communications, video game consoles, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets.

Toyota Motor Corporation


Toyota Motor Corporation is a multinational firm headquartered in Japan. As of today, Toyota is the world's largest auto manufacturer. Toyota's diverse lineup ranging from large trucks to hybrids paired with lean production methods and "Just in Time" inventory allows them to remain a viable corporation in these tough economic times. This company employes thousands of people worldwide.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Picture of Japanese Business Culture


This picture clearly shows Japanese business etiquette when greeting someone. The "bow" indicates that tradition is still present and important in all aspects of Japenese culture, including business situations.

I found this picture online and i felt this was a great representation of Japanese business today.  On the left side of the picture we see a modern culture that is a stark contrast to the one on the right which represents Japanese ancient culture.  Throughout my research it has become increasingly apparent that while the Japanese are doing all they can to modernize their culture, they still believe in trying to incorporate their values and beliefs into everything that they do.

Japanese Proverb

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends."
This is an ancient Japanese proverb that i feel is very relevant in our world today.  With globalization moving faster than it ever has before, business men and women must be careful who they associate themselves with.  Here in the United States we have witnessed many people ruin their careers as a result of associating themselves with people who are either unethical or have made poor decisions in their past.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions

This is the Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions graph between the United States and Japan. In the Power Distance Index, the graph shows that Japan has a much higher acceptance of inequality than the United States. I believe this is because of their honor-based culture and the dominance of man over woman in their culture.

Another area of the graph with blatantly obvious differences is found in the long term orientation index. The United States achieved a score of 30 which means that their focus is on getting business plans rolling quickly and focusing on short-term goals. However, the Japanese scored an 80 in the long-term orientation index which means that they are comfortable with being visionaries for the future. Even though these two countries are take very different approaches in their planning strategies, it is evident that these countries successful business structures are a result of finding the type of planning orientation that works best for them.
Japanese culture emphasizes the group as a whole over the individual. This is a strict contrast of the American approach to society. The IDV portion of the graph shows the clear difference between the two countries.

Japanese Proverb

Fall down seven times, get up eight.
This is a Japanese proverb that I found. I feel like this demonstrates the work ethic of Japan. They work very hard and in their culture failure is not an option.

Picture of Japan

I feel like this picture says quite a bit about japanese culture. It shows the new culture of highly andvanced technology, but also has the ancient tradition of bowing to show respect.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Japanese Business: Quick Facts

Japan 
Operates in an open market system
Is the second largest economy in the world
Has a service sector that accounts for 3/4 of the economy
Is highly specialized in the production of automobiles, electronics, and machinery
Is ranked as the 12th easiest place to do business in the world
Is a proponent of lifetime employment
Is ranked as the 5th most laissez-faire country of over 30 Asian countries


Japanese Government

Japan's governmental structure is that of a constitutional monarchy.  Generally defined a constitutional monarchy is defined as a form of national government in which the power of the monarch (the king or queen) is restrained by a parliament, by law, or by custom.  The current emperor of Japan is emperor Akihito who is the 125th emperor in Japan's history.  The prime minister, who holds the majority of the power in the government is prime minister Taro Aso.  The prime minister is selected by the emperor from a group of government officials referred to as the "diet".  The rest of the japanese government system consists of a legislative branch with a house of representatives and a house of counselors.  An executive branch also exists which consists of the prime minister, the cabinet, and various state ministries.  Finally there is the judicial branch which has a supreme court, regional courts, and local courts.