Easy, Peasy... Japaneasy

Posted on 2006/06/20 09:06:51 (June 2006).

[19th June 2006]

Today I took half day off, as I had to begin what it will probably be the "light motif" of the following month. The interviews and talks with the Japanese company that appears to be interested in employing me directly.

I had to go to Milan to see the head of the Italian subsidiary, for what I consider a typical Japanese interview... Basically this guy is in no position to offer me a job, but I had to meet him and introduce myself and see how the company is structured, let's say that it was more of a PR interview rather than an actual job one.

The whole meeting was held in Japanese, I am quite amazed that I managed to speak ALL the way through the interview in Japanese, I didn't think that I would have been up to this task. We discussed about several things and basically they told me that there was no space at the moment, as far as they are concerned.
Maybe in one year time there could be the possibility of getting a position, but not from Florence in any case...

Hardly a path that I feel like walking at the moment.

As you can understand my mood fell quickly under my feet, I wasn't expecting an actual job offer, but neither I was expecting a ead end scenario... Back home fortunately I got the mail from the person who is making this all possible, Yoshida san.
He's the one who proposed to his bosses my position and who convinced them to take a step further.
Basically he said that he's spoken to his boss and the president of his section and they are VERY much convinced about this plan. So now they have to go to the mother company and get this plan approved so that we can start working on HOW to give it a definite shape.

This have been quite a good mail to receive, as it means that the game is not over yet. More contacts will certainly continue in the near future, both by phone and mail, then of course I have the two days in Japan that I have allotted especially for them, in which my agent told me that I have to discuss my requests (money) and how to proceed (open an office in Florence?)... It might take some time, but there is a chance there to be taken and it could be the way out of textile sales into a new world as a buyer at home and a salesman in Japan...

Sounds interesting let's see how it develops!

So a bit of a roller-coaster day then? I remember, a few years ago, I had a job interview where at the end they told me - thanks for coming; we don't have any jobs at the mmoment. I mean what is the point?

Still I hope the Japanese company paid your expenses Lox!! :)) And of course all is not over yet! (Until the fat-lady sings?)

Posted by Nigel at 2006/06/20 09:35:48.

Hope it will work for you, if this is what you really want. Careful, though! Opening an office in Firenze would be a major task, I imagine.

Posted by Sheri at 2006/06/20 10:06:25.

It's far from over, as far as I perceive it... What I have done yesterday it's typical Japanese, having to convince EVERY part of the engine that I might be a good person. So you have to meet a lot of people that will never work with you, just so that you can show them that you are worth employing, and then of course, the branch of the company who really wants you makes the offer. It's totally unnecessary, but it is fundamental under the psicological/human relationship point of view.

Posted by Lox at 2006/06/20 10:07:54.

Sheri: Quite right. It's not easy. But as I said I can see some light at the end of the tunnel... It might be a good chance for my career, to move into something different rather than stick to the dead end textile only. As we say in Italy "procediamo con i piedi di piombo" (we proceed with leaded feet), slowly and carefully....

Posted by Lox at 2006/06/20 10:09:56.

Hmmm... well Lox, if
anything does come of
this then think very
carefully. I can hardly
endorse working in a
Japanese environment
given my personal
experience of late.
They'll expect you to
sell your soul, but give
very little in return.

Posted by John at 2006/06/20 24:43:38.

I understand that such an opportunity excites you. But by major task, I mean the kind of business which would ruin your health and encroach on your private life.
Now, you're not married and you have no children (or so I believe), so maybe it's the right time to do it.

Posted by Sheri at 2006/06/20 14:03:34.

John: First of all I will not be working in Japan, and yes I know that they can be quite demanding at times, but I think that this comes with the job.. I will not have any colleague to share the office with, just trips to Japan (more or less the same quantity that I do now, maybe a little more), and freedom of movement... Of course I am going to japan to discuss the details and everything, we need to see about the wage as well, I believe that we are still in early stages at the moment.

Sheri: Yes you are right, but if this thing picks up pace (as I hope) in the future maybe I will have someone else doing the trips for me, and I can work more from Italy... And moreover you are not married to a company what will be will be... If I am unsatisfied I can leave...

Posted by Lox at 2006/06/20 15:28:33.

"And moreover you are not married to a company" - you are if it's in Japan - regardless of whether the company is actually Japanese or not!

Posted by i-cee at 2006/06/21 19:18:02.

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