6 lessons from Japanese corporate culture that Vietnamese businesses should apply

Building a corporate culture is essential for business development. An “open” work environment regarding development direction, along with codes of conduct and treatment between superiors and subordinates, also contributes to the success of businesses. So, how do the Japanese build their corporate culture? Here are some characteristics of Japanese corporate culture that you can apply in managing your business.

1. Corporate Culture – Giving and Receiving Business Cards

For the Japanese, exchanging business cards is not merely swapping a normal piece of paper; it is a fundamental gesture and behavior that initiates a good bilateral relationship. The meeting, giving, and receiving of business cards always takes place in a formal manner. The recipient will receive it with both hands, then read the information aloud and clearly, and place it beside them. This makes the partner feel respected.

>> Read more: How to build a professional and detailed code of conduct in a business

2. A Culture of Embracing Challenges and Striving for Progress

In reality, many businesses in Japan start as small and medium-sized enterprises but soon expand globally simply because of their “profound” corporate culture. Among them, the story of Yamaha Motor is a prime example.

Starting as a company specializing in piano manufacturing, with a serious work ethic, unafraid of challenges, and open to new experiences, Yamaha Motor became one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers, a typical example of the relentless efforts of the Japanese on the path to conquering their own dreams. The culture of embracing challenges in Japanese companies is considered a characteristic that demonstrates the will for progress and discipline that all other companies in the world should learn from.

One of the ways to apply this culture of embracing challenges is that the process of building corporate culture needs to be researched and applied in a top-down manner. This means that leaders must demonstrate determination, not shy away from challenges, and spread this spirit to their employees. In addition, it is also necessary to be flexible between work discipline and employee understanding to avoid creating excessive pressure on personnel.

See more: Building Corporate Culture in the Digital Transformation Era

3. Company Culture –  Respecting Your Work

The Japanese often evaluate their employees not only based on their ability to handle work but also on their attitude towards that work. In Japanese companies, creating a serious and clearly defined work environment among employees is also a way to increase work efficiency.

4. Corporate Culture – Punctuality

In the work environment of most Japanese businesses, the issue of effective time management skills and completing tasks is always one of the most valued aspects. Punctuality is also considered one of the characteristic constituent elements of corporate culture of the Japanese.

4. No-Blame Culture – A Characteristic of the Japanese Way of Working

Maintaining a high sense of responsibility is one of the golden rules that contribute to the success of the Japanese. For them, blaming circumstances or anyone else does not lead to good work efficiency; on the contrary, it can foster a mindset of carelessness, disrespect for work, and avoidance of responsibility. Therefore, instead of making a mistake and then placing blame, prioritize responsibility, acknowledge the action, and correct it.

5. Relationship Building – A Prominent Feature of Japanese Collaborative Work Culture

Relationships between bosses and employees, superiors and subordinates, and among colleagues are highly valued in Japanese companies. Sincerely building these relationship links not only strengthens the team but also lays the foundation for developing absolute trust among everyone in the company.

Applying corporate culture to relationship building is very important, but not every organization succeeds in doing so. Many Vietnamese businesses have not yet fully mastered the art of building relationships between the organization and its employees.

6. Internal Network – A Solution for Applying Japanese Corporate Culture

So, how can you apply and optimize Japanese corporate culture in your business environment without causing disruption or obstacles for employees during the initial transition? If you’re still struggling with this, explore the 1Office corporate internal network system. It is the optimal solution for resolving all issues related to internal culture.

The Workplace platform is where leaders can convey all messages, policies, and documents to employees via the company wall. From there, all members can track personal information, colleague details, and departmental structures without needing to bother HR. Furthermore, teams or departments can easily create Groups to discuss work. Individuals can also share their feelings directly on their personal walls.

Additionally, with the 1Office software, each member can view the departmental structure and basic information about colleagues for easy interaction. The platform has a feature that automatically announces individual birthdays to all company members so that appropriate celebrations can be planned. Notably, the system will automatically generate a timeline of an employee’s work history, from their start date to their departure.

An internal network is a channel for internal communication, thereby promoting the development of corporate culture. If you want your business to thrive, start by building your internal corporate culture. Contact us for a consultation on the best business management solutions.

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