The FocusCore Podcast Dr. David Sweet

On the latest episode of the podcast we are thrilled to be able to welcome back our very first guest, Hideo Goto. Hideo is the President of Schick Japan and has more than 20 years experience in the health and beauty industry, and a strong track record of driving results and being incredibly innovative in his approach. If you are an APAC business leader in Japan looking to innovate in a traditionally risk averse business culture, listen to this episode to learn how to encourage a fearlessly innovative culture in your company.
In this episode you will hear:
Advice for APAC leaders working in JapanHow to be innovative in a traditionally risk averse countryStrategies Hideo employs to attract talent in a challenging marketSome of the most important lessons Hideo has learned from his decades of successful and innovative business leadership
About Hideo Goto:
Hideo Goto has been the President and Representative Director of Schick Japan since August 2022. Hideo has more than 20 years of experience in the health and beauty industry, and a strong track record of driving results.  
He started his career at Johnson & Johnson in 1996 in sales and marketing.  In 2005, he joined L’Oreal and spent 11 years there, where he turned around several businesses and scaled the growth.  He held various leadership positions throughout his tenure including GM of Active Cosmetics Division in Japan, GM of Consumer Product Division in Taiwan, and GM of Professional Product Division in Japan. Hideo Goto was promoted to Country General Manager of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and Korea in 2021 having joined Henkel Beauty Care in 2017 as GM of the Professional Division.
Hideo earned an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in the U.S. in 2003 and a BBA from Meiji University in 1996
Connect with Hideo Goto:
Schick Japan website: https://schick.jp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hideo-goto-8854b4ba/


Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/ 
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/ 




“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
Mentioned in this episode:
2024 Salary Guide

This week on the podcast we switch things up and have guest host Simon Jelfs, Managing Director of FocusCore Japan, interviews Dr. David Sweet to find out what makes him tick, in business and in life. David is originally from Denver, Colorado with 25 years recruitment experience in Japan, all of it in leadership roles. He established FocusCore Japan in 2011. He's a father of two, a keen runner, a writer, and an ukulele player. Listen to the episode to learn more about how David manages to be so proactive and motivated in business and in life, and gain some invaluable insight into the Japanese labor market and recruitment landscape. 
In this episode you will hear:
About David’s love of running marathons and his plans to run the Barcelona marathonHow David manages to stay so proactive and motivated in business and life in generalHow international business leaders view the Japanese marketDavid’s advice to APAC leaders looking to improve recruitment performance in JapanAbout the ageless leadership skills that stand the test of time
About Simon Jelfs:
​Simon is from the UK and has over 20 years accounting and finance recruitment experience in Tokyo.  He is the Managing Director of Focus Core which focuses on providing executive search in Japan.

About David Sweet:
David Sweet is the founder and CEO of FocusCore Group.  For the past 25 years, he has helped companies hire the best executive talent in Tokyo.  He is also a certified executive coach and  author of Sweet Success, Sweet Sales, Recruit! Becoming the Top-Biller, as well as having been interviewed for the book, “Facebook & LinkedIn 対応履歴書いらずのソーシャルメディア転職術” for his expertise in using Social Networking for recruitment in Japan. He also is a published poet, including Gus (illustrated by Jennifer Shinkai),  Split Infinity Forward, and Pop Rocks. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Development and a M.A. in Communications from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. 

Connect with Simon Jelfs:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjelfs

Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp 
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/ 
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/ 




“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
Mentioned in this episode:
2024 Salary Guide

The automotive industry is currently experiencing a lot of change and innovation globally with, among other things, the increased development and adoption of electric cars and autonomous vehicles. Leaders in this industry are increasingly having to be agile and innovative as well. This week we talk to one such agile leader, Magnus Hansson, CEO/Representative Director of Jaguar Land Rover Japan. In the episode Magnus shares with us some of the innovations and challenges currently being experienced by the automotive industry in Japan, and globally. He also shares with us some insights gleaned from his decades of leadership experience.
In this episode you will hear:
About the similarities and differences between Japanese and Swedish leadership stylesAbout exciting innovations within the automotive industrySome of the big challenges facing automotive companies todayAbout recruitment strategies being utilized by Jaguar Land Rover JapanHow Jaguar Land Rover Japan is pursuing diversity as a companyMagnus’ insights into being a business leader in Japan
About Magnus:
Magnus Hansson has been the CEO/Representative Director of Jaguar Land Rover Japan since 2013. Born in Sweden, Hansson began his career with Saab in 2000. Before arriving in Japan, he worked in Sweden, Canada and Hong Kong. Magnus is an Internationally schooled and experienced Automotive Executive with excellent strategic, analytical, organizational, and creative abilities. He has proven and leading skills in general management, planning, product, marketing, aftersales and sales operations at both global & national levels.
Connect with Magnus:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/magnus-hansson-aab5b71

Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp 
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/ 
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/ 



“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
Mentioned in this episode:
2024 Salary Guide

This week on the podcast we delve into Web3 technology with Steve Pang. Steve is an innovative disruptor, entrepreneur, author, coach, speaker, and was my mentor when I started FocusCore, 13 years ago. Steve is also the co-founder of the social network disruptor, ZAG Network and NFT project, PSYOP ZOMBIES. If you have been hearing a lot about NFTs, AI and Web3 technologies and want to know how they might apply to your business, recruitment or professional online networking, this will be a valuable discussion to sit in on.
In this episode you will hear:
How Steve went from working in the recruitment industry to the Web3 spaceAbout Steve’s social network disruptor ZAG Network and how it is disrupting the social media landscapeWhat data sovereignty is and why it is importantHow ZAG Network empowers users to monetize their own dataThe different ways Web3 technologies are being utilized in recruitment


Things mentioned in the episode:
NFT project PSYOP ZOMBIES: www.psyopzombies.com
ZAG Network: www.zag.network

About Steve:
 A Web3 native since 2017, Co-founder of the social network disruptor, ZAG NETWORK (www.zag.network) and a fun NFT project, PSYOP ZOMBIES (www.psyopzombies.com) linked to ZAG Network, a revolutionary SocialFi Network For Professionals. With a multifaceted background that spans leadership, career advising, coaching, vlogging, and authorship  
Having spent over two decades as a seasoned business leader in executive search and recruitment across the dynamic Asia Pacific region. With 8 years of working experience and living in Australia, 5 years in Japan, and 15 plus years in Singapore, Steve's understanding of diverse markets and cultures across Asia Pacific makes him stand out from the pack 
 As a co-founder and advisor on Web3 ventures since 2017, Steve has been actively engaged in technology and non-tech projects. His passion for the transformative potential of Web3 technology and the decentralized movement is evident, making him a true "Web3 Degen" Just like a mullet haircut, Steve is business in the front, party in the back! 
 Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Steve is a natural and direct communicator. As an author, Steve has penned two highly regarded books: "Everything You Wish To Ask A Headhunter" and "ZAG's Expert Guide to Personal Branding & Job Seeking." These literary accomplishments further showcase his dedication to empowering individuals to navigate their professional paths with confidence and success. Above all, Steve is fueled by a profound belief in the innate entrepreneurial spirit within every human. To him, entrepreneurship isn't merely about starting companies but rather the instinct to create, shape destinies, and take control of one's life.  
ZAG Network launched 24 August 2023, the world eagerly awaits the impact of this Web3 SocialFi Network For Professionals. With a dynamic mix of high energy passion, innovation, and an unyielding commitment to personal and professional growth, Steve continues to shape the future while inspiring others to do the same.  


Connect with Steve:
ZAG Network: www.zag.network
Sign up for an account on ZAG Network and we are instantly connected!

LinkedIn : a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevexzag/" rel="noopener...

This week I am excited to turn the podcasting tables on my guest Catherine O’Connell, who is host and cohost of two fantastic podcasts; Lawyer On Air and Jandals in Japan. If you haven’t listened to those two podcasts I highly recommend them both! Catherine is the principal and founder of her boutique commercial law firm based in Tokyo, Catherine O'Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo and won Tokyo Foreign Lawyer of the Year Award in 2022, Boutique Law Firm of the Year Award in 2023, and is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020. One of Catherine’s missions in life is to change the boardrooms of traditional Japan from the inside, sharing her lived experience through board coaching programs to demystify and open pathways for people to access and attain roles on Japanese corporate boards.
In this episode you will hear:
How Catherine went from being a tour guide in New Zealand to studying law and working as a foreign lawyer in JapanWhat motivated Catherine to set up Catherine O’Connell Law, her own law firm in TokyoAbout the lack of diversity in terms of board governance in JapanWhat Japanese companies can do now to diversify their boardsWhat women leaders can do to open boardroom doors for themselves and others
Things mentioned in the episode:
Statistical Information about female board members in Japan: https://www.nikkei.co.jp/nikkeiinfo/en/global_services/nikkei-bp/female-board-member-survey-which-japanese-company-has-the-highest-percentage-of-female-board-members.html

About Catherine O’Connell:
Catherine O’Connell is Principal & Founder of her boutique commercial law firm based in Tokyo, Catherine O’Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo. She won Boutique Law Firm of the Year Award 2023 and Foreign Lawyer of the Year Award 2022 and is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020.
Significantly, Catherine has been appointed in June 2023 as an Independent Audit & Supervisory Board Member of TOYOTA Motor Corporation. In June 2022 she was appointed as Outside Audit & Supervisory Board member of FUJITSU Limited. Through both of these appointments she has become the first non-Japanese female in Japanese corporate history to serve in this role on any Japanese Board. She is also Statutory Auditor on ASX-listed Japan subsidiary of CSL Behring.
Catherine presides as Vice-Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of Japan, is co-Chair of the Legal Services & IP Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and is immediate Past President of NPO, Women in Law Japan (2021-2023).
Prior to launching her law practice in 2018, Catherine was Head of Legal and APAC Regional Legal Counsel for Molex Japan LLC. She held senior In-House Legal Counsel positions Panasonic, Olympus and Mitsubishi Motors, and has extensive private practice experience at Hogan Lovells (Tokyo and London) and Anderson Lloyd (New Zealand).
Catherine hosts the award-winning “Lawyer on Air” Podcast sharing inspirational stories about women working in the law in Japan and she co-hosts the “Jandals in Japan” podcast about successful New Zealand business in Japan. 

Connect with Catherine O’Connell:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/
Website: a href="http://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Welcome back to the FocusCore podcast. We are excited to bring you another year of insightful and inspirational guests, as well as timely and topical solo episodes. This week we have our first guest of 2024, Ashley Harvey. Ashley is a C-Suite leader, with a 25-year international career beginning in sales and expanding out into marketing, branding, partnerships, hospitality, destination management and leadership. Ashley has a wealth of knowledge to share with us about being a business leader globally and in Japan specifically. This discussion is a master class in how to thrive as a new business leader navigating the unique benefits and challenges of the Japanese market.
In this episode you will hear:
How the Japanese market differs to other international markets and why it has been a good fit for AshleyAdvice for business leaders looking to expand their reach in JapanThe importance of having a strong employee acquisition strategyHow flexibility and nimbleness as a leader helps weather unforeseen challenges, like COVIDThe importance of creating an environment where open and honest communication can thrive

About Ashley Harvey:
Ashley Harvey is a C-Suite leader, with a 25-year international career which brings the benefits of a breadth of knowledge, diverse experience and interdisciplinary thinking to an ever increasingly complicated business landscape.
Building from a sales background, Ashley’s career grew to build a depth of experience in marketing, branding, partnerships, hospitality, destination management and leadership.
He successfully built & led marketing strategies, tactics and teams in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, as well as in the UK.
Past roles and clients include VisitBritain, Go Central Japan, Brand USA, Tourism Switzerland, a giga project in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Tourism Authority, NYC & Partners, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Shangri-La Hotels, Hilton, Dusit Thani Group, Andaru Niseko, and, Marriott. 
His MBA (2005) comes from the University of Leicester, UK. In 2022 he completed the Mini MBA Marketing from Marketing Week.

Connect with Ashley Harvey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjohnharvey/

Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp 
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/ 
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/ 


“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
Mentioned in this episode:
2024 Salary Guide