Episode 25

full
Published on:

1st May 2023

The art of negotiation with Eelco Modderman, The Gap Partnership

Eelco Modderman, a Dutchman, has spent the last 15 years living in Asia and considers himself a bridge between East and West. It's no surprise that he is now as the Managing Partner, Asia Pacific for The Gap Partnership, a company specialising in negotiation training. He started his journey with The Gap Partnership in 2017 in Hong Kong before relocating with his family to Tokyo last year to expand the reach The Gap Partnership’s reach.

The Gap Partnership works with clients to become better, more confident, and more successful negotiators, with customisable training programs and consultancy services. Clients included front-line workers to top-level executives.

In this episode you will hear:

  • What is negotiation and how can you apply the negotiation framework
  • The importance of negotiating successfully
  • How do you build up a relationship before you start a transaction?
  • How does Japan’s decision-making process influence the way you negotiate

Eelco Modderman Bio:

Eelco joined The Gap Partnership in 2017. Initially based in Hong Kong, he now heads up the Asia Pacific region from our office in Tokyo. As a Dutchman living in Asia for over fifteen years, Eelco brings together the best of East and West. With a background in big data analytics, he is passionate about sustainability, delivering impact for clients, and the personal growth of his team.

Outside of work, Eelco is an avid swimmer and in many other activities on and below the water. He lives with his wife and two children, who share his love for adventure, exploring new places and cultures.

Connect with Eelco:

Website: https://www.thegappartnership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eelcomodderman/?originalSubdomain=hk

Email: eelco.modderman@thegappartnership.com


Links of things mentioned in this episode:

The Negotiation Book: Your definitive guide to successful negotiating by Steve Gates

The Culture Map by Erin Myer


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/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown" used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Show artwork for The FocusCore Podcast

About the Podcast

The FocusCore Podcast
Meet interesting and inspiring and entertaining people who show why Japan is a unique, fulfilling and sometimes frustrating place to do business.
We will discuss how to hire, train and retain talent. How to create values that motivate, and review best practices that have worked and attempts that have failed. David will be speaking to company presidents, CEOs, CFOs, HR professionals, coaches, consultants as well as sharing with you some of my own experiences and opinions discovered over the years in this great country.
The focus is simple: To explore how to succeed in business in Japan.

About your host

Profile picture for David  Sweet

David Sweet