Success in Japan is no coincidence
Success of Your IT Solution in Japan: Good Products alone are not enough
Many companies have strong products, good sales staff and experienced project teams. When expanding into Japan, they tend to invest first in translations, partners or individual projects.
The problem is: These measures often fall short as long as it is not clear which risks are truly critical and which investments should be prioritised.
What is often missing is someone to ensure that the relevant parties work together successfully in, with and for Japan.
With me, you’ll gain a reliable sparring partner who brings together technology, specialist fields, management and Japan. Projects are accelerated, misunderstandings are reduced, and decisions are made more robust.
The Japan IT Business Journey shows you where you stand today, which steps make sense and when, and what support you need along the way:
- Attract customers and partners in Japan successfully
- Identify risks at an early stage and manage investments effectively
- Build trust that stands the test even under pressure
Many successful IT providers find themselves facing precisely the following situations when it comes to Japan
You are a software vendor or provider of complex IT solutions and...
…yet before entering the market
- You don’t know whether you need a partner, a localisation service or a client first.
- The partner is requesting software, manuals and training materials in Japanese. You are looking for sales first. Who should make the first move?
- The client has requested presentations in Japanese. How is that supposed to work?
- The requirements from Japan are too specific. You think you can work on that later in the project.
- Japan sounds interesting for your organization – but you don’t know how high the risk really is.
… already operating in Japan
- You have a good product. So why isn’t the partner selling it?
- The partner won't let you speak to the customer. How are you supposed to help?
- Everything was looking good. There was hardly any feedback from Japan – until suddenly the situation came to a head.
- You had discussed the requirements already. Why are you going round in circles for the third time by now?
- You were told you weren’t to be trusted.
Your Journey to Success in Japan
Many companies start by investing in a range of measures that seem sensible. However, what's often missing is a common framework for deciding which of these are appropriate and when.
The consequence: Activities take place side by side, risks remain hidden and investments are not having their full effect.
The first sensible step in any initiative involving Japan is a simple question:
Where do you really stand today?
The free Readiness self-assessment provides an initial assessment of your situation and helps you gauge how well your organisation is prepared for the Japanese market.
The Journey supports you through four progressive stages – from initial guidance to operational support in critical situations. It helps you identify risks at an early stage, set the right priorities and take your Japan initiative forward step by step.
Getting your compass set
Japan IT Business Readiness
Are you ready for Japan? Many successful businesses fail in Japan not because of their product, but because of false assumptions.
Don’t guess – pinpoint your position:
With my free self-assessment
This self-assessment will show you in just a few minutes whether your current preparations involve any typical risks – and where it’s worth taking a closer look.
Bringing causes to light
Japan IT Business Assessment
Others see the symptoms. My assessment reveals the underlying causes.
Based on the assessment, you can decide whether immediate action is required, whether structured guidance is advisable, or whether individual measures are already sufficient.
You will receive a structured assessment of your Japan initiative: Which risks are critical? Which investments are a priority? Which measures promise the greatest benefits?
Securing progress
Japan IT Business Navigator
Good decisions alone are not sufficient. What matters is that the right measures are implemented at the right time.
The Navigator helps you track your progress, make informed decisions and take your Japan initiative to the next level, step by step.
Taking action when it matters most
Japan IT Business Impact
A client requests a presentation in Japanese. Crucial negotiations are stalling. An important client is threatening to pull out.
In situations like these, what counts is swift, clear on-site support. Japan IT-Business Impact helps you stabilise critical situations and restore confidence.
What sets my support in Japan apart
IT expert with experience in Japan
I bring decades of IT experience combined with a deep understanding of the language, culture, and business practices in Japan — a rare combination in the IT field.
Bridge between your HQ and Japan
I don’t just translate language; I also translate expectations, risks, and priorities — so that headquarters, departments, and Japanese partners can all work together toward a common goal.
Identifying the causes rather than treating the symptoms
At first glance, many problems in Japan appear to be down to sales, product or cultural issues. However, the root causes often lie much deeper. I help to highlight the underlying connections and tackle the real issues.
Experienced in critical situations
Whether it’s projects at risk, difficult client relationships or deadlocked decisions: I help management and project teams to clarify the situation, reconcile differing interests and get projects back on track.
Who I am
Alexander Frericks
Market Enablement Japan
Hello,
I am Alex Frericks — your expert on success with IT business in Japan.
Background
I hold a degree in computer science and have over 25 years of IT experience, including 8 years in research and IT consulting in Japanese in Japan. In addition, I have been certified as a QM auditor (ISO 9001:2015) since 2017.
- Sales Support & Presentations in Japanese
- Project Stabilization / Escalation Management
- Partner Enablement in Japanese
- Single-Point-of-Contact for Partners and VIP-Customers
- Preparation/Optimization of Support for Japan
- Sparring partner for Legal when it comes to Japanese contracts
- A trusted partner for senior management
Mission
I help mid-sized software companies successfully connect their teams with customers and partners in Japan — through decisions that will stand the test of time in Japan as well.
What You Can Expect
- Clear communication — even in complex situations
- Transparency early on instead of later escalation
- Clarity and Structure instead of Reactive Decision-Making
...and my faithful companion:
Chilly
Recommendations for Your Success in Japan
You don’t have to have all the answers today. The key is to know what the next sensible step is.
Whether you need initial orientation, a structured assessment of your current situation, or guidance & on-site support with a specific challenge:
The Japan IT Business Journey offers the right support. Together, we’ll work out what your next step should be in the current situation.
Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
The easiest way to get started is with my free Readiness self-assessment. It provides an initial assessment and helps you gauge how well your organisation is prepared for the Japanese market.
Would you prefer to discuss your situation in person? How about booking an introductory meeting (without any obligation, of course) ?