Influencer Marketing
Expand your reach and engage with your target audience using this trending technique that blends celebrity endorsements with social media marketing.
Leading High Performing Remote Teams
How can leaders ensure that performance remains high in remote or hybrid-work environments?
Design Thinking
Learn the 5 phases of this problem-solving methodology and switch from technology-centered to user-centered thinking.
Gantt Chart
Invented in the early 20th century, the Gantt Chart is one of the building blocks of modern project management. In this online course, you'll learn how this tool can be used effectively to monitor progress and achieve your team's goals.
Navigating Change Successfully
The working landscape is continually shifting and being disrupted, so how to employees maintain a sense of stability? Listen to CEO and president of Carl ZEISS Japan Stefan Sacre share his expertise on dealing with change in organizations and entire industries.
Halo Effect
The halo effect is often leveraged for marketing and promotion. But as a type of cognitive bias, it can also have a subconscious impact on decision-making in the workplace. Learn why and (how to overcome it) in this online course.
Anchoring and Framing
Want to increase your confidence during negotiations? Master the principles of anchoring and framing to take your negotiation skills to the next level.
ZOPA and BATNA
Understanding ZOPA and BATNA will help you become a better negotiator, create more value, and feel more confident at the table.
Content Marketing
In this course, you’ll learn how compelling blogs, videos, podcasts, and other media can reach customers and drive sales. You’ll also learn steps for creating an effective content marketing plan, and some important ways to measure its impact and success.
Content marketing is a essential digital marketing strategy for companies looking to provide relevant and useful information to support your community and attract new customers.
Get started on your content marketing journey today.
Sustainable Innovation in Times of Disruption: Choices for a Better Society
There are opportunities for progress all around us. The key is to innovate on these opportunities sustainably.
To help identify most effective path forward, you'll need to gain a global perspective to these challenges in an open discussion. How can Japan and the world take action to create a more sustainable, innovative world? Where do you fit in?
It's time to find out.
Social Media & Digital Communications: Impact on Global Public Opinion
Social and digital media have dominated the communications industry for decades. But it's no secret that social media has the power to sway public opinion, and the way in which many companies use these platforms could be seen as manipulative.
What do companies need to be aware of when utilizing social and digital media? How can these mediums be used to better communicate strategically with the world?
Discover what top media and communications experts have to say.
Blockchain
Blockchain is one of the most captivating technologies out there. Learn what it is and how to make use of its opportunities in this short online course.
Mehrabian’s Rule
The 7-38-55 Rule, developed by Albert Mehrabian, suggests that effective communication relies less on the words we choose than on our tone of our voice, appearance, and body language. Learn how to put this theory to use for better communication in business.
Pareto Principle
Your time and resources are limited. Efficiency means learning to prioritize. The Pareto principle (also called the 80-20 rule) can help you identify the best way to use your time for maximum results.
Country Analysis Framework
Overseas expansion requires careful planning. The Country Analysis Framework can help you look beyond an industry-level analysis and reframe your view based on performance, strategy, and context. Try this short course to learn how it works.
SECI Model
The SECI model illustrates how knowledge is created and shared. Learn how to put it to use for best practices, and how the Japanese concept of “ba” fits in to broaden your perspective.
Johari Window Model
The Johari Window Model is a self-awareness framework that helps you better understand . . . you. Learn how its four quadrants can help you identify gaps between how you see yourself, and how others see you.
Sunk Costs
Wondering if you should continue an investment or look for something new? Sunk costs can have a powerful psychological impact on decision-making. Learn how to recognize them to ensure rational decisions.
CAGE Distance Framework
Want to expand overseas? The CAGE distance framework can help ensure you're constructing a solid global strategy in four areas: cultural, administrative, economic, and geographic. Learn how to leverage useful differences between countries, identify potential obstacles, and achieve global business success.
Groupthink
Groupthink refers to group pressure and the perception of consensus which together lead to ill-formed decisions—or even unnecessary risks. Learn to identify the warning signs of groupthink and apply countermeasures in this online course.
Deductive and Inductive Reasoning
Solving problems with the best results means using two types of thinking: deductive and inductive reasoning. In this online course, learn to form a broad premise, make observations, and form conclusions from different perspectives.
Critical Thinking: Hypothesis-Driven Thinking
Anyone can come up with a good idea. The real challenge is putting that idea into action. In this online course, explore how to form compelling, testable hypotheses and bring ideas to life in your own organization.
Critical Thinking: Structured Reasoning
Even a few simple techniques for logical decision making and persuasion can vastly improve your skills as a leader. Explore how critical thinking can help you evaluate complex business problems, reduce bias, and devise effective solutions.
Critical Thinking: Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is a central business skill, and yet it's the one many people struggle with most. This course will show you how to apply critical thinking techniques to common business examples, avoid misunderstandings, and get at the root of any problem.
How to Dream
Join globally renowned author and Columbia Business School professor Dr. Sheena Iyengar as she explains how to approach your dreams with a new perspective. Learn to reflect on what you long to accomplish and what stands in your way.
Logical Thinking
Logical thinking is at the heart of confident, persuasive decisions. This course will equip you with a five-point approach to more becoming a more logical thinker. Learn to classify ideas and distinguish fact from opinion.
Investing & Diversity: The Changing Faces of Venture Capitalists
Is the venture capital industry embracing diversity in investors? Watch global venture capitalists from around the world discuss the state of things and what needs to be done for a more inclusive future.
Servant Leadership
There's more to leadership than driving a team to profit. In fact, there's a word for looking beyond self-interest to prioritize individual growth: servant leadership. Try this course for a quick breakdown of what that is, how it works, and how it can lead to organizational success.
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
Ever wonder what makes a great leader? Whether your role requires leadership or not, understanding organizational behavior is useful for your career. This course from GLOBIS Unlimited can set you on your way.
Leadership vs. Management
Leadership and management are different skills, but today’s leaders must have both. Try out this course from GLOBIS Unlimited to understand the difference, as well as when and why each skill is necessary for motivation, communication, and value.
Strategy: Creating Value Inside Your Company
Have you ever wondered why certain companies are more successful than others? The answer is strategy: internal processes that control costs, allocate resources, and create value. This course from GLOBIS Unlimited can give you the tools you need for that strategic edge.
Strategy: Understanding the External Environment
To plan strategy on any level, you need to understand your company's external environment. In fact, your level of understanding can impact hiring, budgeting, marketing, or nearly any other part of the business world. Want to learn how to do all that? This course from GLOBIS Unlimited is the perfect first step!
Using Japanese Values to Thrive in Global Business
Japanese companies have unique cultural, communication, and operational challenges. But they also have values that have led to remarkable longevity. Check out this seminar to hear how these values help earn trust from overseas head offices and develop employees.
Turnaround Leadership: The Differences Between Japan and the West
What's the best way for leaders to communicate a shift in corporate strategy? How do you even know when it's time for such a change? This course explains how Japan might have one answer, Western companies another.
Conflict Management
Conflicts in the workplace are inevitable. But they can lead to positive outcomes if they’re managed well. Check out this online course for a two-step process that can help you manage conflict successfully.
Evernote Founder: How Tech Startups Can Break through in Japan
Can startup models from Hollywood and Silicon Valley succeed anywhere? Phil Libin, cofounder and CEO of startup incubator All Turtles, explains how AI can solve everyday problems to bring products to market.
Women Empowerment: Lessons from Cartier
How can women overcome gender inequality and reach their leadership goals? Cartier Japan CEO June Miyachi shares her secret in this special course from GLOBIS Unlimited.
Marketing: Reaching Your Target
Every company works hard to get its products into the hands of customers. Are you doing everything you can to compete? In this course, you’ll find a winning formula to turn a product idea into real sales. Follow along through the fundamentals of the marketing mix and see how companies successfully bring products to market.
Marketing Mix
Seeing good products into the hands of customers is no easy task. The marketing mix can help. It's a collection of strategies and tactics companies utilize to get customers to purchase their products or services, and is an essential part of the overall marketing process.
The Principles of Negotiation
With the proper skills and attitude, anyone can become a successful negotiator. But first, you'll need to learn the basics to prepare for, assess, and respond to offers for the best results. GLOBIS Unlimited can help.
Negotiation: Creating Value
Want to create more shared value between yourself and your negotiation opponent? Discover how cognitive bias affects the judgment of others. Try this course from GLOBIS Unlimited to master the value of negotiation.
Finding Your Life Purpose with Ikigai
Ikigai can guide you in your quest for self-discovery. Listen to Japanese brain scientist Ken Mogi explain why and how.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Want to leverage Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a leader? Try this short course to see how the theory can be applied in practical work scenarios.
Confirmation Bias
We all subconsciously collect information that reinforces our preconceptions. It's natural . . . but it does lead to a kind of flawed decision-making called confirmation bias. To become more objective and impartial, check out this course from GLOBIS Unlimited!
An Investor's Lesson to Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs have the power to transform societies for the better. But how do you attract investors to start or grow a business? Or to sell one? Check out this seminar for the answers to these and more, straight from a master venture capitalist!
Managerial Accounting
Managerial accounting is a powerful way to measure progress, identify problems, and meet your goals. Check out this course to learn how data-backed decisions can help you run your business.
Finance Basics: 1
For a healthy mix of quantitative planning, evaluation, and management, you need solid decision-making. And finance is the secret sauce! Get the essentials of finance in this two-part course from GLOBIS Unlimited.
Basic Accounting: Financial Analysis
Want to compare your performance vs. a competitor? Or evaluate a potential vendor? Then you'll need to conduct a financial analysis. This course will teach you how to use three financial statements and evaluate financial performance in terms of profitability, efficiency, soundness, growth, and overall strength.
Career Anchors
What drives you to be good at your job?
Career anchors are based on your values, desires, motivations, and abilities. They are the immovable parts of your professional self-image that guide you throughout your career journey.
Try this short GLOBIS Unlimited course to identify which of the eight career anchors is yours!
Digital Marketing Psychology to Transform Your Business
How does digital marketing really differ from traditional marketing? How is social media changing things really? And what's going on in Asia?
Pyramid Structure
Having the pyramid structure in your communication toolkit can not only help you approach a problem, but convince others that your solution is valid. Break away from linear thinking and test your logical thinking with this course from GLOBIS Unlimited!
Leadership with Passion through Kokorozashi
The key ingredient to success? Passion.
Finding your kokorozashi will unify your passions and skills to create positive change in society. This GLOBIS Unlimited course will help you develop the values and lifelong goals you need to become a strong, passion-driven leader.
AI First Companies – Implementation and Impact
AI is changing the way companies operate. How do you structure teams to increase efficiency?
Technovate in the Era of Industry 4.0
Is Industry 4.0 is the next step of human evolution human civilization? Dr. Jorge Calvo seems to think so. Join him to learn how the past can help you set goals for an exciting future of digital innovation.
Technovate Thinking
Business leaders of tomorrow need to harness the power of technology and innovation. That means understanding algorithms and how they drive business results. Discover opportunities to make technology work for your competitive edge.
Product Life Cycle
Every product takes a natural course through the market—there's a how, when, and why customers adopt products at different stages. Check out this course from GLOBIS Unlimited to find out how a product you use every day is part of this cycle.
Logic Tree
Logical thinking is the most valuable asset any business professional can have. That's why logic trees are such a valuable tool—they can help you identify a problem, break it down, and build it back up to a solution.
MECE Principle
Using the MECE principle can help ensure you categorize without gaps or overlaps. Check out this course from GLOBIS Unlimited for a practical demonstration of how it works!
“Are you open to receiving some coaching advice?” she asked. “You showed up in a little chair at the table.”
The woman who told me this wasn’t a nobody. She was a Japanese American professional who had twenty-one years of corporate work under her belt, and an additional ten years running her own coaching company. I was in year one of my business, so it seemed natural to look to her as more of a mentor than an equal. But that is where I sold myself short.
“When I saw your profile on LinkedIn,” she said, “I was really impressed and wanted to ask you questions about how you built your business. But when you showed up on the Zoom call, it felt like you sort of put me on a pedestal, as a mentor.”
It was a slight punch to my ego. The comment translated in my head as, “The woman you are on LinkedIn was more impressive than the one who showed up for the call.”
How did that happen?
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In the five years leading up to that call, I had gained invaluable international work experience and cross-cultural business knowledge. I’d acquired a new language and built a professional brand for myself without any corporate influence. I’d invested in myself and my business, first hiring a website and branding specialist, and then graduating from a one-of-a-kind, year-long coaching certification that trained therapists and healers for the coaching space. I also enrolled in a six-month, soul-centered business accelerator and a four-month holistic health and wellness program. And when the pandemic arrived, I went 100% virtual with customized coaching programs, collaborating with some incredible people and organizations for workshops and speaking engagements.
Yet, I still showed up at the Zoom table in my little chair.
Why do women so often fail to acknowledge their own career success and value? Sometimes it has to do with the pressure to respect our elders (or others who have walked a path before us). Younger professionals, especially, often glorify certain positions such as corporate executives, or feel intimidated by people who have more years of work experience.
It’s quite natural to want to learn from someone who has led a successful professional career. However, that reverence can also lead to us lower our own self worth, self image, and self confidence.
To make matters worse, those who are actually in those positions of power and experience don’t always understand how intimidating they can be. So when a young woman shows up to a meeting expecting to fully defer to the expert (like I did), it can confuse or even disappoint the other party.
Believe it or not, knowledge-sharing isn’t a one-way street from elder to younger. They want to learn from the new professionals on the block just as much as we want to learn from them.
Postures and Phrases That Put You in the Little Chair
There are a number of ways that the little chair manifests for women. Train yourself to be aware of the signs, and you can counteract them before you sink into the cushions.
Body Language
A shrinking body, caved-in shoulders, leaning into the screen towards the computer, hands on chin or touching face while the person is talking . . . All of these say “submissive,” “unsure,” and “not confident.”
Don’t let your slouch speak for you!
Shoulders back, neutral sitting position, regular distance from the computer screen, steady eye contact, calm and collected presence–all of these project confidence and say you’re ready for anything.
Verbal Language
Certain questions or language can place your counterpart on an uncomfortable pedestal. Here are just a few:
- “I don’t want to take up too much of your valuable time” or “Thank you for making time for me in your busy schedule.” These sound nice, but really they devalue your time and self worth.
- “Since you are more experienced than me, what do you think I could be doing better?” Soliciting free advice without stating a specific ask makes it more difficult for you to establish an equal footing with whomever you are talking to.
- “Wow, I can’t believe you were able to accomplish that.” This makes it sound like you could never achieve the same type of success. Don’t throw yourself under the bus!
Now here’s what showing up in a big chair sounds like:
- “I’m happy we both are able to exchange and talk about our experiences” or “I have [X minutes] to speak. Does your schedule align with this?” Now you’re acknowledging how valuable both your schedules are.
- “I have some ideas about my business. Could you give me some feedback on this particular one?” Now you’re conveying that you’ve got it together, for the most part, but you’ve also done your research and identified specifically how the other person can help you.
- “Your experiences really resonate with me. Thank you for sharing.” You’re not under the bus now–you’re on it!
After that embarrassing Zoom call, I resolved to leave my little chair behind, and the results were incredible.
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The very next week after making my self-worth resolution, I had a conference call with an eight-figure CEO based in Florida. He had created a unique de-risking process for large tech companies hiring C-level executives. During the call, I was unsure of what I was going to learn from the interaction, but I was determined to speak from and show up in a big chair.
About fifteen minutes into the meeting, I shared how I’d had some training around money mindset for entrepreneurs at different stages of business, up to eight-figure business owners included.
This immediately caught the CEO’s attention: “What kind of advice do you have for people in the seven-eight-figure range?”
On the inside, I was shocked that I was being asked for such advice. On the outside, I settled into my big chair.
“Your time is finite,” I told him confidently. “Therefore, you must build a business structure, model, or offers that don’t consume your time. If you book based on time availability, then you will always have an income cap…” I went on to share some solutions.
His reaction? “Wow, yeah, that is a great idea, and a solid reminder for me. Thank you.”
An eight-figure CEO thanked me for my advice. The big chair felt pretty good.
How Women Can Build Their Own Big Chair
I showed up in a big chair at the virtual table. From that day on, I vowed to continue to do so every time I met another person professionally. It was a tiny mindset shift with a huge impact. And you can do it, too. Here’s how:
- Show up with confidence.
At every business meeting or professional networking event, you want to establish trust quickly. That’s the best way for people to see you as an equal. To make that happen, you need to be confident, not timid. Proudly assert your own ideas, advice, and values. You have valuable insights and experiences.
The language you use to talk about yourself communicates your sense of self worth, as well as your values and purpose. Show that you believe in who you are, and people will want to get to know you, trust you, and work with you. Conveyed confidence translates to perceived confidence.
- Don’t judge a person by their LinkedIn profile.
Stop putting people on a pedestal, no matter how much you admire or feel intimidated by them. If you rely on LinkedIn for researching contacts, remember LinkedIn is a form of social media, just like Facebook or Instagram. People use it to share their career highlight reels, but rarely their setbacks. In other words, you’re looking at a small percentage of their whole journey.
It’s worth noting that the admiration you feel for others is actually your brain’s way of communicating strengths that you don’t yet recognize or acknowledge in yourself–what’s called a positive projection.
Don’t let a list of accolades deter you from reaching out, making new connections, or realizing your potential.
No matter what someone’s LinkedIn profile looks like, what their title represents, or how long they’ve been working in their industry, you can add value and trust to the conversation. But only if you pull up in a big chair.
Big Chair, Big Win
“I’ll be flying to LA in a couple weeks for a conference. I’d love to connect in person, if your schedule syncs up.”
The self confidence that came with my big chair took me beyond the call with a CEO thousands of miles away–it got me a seat at the table with him. A couple weeks after we spoke, we met face-to-face and had an incredible chat about leadership. He listened with interest as I shared my journey, and I learned about his principles and leadership values.
Ladies, I am sharing all this as an example of how you, too, can build on your mistakes and broaden your professional lens as you scale your careers or businesses. My mistake of putting one woman on a pedestal based on her LinkedIn profile led to a critical shift in mindset that changed me and my networking skills for the better.
When you show up in a powerful and authentic way, both parties feel more comfortable. With the right body language, phrasing, and sense of self worth, anyone can show up in the big chair–even you!
Kristy Ishii offers professional coaching services that include holistic career and transition mindset techniques. To learn more, get in touch with her at @kristymariko on Instagram or LinkedIn.
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