Illustration of a woman standing strong before a group of business leaders with a cityscape in the background, wielding her unique power to promote diversity by being excellent
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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.

Reciprocity

Learn what reciprocity is and how it can motivate people and boost sales.

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!

The glass ceiling, the gender pay gap, MeToo . . . Some issues are dressed up with new names, but the struggle for women’s equality goes back a long way. In the past few years, these and other diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues have at last taken center stage.

Now we talk about allies in the workplace and the role of CEOs. We ask new contacts for their pronouns and talk about DEI as a pillar of business strategy. The social movement for DEI is far from over, but we, as a society, finally have our foot in the door.

Now whose responsibility should it be to actually get us into the room?

In a perfect world, everyone would come together in a unified effort for DEI. But we hardly live in a perfect world, so we’re left wondering: Is it men (with their easy access to the top) who should take the lead for gender equality? Or is it women (who have the lived experiences to know what’s needed)?

Tracy Gopal, founder and CEO of Third Arrow Strategies, has made it her mission to promote diversity through corporate governance in Japan, leveraging an impressive network of even more impressive women in leadership to help her do it. We spoke to her about how women can—or should?—take on the role of moving the DEI needle.

Profile image of Ms. Tracy Gopal
Tracy Gopal

“I wouldn’t say that women should be responsible [for diversity], but I think they have to be responsible because that’s the world we live in.”

Insights: Let’s get right to it: Should women be responsible for promoting diversity in their companies?

Gopal: I wouldn’t say that women should be responsible, but I think they have to be responsible because that’s the world we live in. Of course, nobody’s going to say, “Okay, women, it’s your job to promote diversity.” Nobody would say that. But in reality, women are probably more suited to promoting diversity. They’re selected a lot of times and put on a task force for diversity for that reason.

I do believe there are men who want to be supportive—there are a lot of great men in Japan, even—but it’s probably going to fall more on the women.

“Your role as a woman and director is to be an excellent director.”

Insights: In your work to promote diversity, particularly women, on boards of directors, how do you advise women on their role?

Gopal: My network is not just about placing women on boards. It includes board directors who are aiming towards excellence. So what does that mean? It means:

  • How do you be more effective on your board?
  • How do you promote change on your board?
  • How do you promote change and diversity in the company?

Insights: Those are some big questions. Can women really move beyond token leadership roles and impact these kinds of changes?

Gopal: Absolutely. Many of the women in my network have moved well beyond token leadership roles. Their best practices can inspire all women directors in Japan to become more effective board directors—in all areas, but of course related to workforce diversity.

Next Article

Women Entrepreneurs Can Break New Ground with a Work Wife

Do you have a work wife? The innovative dynamic of female business partners is hailing a transformation of the business world.
Two women entrepreneurs sit side by side as each other's work wife in the office.

Insights: Can you tell as about some of these women?

Gopal: One is Elizabeth Masamune, an Australian woman fluent in Japanese who is a director with Arakawa Chemical, a very traditional Japanese company. She took it on as her responsibility to empower the women, created women’s groups, and gave women across divisions chances to connect, as well as work on projects to present to senior leadership.

Junko Sasaki, too, is a director on several boards, including Yaskawa Electric. She has also been a voice for diversity. Many times, boards do see challenges, whether it be finding executive directors in the company or finding women to promote in more remote offices outside Tokyo. Ms. Sasaki and many other members of my network are usually there to recognize difficulties, but also to challenge the board to find solutions.

Another example is Jenifer Rogers, who serves on the board of Nissan. In her role, she  ensures that the board supports female executive directors and managers, as well as robust internal policies and practices. She also focuses on being an excellent non-executive director by contributing her diverse perspectives for meaningful debate and innovation.

Insights: How do you translate these amazing stories into actionable takeaways for your network?

Gopal: When I tell these stories, I like to emphasize a few points. Number one: You can make tremendous change and promote diversity as a director. And number two: That shouldn’t be your only job as a board director.

Insights: Meaning women should take on diversity, but not feel obligated?

Gopal: Meaning your role as a woman and director is to be an excellent director. Diversity is one of your responsibilities, but you should be asking intelligent questions on every critical issue that comes up related to business strategy. I want the women to think strategically about how to increase returns for shareholders for good corporate governance in Japan—or anywhere.

Next Article

The Future of Work Is More (and Better) Board Diversity

Corporate governance in Japan has traditionally been very weak. Investors are now leading the charge to change this and bring greater board diversity.
A woman stands up in a meeting behind closed glass doors, talking to a committee with board diversity as men in suits blur past in the foreground

“We have to change the concept of what a woman can contribute and look at her skills.”

Insights: It could be said that, in a way, the gender gap is pushing women to excel beyond where they otherwise would. In Japan, for example, most female board directors have a master’s compared to men. What’s your perspective on that?

Gopal: While it’s good for career development, the reason for the two different career paths is not positive. Removing the option for Japanese women to work at Japanese companies seems somewhat absurd—for both the women and for the company.

Many of the Japanese women in my network that have been successful studied abroad, which is excellent because they speak English very well. But most of them made their careers in foreign companies, at universities, or as professionals like lawyers, accountants, and financial consultants.

So I think that, yes, it’s great that women got MBAs. But because there aren’t many lateral transfers into Japanese companies, to eliminate that option also creates a problem for Japanese companies.

Insights: What do you say to women who feel change will never come to a country like Japan?

Gopal: First, it is actually rare for me to hear concern that change will never come. Many talk about some positive changes and opportunities they’re already seeing.

Second, Japan is not the first country to have resistance to adding women to the board. In Norway, when they put in a 40% quota, all the companies were scrambling. Trying to replace 40% of your board with women? That that’s a big task. Adding one woman over a period of six years? That’s nothing.

Insights: Does that mean women just need to be patient?

Gopal: I think there has been too much patience by all constituencies.

Women need to be excellent performers to promote diversity and influence new definitions. In the US, we also had the barrier of what a qualified candidate looked like for a board director position. It used to be that a qualified candidate was a former CEO who had prior board experience. Obviously, there were no women that met that criteria because all the CEOs were men! What had to happen was that the criteria for a qualified board director had to change.

I think Japan is going in that direction. The women being put on boards are non-traditional. They’re not company executives who have thirty years in a company, but they have other skills—digital transformation, AI, legal expertise, etc. We just have to change the concept of what a woman can contribute and look at her skills. Then the pool greatly expands.

Next Article

How to Make an Innovative DEI Business Strategy: A Checklist

Are you jumping into diversity without understanding your unique pain points or systemic biases? Effective diversity starts with a solid DEI business strategy.
A row of multiracial women's hands lift up puzzle pieces to show the importance of thinking through a DEI business strategy

“Each time a woman demonstrates excellence, it helps other women down the line.”

Insights: What’s your advice for women who feel like fighting the diversity fight is a lonely road?

Gopal: First, this is no longer a battle to fight alone. The woman board directors I know are quite strong. They are both energized from the signs of change and frustrated at some backwards steps. For the women who have made it to the senior ranks of their companies, I applaud them. This was not an easy road, and they made sacrifices.

What I’d also like to tell them is that there are now resources to support them. There is an entire global community to support women, including Japanese women.

Finally, I’d remind them that the merits of diversity compound over time, including better retention of female staff and better candidates.

Insights: It sounds like there’s a lot of pressure for women to persevere in promoting diversity and set a good example.

Gopal: Yes, but it’s also an opportunity. When the other board directors see how excellent you are, there’s a greater chance they’re going to find another woman. So each time a woman demonstrates excellence, it helps other women down the line.

That’s my philosophy: If I can get the board women to just knock the socks off of the other board directors and be excellent, that can have an impact. One of my main goals of the network is to aggregate and elevate talent for Japan—to show there are candidates, and to help them be excellent.

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