Working The Japan Way

I was mentioning how the end of a chapter spells another beginning back last month. Time sure flies and I'm already near 3 weeks into my job. I must say, I'm rather impressed with myself, at how fast I managed to adapt to this whole new working environment. But definitely, I wouldn't have done it without the support of my girlfriend, that's for sure. She made me realized what's 'pillar of my life'. Aside for the relentless support, if not for the fact that the culture shock this Japanese company brings, I wouldn't even dare to consider it as a huge feat.

Interestingly, I got a culture shock on my first day of work. I don't know to feel glad or sad to be honest. The fact that I got a shock made my first few days of work tough, real tough. I reckon if I would have come from a more Asian and open company prior to this, things would probably be slightly easier for me. Perhaps comparison was at fault for this shock.

Therefore, I make a survival manual as to what you could possibly expect working in a Japanese company.

Unique Working Environment

You get low partition between each other  in this huge space in a single floor. In this classroom style working environment, you get literally low or NO privacy at all. Everyone can see what you are doing at your desktop. Everyone can see when you're the first person to leave the office. Everyone can see if you doze off during your work. And when I mention everyone, I really mean EVERYONE, all 100++ of them.

Because of this unique style, my boss sits just beside me, and he's probably just half an arm away from me. Oh, did I mention the only person who has a room in this entire company in the president? Yes, you hear me right, even Vice President, General Managers and Bosses sit in such open environment, so it's a literal truth that everyone can see what you are doing, even your big big big big big boss.

'The Phone Plays Music?!' 

This is definitely something new. And possibly the only thing you'll experience only if you are in a Japanese company. Our office phone is apparently customized so that our phone will ring at 9am (which is our official working start time), 12pm (lunchtime), 1pm (end of lunchtime) and lastly 5.45pm (official working end time). They will play such nice melody for a mere 30 seconds before it stops and the phone is definitely very punctual. Unchained melody?

Cleanest Toilet Award 

Yes. You guessed it. How can I leave toilet bowl out. They see toilet as importantly as any other equipment or accessory in the office. And you won't be able to find a single squatting platform anywhere in the office. There's only toilet bowls. They are cleaner than most toilets you find in Singapore. And trust me you know you're in a Japanese company when each time you enter the toilet, the cover is closed. You open it up when you want to use it, and you close it back when you are done using it. Speaking about toilet manners. A good way to start from here definitely

Company's Greatest Asset

No doubt, when you are in a Japanese company, you get one of the most amazing mentality you could possibly see in the workforce. Thankfully, I was able to be part of this. We have seen how Japanese had the never say die attitude when they fought the war back in our grandpa days. We have seen how Japanese worked together with each other to tide over the major earthquake last year. This is the spirit within them. They instill a mindset that each and everyone has a part to play in everything they do. This is no different in this company. If I fail in what is expected of me, it means my boss has failed. This is also the reason why bosses here never gives up on you easily. Call it ego if you want, but to them, if they are the ones who hire you, it means they have to prove that they have made the right choice, else, it will reflect badly on them. That is why, employees here are always learning because their bosses is willing to teach. This way, it attributes to us employees being a great assets of the company.

Workaholic

Japan, being where they are today with such advanced technology and economy, is by no means easy feat. The reason why they climb so fast on the economics ladder is because people there worked hard, literally. When I was back in Japan few years back, 11pm and I was in the bus coach cruising by office towers by the highway, all I see inside the building are brightly lit window panes. Indeed, people are still working at those hours. Their high suicide rates is also caused by the tremendous stress from work. Japanese worked hard. The employees in my company is the same. To them, a hardworking or good employee is one who works till late. Never mind if you are not doing your work efficiently or effectively, so long as you leave the office LATE, you are a good worker. Period. Dangerous for me, who still firmly believe in work life balance. 

Manners

Manners to the Japanese is extremely important and it has to be observed in the work place. Mobile phones has to be switched off, no speaking loudly, be considerate towards colleagues and superiors alike..etc...the list goes on. The way the bosses (Japanese mainly) speak to each other already shows how much manners mean to them. To them, what manners you display shows alot about yourself. A good place for me to turn less couth I suppose.

Punctuality

Punctuality matters more than anything else. Every seconds counts here. If you're late, be prepared to be on the target list of your superior. The Japanese are VERY VERY particular about punctuality. To them, if you cannot even observe punctuality, how are you even to manage your work. To them, if you have poor time management, chances are, you are not going to be good at managing the tasks and responsibilities entrusted to you. This is definitely no joke, especially for someone like me.

I'm sure there's more to what was mentioned here but basically, the gist of it is here. And if you noticed, most of which actually attributes one to be a better person, not just a better employee. I'm sure this workplace will expose me to much more than I can learn and hopefully, I can really be a better employee and person through this valuable opportunity given to me.