An exclusive seminar focusing on Talent Management by Japanese companies in Europe was held by Egon Zehnder International on 14 April 2008 in the Industrie-Club in Dusseldorf, the city that is home to one of the largest Japanese communities in Europe.
Recruiting and promoting top European leaders poses major challenges for Japanese companies, which are expanding worldwide. Lifelong loyalty to a single employer and a clear hierarchy are two characteristics of the Japanese corporate culture that often conflict with the expectations of top talent. So it is not surprising that foreigners rarely hold top leadership positions in Japanese companies.
The seminar centred on exchanges regarding Best Practices in Talent Management and the presentation of a study by Egon Zehnder International. Around 30 participants, mostly Japanese and German top executives, participated in the event.
Speakers at the seminar included
Hiroshi Miyake, President of Mitsubishi International GmbH and Chairman of the Japanese Club in Düsseldorf,
Pierre de Labouchere, President and CEO, JT International, Hiroaki Takeda, Egon Zehnder International, Tokyo, and
Magnus Graf Lambsdorff, who heads Egon Zehnder International’s worldwide Talent Management activities.
The seminar ended with a lively and controversial panel discussion moderated by
Dr. Ruprecht Vondran, Chairman of the German-Japanese business circle. Alongside the guest speakers
Yasunori Fuji, Regional Head Germany and General Manager, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., was also invited to participate in the discussion. Fuji is President of the Japanese International Chamber of Commerce.
