Business

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, April 13, 2009 A fringe benefit of business with Japan By Mike Benbow Herald Columnist Many government groups have their own watchdogs -- people who keep an eye on what they do and who ask frequent questions. David Mascarenas of Everett is one of those for the Port of Everett commission. A retired labor organizer, he's not afraid of asking the tough questions in his own blunt fashion. Such was the case a few weeks ago when the port announced plans to send commissioners Michael Hoffmann and Phil Bannan on a marketing trip to the Hiroshima prefecture in Japan. Do we need to send commissioners to Japan for what looks like a vacation trip? Mascarenas asked. If so, do we really need to send two commissioners? Phil, you've been there before. Why are you going, too? he asked. At that point, the commissioners might have ignored Mascarenas and gone on, which they have done on occasion. But Hoffmann paused to question whether he could add value to the trip or if just sending the port staff was enough. And Bannan said he knew it was important to send government officials to cement business relationships in Japan, but he wasn't so sure that two were needed. At a recent meeting, Hoffmann said he'd checked with Mayumi Smith at the Nippon Business Center at Everett Community College and been advised that not only should he go, but he should take Bannan with him. The idea is that Bannan, a longtime commissioner who plans to retire when his term ends this year, could introduce Hoffmann, a younger man in the early part of his first term. I called Smith last week to learn more. "I think that's a great idea," she said. "Phil has been to Japan several times. It's nice to have him as part of the delegation. It's better." Better, she went on to say, because Bannan could introduce Hoffmann personally and personal relationships are very important in Japanese business relationships. In the United States, she said, people are comfortable doing business through detailed contracts. "The Japanese culture is more person related," she said. "Meeting people in person is very, very important." Smith said the commissioners won't get a vacation because their trip will be filled with "many meetings that can make a huge difference." She expects Hoffmann to learn a lot about the Japanese culture, and more importantly, the protocol necessary to do business there. The Port of Everett does a lot of business with Japan, including importing a lot of jet parts headed to the Everett Boeing plant. Port officials have gone on several visits through the years and officials from the Hiroshima government have come to Everett. Smith said that's all about "creating a trusting relationship" that is central to a long-term business plan. You can make your own decision about whether tax dollars should be spent to send port commissioners (especially two of them) to Japan. But I have to say that I like the idea of establishing relationships with a culture that worries less about sticking fine print into a contract and more about getting to know the people it's dealing with. I'm for worrying less about the quick buck and more about the long term. I like the idea of making fewer business calls on a cell phone and having more discussions face to face. At a recent dinner with a friend, we talked about whether the recession might allow Americans to slow down a bit, spend less time on the phone or the Internet, and get back to a more sane lifestyle. There may not be a much chance of that happening, but it's sure nice to think about. Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459; benbow@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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