Activate Japan

May 30, 2008 Unicef will hold a great concert in the Pacifico Arena in Yokohama, Japan. The performances will feature artists combining African traditional music with Japanese pop, hip hop and classical musicians. Japanese famous artists include X-Japan Toshi, Bledzz, Sojiro and Murakami Ponta The proceeds from the concert will go to Unicef and HIV/Aids relief in Africa. The concert will be recorded live and released by Apple iTunes. Apple will also donate the proceeds of the sales to Unicef. Jett Edwards and Gerald Gentemann are producing the concert.

Music meets manga with “www:sh.shinzou.jp” Shinzou Sound, a group of artists and musicians launched “Synesthesia” the interactive online manga on 12th of August 2006. “Shinzou Sound” is a group of creative collaborators sp specializing in manga, music, web design, and sub-culture. They joined forces with the simple concept of merging their talents in an effort to deliver the new entertainment of music and manga in an innovative way. Exclusive songs, inspired by the manga story have been commissioned for “Synesthesia” as well as playlist from international and Japanese DJ’s. The music, podcasts and playlists are available from iTunes Music Store Japan. Project members include leader Nick Wood, Simon Le Bon, Tatsuya Oe, DJ Sugiurumn, Alex Paterson, Detroit 7, manga artist Enka Sugihara and web designer Hideki Owa, with more names being added as each new episode is released. “Synesthesia*” has three main characters: Shinzou (main character), his sister Tamako, and DJ Karita (who they met when they accidentally swapped iPods on the train). These se 3 individuals form a band and begin a journey of musical inspiration. *Synesthesia is a neurological condition which causes ones sense to influence another sense, for example, people with synesthesia may see shapes or colors when they hear sound, or see colors or shapes, they might hear sounds. Some of the world’s most notable artist from Jimmy Hendrix to Mozart have been gifted with sy synesthesia, which could be one reason why they were able to erase boundaries between the senses and open perception to new possibilities. The story is split into 10 episodes with one new episode release every 2 weeks.. Each new episode co comes with an original new song, which can be downloaded free, from iTunes. Users can also so download Podca casts showing behind the scenes, interviews and more. Shinzou sounds are also planning a live event to merge the manga st storyline with an actual live event. They plan to invite artist who’ve contributed to the project to participate in bringing Shinzou’s world to the stage. Shinzou sounds plan to publish a physical manga book at the end of the “Synesthesia” series along with a full-length digital album featuring the entire soundtrack, this will be a true co collectors edition.

The mobile telephony landscape in Japan is very sophisticated and changes more rapidly than in any other country in the world. New technologies have been introduced so that customers can use the phone almost with the same functionality of a credit card and certainly vendors have made mobile phones as functional as cash earning the nickname “e-wallet.” A case in point the extensive train system throughout the country now allows its riders to board the train and pay for his or her fare at the seat. Scanning devices are above each seat next to the reading lamps. Even the common Coca-Cola vending machines accept the e-wallet that can be embedded in every mobile handset in Japan. There are over 1.5 million of these type vending machines. The “Smart” pumps at Exxon Mobile stations, toll-booths on the freeway, theater tickets and so on are all mobile phone payment accessible. Clients cannot afford not to explore this opportunity before their competitors embark on a faster track to potential consumers. Toward that end it is extremely important that brands deliver a snapshot of the relevant mobile or m-commerce and securities technologies and how they could impact the future development of their businesses. Craig Courter, COO of Baker McKenzie, said, “We live in an ideas jungle…. the most important skill a project manager can bring to bear is the ability to sort, categorize and prioritize all of the ideas…only then can you implement a change that truly advances your strategy.” In the mobile telephony industry there is truly a jungle of new ideas.

GE’s learning organization has a very strong if not “ideal” corporate culture. Jack Welch, Chairman and CEO of General Electric said, “The best companies know, without a doubt, where the real productivity comes from. It comes from challenged, empowered, excited, rewarded teams of people. It comes from engaging every single mind in the organization, making everyone part of the action, and allowing everyone to have a voice in the success of the enterprise.” The concept that stuck in my mind most from looking at GE’s coporate structure would come directly from Welch’s quote, “…engage every single mind in the organization…” Even in a very domestic Japanese firm where there are more formal organizations and extreme resistance to change a lesson can be learned, engage every mind and listen to every single mind even when they are resisting change is critical to initiating change. The power of volition. One suggestion in Japan would be to prepare people for obstacles. This approach in Japan is helpful because many times Western companies undertake challenges that are incredibly tough and team members are often ready to give up on an idea at the slightest sign of difficulty. Help to exploit choices…a manager’s team has to know they have permission to stretch and the license to dare even though they may fail…with that license they can commit to a task with no reservation.

The mobile telephony landscape in Japan is very sophisticated and changes more rapidly than in any other country in the world. New technologies have been introduced so that customers can use the phone almost with the same functionality of a credit card and certainly vendors have made mobile phones as functional as cash earning the nickname “e-wallet.” A case in point the extensive train system throughout the country now allows its riders to board the train and pay for his or her fare at the seat. Scanning devices are above each seat next to the reading lamps. Even the common Coca-Cola vending machines accept the e-wallet that can be embedded in every mobile handset in Japan. There are over 1.5 million of these type vending machines. The “Smart” pumps at Exxon Mobile stations, toll-booths on the freeway, theater tickets and so on are all mobile phone payment accessible. Clients cannot afford not to explore this opportunity before their competitors embark on a faster track to potential consumers. Toward that end it is extremely important that brands deliver a snapshot of the relevant mobile or m-commerce and securities technologies and how they could impact the future development of their businesses. Craig Courter, COO of Baker McKenzie, said, “We live in an ideas jungle…. the most important skill a project manager can bring to bear is the ability to sort, categorize and prioritize all of the ideas…only then can you implement a change that truly advances your strategy.” In the mobile telephony industry there is truly a jungle of new ideas.