Guest Speaker
Business Seminar
For Osaka Innovation Hub: Expanding startup businesses in Singapore
Sep 2018
20 startup entrepreneurs and students from Osaka Innovation Hub visited WASABI Creation as part of their one week study tour in Singapore. Tong (Founder, CEO), together with Yuta Morita (Intern, SMU MBA student) conducted a seminar for the group on how they can expand their businesses from Japan to Singapore. They covered topics such as incorporation in Singapore, Singapore's demographic, consumer behaviour, influencer marketing, popup store marketing, etc. The participants were very interested in these topics and asked many questions such as "What are the common difficulties and errors Japanese companies have when doing business in Singapore." Tong was glad to have shared his experiences and expertise in these areas.
Japanese Lessons
For foreign domestic workers & caretakers
Sep 2018
WASABI Creation was requested by a nursing training school to conduct Japanese lessons to its students comprising of foreign domestic workers and caretakers. The students are attending the school to step up their skills in nursing care for the elderly. As Japan is seriously facing the hit of aging population, and lack of manpower in providing care to the elderly, they have opened up working opportunities in Japan to foreign caretakers.
In view of this, these foreign domestic workers are trying out learning Japanese to equip themselves with the language skill that will enable them to work in Japan in the future.
Guest Speaker
Seminar to Ryokoku University: How Singapore's policies have shaped a multiracial and international society.
2 Sep 2018
A group of 40 students from Ryokoku University, Japan visited WASABI Creation as part of their educational tour in Vietnam and Singapore. WASABI Creation founder, Tong conducted a seminar on Singapore policies that have shaped the country's multiracialism, and built an international society.
More and more Japanese companies realise the need to venture overseas market as its domestic market continue to string due to aging population and depopulation, however there is a lack of talent within Japan who has the experience, skills, and know-how to bring business across boarders. We hope the seminar will be able to share with the students some ideas and tips on how to be a global talent.
Guest Speaker
Seminars to Business Schools in Delhi, India
Aug 2018
WASABI Creation was invited by our partner, Intraversity in Delhi, to conduct talks to students of various business and management colleges in India. Over the week, we visited and met students from Jaipuria School of Business, JK Business School, Institute of Technology And Sciences, and Accurate Institute of Management & Technology. We shared with the students about our business, market trends in Japan and Singapore, and answered the students' questions on entrepreneurship.
WASABI Creation is also in talks with the schools to work with our partner in bringing students to Singapore for educational tour and internship.
Guest Speaker
"How SMU MBA Students can prepare themselves in working with the Japanese?"
6th Jul 2018
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong was invited by SMU MBA Class to speak at "Japanese Business Night". Tong shared about his experiences when he was working as a fresh graduate in Japan, and talked about Japanese business culture that is unique and special to non-Japanese people.
Tong also talked about basic Japanese business etiquette, such as exchanging business cards, and seating positions for Japanese business meetings. The MBA students shown great interest with many questions.
The event ended with a party serving Sushi for everyone.
Entrepreneurship Training Camp 2nd edition
"Partnership with SAI International College Bubhneshwar, India"
June 2018
WASABI Creation hosted 8 Indian students from SAI International College Bubhneshwar over 4 days for an intensive Entrepreneurship Training Camp at WASABI Creation's office. The students worked in groups of 2 on various topics such as coworking space business, India market entry, Japanese F&B market research, as well as overseas travel trends for India.
An extensive research in in these were done by the students, who also came up with creative proposals to implement new business into the fast growing market. Many presentations and discussions were held with the students to finalise the proposal.
At the end of the program, each student received a certificate of participation for their enthusiasm during the program.
WASABI Consulting
"What can Japanese students do to become international professionals?"
16th Mar 2018
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong was contacted by a group of students from Tokyo University, who are interested to learn about doing business internationally, as they planned their self-funded trip to Malaysia and Singapore. A sharing session was conducted over web conference, where Tong answered questions from the students, shared his own experiences, and gave advises to the students what they can do to groom themselves into international professionals.
Here are the reviews and comments from the students.
WASABI Insight vol.10
Business in Japan~
"Japanese Business Culture & Manners"
1st Mar 2018
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong held a seminar sharing his experiences and insights on doing business in Japan, in particular on the topic of "Japanese Business Culture & Manners".
Tong shared from his own personal experience overs the years while he has been working in Japan, and doing business with Japanese companies. As he grew up and went through the education system in Singapore, knowing the language didn't seem to have prepared him enough to work in Japan as a fresh graduate. Tong talked about the episodes he had encountered all these years, and cover some of the basics about "Japanese Business Culture & Manner".
Topics:
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Japanese business culture 101, how are the Japanese thinking?
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Exchanging business cards
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Visiting & hosting a Japanese company
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Useful Japanese expressions for business
More information: Business in Japan~ "Japanese Business Culture & Manners"
Guest Speaker
The Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, Singapore (CLAIR, Singapore)
Feb 2018
The Founder of WASABI Creation, Tong was invited by The Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, Singapore (CLAIR, Singapore) to share about WASABI Creation's business and its expertise in helping Japanese companies go global
Tong shared about his past, present, and future projects on how WASABI Creation is bridging Japan, Singapore, and the rest of Asia in terms on Business, Culture, and Tourism. In particular, Tong talked about his observation of how many Japanese companies are facing difficulty in presenting their products to the local markets overseas, and what could be so the solutions to better communicating with local consumers and making online connections for building relationships.
About CLAIR, Singapore
Japan Travel Blog
Tokushima - Kyoto - Tokyo
21~28 June 2019
by Tong, CEO WASABI Creation
Hotel Vischio Kyoto (1): Where Business Meets Leisure
When it comes to hotels, everyone has their own preferences. Some will regard the spaciousness as a deal-breaker, while others may not be too fussy as long as the accommodation is of walking distance to the nearest station.
Safe to say, there is no pleasing everyone. However, if I may say so myself, Hotel Vischio Kyoto cuts pretty close to the perfect hotel. As a business consultant, I am always travelling for work. This time round, following my trip to Tokushima for an inbound tourism project, I travelled to Kyoto for some business matching activities with a Singaporean company.
Opting for coach, I arrived at Kyoto Station. Though Kyoto is known for its ancient charm, bamboo forests and professional geishas making hasty steps along cobbled streets, its main station is surprisingly modern. Even though I have lived and worked in Kyoto for five years, I am somehow always taken aback by the hustle and bustle of it all.
Literally at a stone’s throw away, I arrived at my recommended accommodation - Hotel Vischio Kyoto. The hotel is a short 2 min walk from the Hachijoguchi exit, which shouldn’t be a surprise as it is run by West Japan Railway Company after all. More commonly referred to JR-West, one of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), the company operates hotels and shopping centres, on top of its intricate railway services that spans across Japan.
Visitors will find that no matter the mode of transportation to Kyoto Station, the hotel is an easy reach from there.
For international travellers arriving at Kansai International Airport, the best way will be to take an airport limousine bus (located just right outside the arrival hall). After a comfortable 1.5-hour ride, the bus will drop you off at Kyoto Station and you can easily navigate your way from there. Easy, convenient and economical – there’s no going back to Haruka Express after this.
Stepping in, one is immediately welcomed by the generous space of the hotel lobby, with natural light pouring in from all sides. Checking in was a breeze, as expected, with attentive and efficient service from the Japanese staff.
Cash strapped from all the shopping? Not to fret, If you run out of Japanese yen, there is also a currency exchange machine in the lobby, providing exchange for 12 foreign currencies.
Despite its minimalistic concept, there are many facilities. Self-check-in kiosk are prominently located for customers who prefer to check in themselves. Besides Japanese, the default language can be changed to foreign languages like English, Chinese and Korean, so not to worry if you don’t speak Japanese. I tried my hand at the machine before I left, and it took less than 30 seconds.
Unlike other hotels where the amenities will only be replenished after room service, customers can take their pick from the amenities corner near the lobby. From neatly wrapped cotton buds to compact shower caps, one can take what they actually need. Just be careful not to go overboard with the freebies.
Doesn’t matter if you are a tea person, or a coffee person, Hotel Vischio Kyoto’s got your back. Apart from sachets upon sachets of the hotel’s own blend of hojicha and green tea, they also carry the popular Kyoto Kogawa Coffee.
Nothing says ‘Welcome!’ like a personalised TV screen with my name on it.
Incredibly spacious room. I have been to too many hotel rooms with less than ideal walking space, where I have to leave my luggage half opened, much to my chagrin.
In any case, nothing beats a nice, clean and comfortable bed for the night. It is important to have a good rest after a busy day jam-packed with meetings and having to navigate your way in a foreign country.
Affixed within arm’s reach and conveniently at the side of my bed, there is a control panel for the lights and USB charging ports for charging all my gadgets: phone, camera, pocket Wi-Fi, electric fan and power banks.
Speaking of Wi-Fi, I usually order online from Japanese companies and have it delivered to my hotel. An email to the hotel and it will be safeguarded at the reception until my arrival. As compared to the ones you can get at Changi Airport, it is significantly cheaper at about S$2 per day or less, depending on the type of plan you get. If you are interested to know how to go about with rental procedures, I am more than happy to share.
Again, pretty rare to have such a luxury of space in a Japanese hotel, especially useful for some coffee while I get some work done.
The bathroom is particularly spacious and atypical of Japanese bathrooms, as the showerhead are normally fixed atop the bath tub.
The toilet, wash basin, and the bathroom are all separated, leaving a lot of space for comfort and convenience while you wash up.
Since the hotel is right next to Kyoto Station, there are many shopping and eating places nearby. Right next to the hotel is Kyoto Avanti (http://kyoto-avanti.com/), where you can find a Don Quijote outlet, otherwise affectionately referred to in Singapore as Don Don Donki.
If that is not enough, the Kyoto Station building is a mega shopping center by itself. Known as The Cube (http://www.thecube.co.jp/), one will be bedazzled by the sheer amount of shops within the space, housing an multi-storey Isetan, Kyoto Ramen Koji (Ramen street: https://www.kyotostation.com/kyoto-ramen-street-kyoto-ramen-koji/) with specialty ramen from all over Japan and Porta underground shopping mall.
There are is also Kyoto Yodobashi and Bic Camera in close proximity (https://www.kyotostation.com/shopping-at-kyoto-station/).
Japan Travel Blog 2018: click below to see other stories
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WASABI Creation Pte. Ltd.
6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, JustCo,
#03-308 Singapore 039594