Francesco Tiberio
- Vice President
- Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan K.K.
- iccj.or.jp
- General Manager
- Magneti Marelli Japan K.K.
- www.magnetimarelli.com
Date of birth: Oct. 22, 1972
Hometown: Bologna, Italy
Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 3 (as of October 2017)
In 2007 I started traveling for business to Japan.
It has been a magical experience since I first encountered this Country. The atmosphere, the people and the places made me feel just as comfortable as at home. This was definitely the first foreign place where I felt “at ease” from the first moment.
“Not the one who starts, but the one who persists.” This is the motto from the Italian Navy school ship, a beautiful full-rigged sailing vessel. I think this motto embraces the challenge to not only believe in an idea, but also to have the strength, the passion and the patience to build your business step by step. After all, in Japan business is based on long-lasting relationships.
Business achievements such as negotiating important contracts or gaining new customers are always the result of a team’s work, not a single player. I feel proud when I see my team becoming independent, when decisions are taken straight and firmly after an open discussion.
I’m proud when I can get the best out of someone and when I can help people trust each other and make great things.
Japan is a unique Country, I still need to improve the language and know much more of its culture. Understanding the ways to embrace this into my “headquarter’s culture” keeps me active in evolving and improving my way to approach work and life.
Japan is not a place for short passage, it’s the key to establish long term relationships. I plan to further develop our company business with its stable presence.
Take your time to understand the dynamics of business in Japan. Be patient as results will not come early.
Find the time to learn about the history and the culture. Japan is a wonderful country with amazing landscapes, World Heritage sites and spiritual places to visit.
If you are tenacious you can challenge yourself to learn the language, which will increase your ability to interact on a broader level.
When dealing with partners, customers, or vendors, keep in mind that an individual’s reputation is one of the highest values, so pay attention to show respect, even in difficult situations.