Date of publication: Dec 02, 2019
Mark Passmore
- Director, Sales Finance and Operations
- Adobe www.adobe.com
Date of birth:
Hometown: Tokyo
Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 11 (as of December 2019)
Q1: What was your first encounter with Japan?
I first came to Japan in August 2004 for work. I was struck by how different Japan was from any country I’d been to before. The things that stick in my memory are the heat and humidity, green tea in office vending machines, the challenge of navigating the Tokyo subway system and an unsurpassed level of politeness and customer service everywhere I went.
Q2: Please state your motto in life and why you have chosen it.
My motto in life is “Be positive”— about yourself, and others. I try and find positive ways of looking at every curveball that comes my way. Setbacks are often catalysts for new, and better, ways of thinking, and create opportunities that weren’t previously on anyone’s radar. I also always try to assume positive intent on the part of others; I find it helps to move more quickly to action and beneficial outcomes than the alternative.
Q3 : Over your career, what achievement are you the proudest of?
I am most proud of having worked on four different continents (Asia, Australia, Europe and North America), and successfully adapting to the very different corporate cultures and working styles of each one.
Q4 : What are your goals during your time in Japan, your current position or in life?
My personal goal is to constantly improve my spoken and written Japanese (currently JLPT N2). In my position with Adobe, my goal is to support Japan in its journey of digital transformation, both at the individual level through technology such as digital signatures, and at the corporate level, reimagining digital for local and global enterprises based in Japan.
Q5 : What wisdom, advice or tips can you give to people living and working in Japan?
Last updated: Dec 02, 2019