Managing telecommuting and remote work in the Japanese company environment

Practical information and ideas

The Japanese workstyle has traditionally been focused on everyone being in the same place at the same time, which has worked against the adoption of telecommuting. But with increasing emphasis on work-life balance, promoting women’s workforce participation, and now COVID-19, more firms in Japan, and Japanese companies’ operations in the U.S., are introducing work-at-home arrangements. Remote teams are also becoming more common.

This 90-minute course will cover techniques for getting the best results from remote working situations. The following topics are covered:

  • Why telecommuting is not popular in Japan
  • Concerns that Japanese managers typically have about remote workers
  • Best practices for remote work
  • Setting your communication and software tools
  • Including the remote worker in the informal communication processes
  • Tracking progress and task management
  • Visualizing results – a challenge of remote work, and how to solve it
  • Effective teleconferences and videoconferences
  • Techniques for increasing team spirit when everyone is in different locations

The course is taught by Japanese business culture expert Rochelle Kopp and management consultant Susan Doctors, who both have long experience supporting Japanese organizations in effectively managing remote work situations.

The contents are relevant for Japanese firms, and for non-Japanese firms with operations in Japan.

A Japanese language version of this course is available here.

Japan Intercultural Consulting is also available to consult with companies on effective management of at-home workers and remote teams.


Your Instructor


Rochelle Kopp
Rochelle Kopp

Rochelle Kopp is a management consultant specializing in cross-cultural communication, human resources, and organization development. She works with Japanese companies doing business globally and global companies doing business in Japan or working closely with Japanese companies. A veteran facilitator experienced in delivering training and consulting to participants from around the world, Rochelle frequently leads cross-cultural teambuildings and other programs for executives. She also works with many Japanese and non-Japanese leaders as an executive coach.

Rochelle works with Japanese companies, helping them to be more successful in their global operations, supporting effective management practices, organization development, and cultural training and teambuilding. She also has a particular interest in helping Japanese companies understand and learn from Silicon Valley. She also works frequently with global firms that have Japanese subsidiaries, customers, joint venture partners, and suppliers.

ロッシェル・カップは、異文化コミュニケーション、人事管理、組織開発を専門とする経営コンサルタントです。世界各地で事業展開する日本企業、および日本での事業展開や日本企業との取引があるグローバル企業に対してアドバイスを提供しています。世界各地からの参加者を対象とした研修の講師および相談役としての経験も深く、数々の異文化チームビルディングやエグゼクティブ向けのプログラムを率いてきました。また、エグゼクティブコーチとして、日本人や日本人以外の多数のリーダーにコーチングを提供しています。

日本企業へのアドバイザー役としては、グローバルな事業展開を効果的に進められるよう助言し、経営管理と組織開発をサポートするとともに、文化面のトレーニングやチームビルディングなどを手がけています。特に日本企業がシリコンバレー流の経営を理解し、そこから学べるよう支援することに関心を注いでいます。また、日本に子会社、取引先、合弁事業パートナー、サプライヤなどを有するグローバル企業に対しても、多数のコンサルティングを行っています。


Course Curriculum


  First Section
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days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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