MLMs And MLMers In Japan
by: Michael Brymer
With more MLMers per population than any other country, Japan has become a main target of MLMs and MLMers looking for huge success abroad.
If timing and contacts are right then effortless success is very obtainable.
Perhaps you can divide Japanese MLMers into two categories. One being the normal long stayer type. These are people that are similar to any MLMer in America, Australia etc., they stay with the one MLM and mostly service their customers and or distributors with products. They are the house wife type who are happy to plod along.
The second type, and the subject of this MLM article, are the big MLMers who can bring in huge numbers of members and who often run multiple MLMs at the same time. They are in the business of MLM to make money and to make it fast and in large quantities.
The big MLMers here in Japan often work like a company. The top man decides to take on a new MLM and gives it to one of his top players. That person is then responsible for the success of that MLM and to report back. He is paid a good salary to work the MLM. They then go out and do it! They all have top positions as agreed.
These guys in their suits and expensive vans start touring their contacts. They work so hard that I'm not even sure if they sleep. They are going to and from every big MLMer in the country! A typical tour for them can be anywhere between one, two or three months. Then they go back and run trainings for all the new members and their new teams. Most of the people recruited are seasoned MLMers not people new to MLM or MLMs.
When I brought a new MLM to Japan one of them visited me at 3 a.m. after driving three hours on a road that takes most people four hours. I gave him the run down on the products and pay plan, you've never answered more questions! in such a short time! I think they left at about 9 a.m.. It felt like they'd been there for a week. If my brain had of contained oil they would have gotten it.
If you ever get to meet one of these persons you had better know the pay plan better than the company itself !
Once they decide to take on a new MLM they often set up an office in Tokyo with computers, fax machines, staff etc. They then go into translating, re-designing and printing all materials. Their explanation of the pay plan would probably teach the MLM owners a lesson or two !
Sales of the materials they produce is also part of their profits by selling same to all the new members. I've never seen MLM materials as beautiful as they produce.
If the MLM they take on is say in America, then that company better be ready for mass production and prepared to set up an office and storage in Japan as soon as is possible. The worst thing an MLM company can do is say "We'll be in Japan next January" and not be! Truth and Trust is very very important.
I've seen American MLMs come into Japan without these guys, they don't do well. Most of them have turned down the requests of these big guys and have gone with the little guys. That is a clear way to receive the wrath of the big players and condemn the MLM to a short lived struggle.
The subject of my next article will be an in depth looks at the methods of Japanese super recruiters.
About The Author
Read More Of Michael Brymer's Heavy Hitter Secrets at http://mlmbuff.com
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Saturday, March 24, 2007
MLMs And MLMers In Japan
Posted by Peter @ Enviroman at 4:44 PM 0 comments
Labels: Multi-level marketing
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Japanese Tea Ceremony
by: James Williams
All over the world, people enjoy teatime. In Japan, however, taking tea with guests can mean considerably more than a relaxing break to the day. The traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony is a very grand and elaborate affair.
The Japanese tea ceremony is more like a sacred ritual than a friendly gathering. Each aspect of the ceremony is symbolic and adds great charm and meaning to this unique event.
The ceremony is conducted in a room called chashitsu, located in the teahouse. Fresh water symbolizing purity is held in a stone jar called the mizusashi, and may only be touched by the host. Matcha (tea) is kept in chaire--a small ceramic container covered in shifuku (fine silk pouch) and set in front of the mizusashi. Special stands called tana are used to display the tea bowls, and differ depending on the occasion.
The host enters with the chawan (tea bowl) containing a chasen (tea whisk), a chakin (a bleached white linen tea cloth) and the chashaku (tea scoop). Next to these items is a water jar, symbolic of the sun (yang) and a bowl, symbolizing the moon (yin). The host brings the kensui (waste water bowl), the hishaku (bamboo water ladle) and futaoki (a green bamboo rest for the kettle lid), and purifies the tea container and scoop using a fukusa (fine silk cloth).
Hot water is ladled into the tea bowl. The whisk is rinsed and the tea bowl is emptied and wiped with the chakin. For each guest, three scoops of tea are placed into the tea bowl. The whisk is used to create a thin paste using a sufficient quantity of hot water. Additional water is then added, while the paste is whisked into a thick liquid.
The tea bowl is passed to the main guest. He or she drinks some of the tea, wipes the rim of the bowl, and passes the bowl to the next guest. Each guest follows this same procedure until all have tasted the tea. The bowl is then returned to the host, who rinses it and cleans the tea scoop and the container.
A fire is then built for usa cha (thin tea), which rinses the palate, symbolizing the departure of the guests from the spiritual world of tea and back into the physical world. Smoking articles are offered as a gesture of relaxation, but smoking does not typically take place in a tearoom.
Finally, zabuton (cushions) and teaburi (hand warmers) are offered for the comfort of the guests, and higashi (dry sweets) are served. Before leaving the teahouse, guests will express their appreciation for the tea and their admiration for host's attention to the fine art of serving tea.
If you are ever given the chance to attend a tradition Japanese tea ceremony, be sure to attend. There is no other experience quite like it.
About The Author
James Williams contributes to several web sites, including http://rukar.com and http://yuzie.com
Posted by Peter @ Enviroman at 4:40 PM 0 comments
Labels: Culture, Japanese Tea Ceremony
Friday, March 23, 2007
Japanese Cooking
Japanese Cooking
by: Jonathon Hardcastle
Do you love Japanese food? The funny thing about Japanese food is that you either love it or you hate it. There is no in-between. And chances are, if you hate it, you probably haven’t really tasted Japanese food yet or haven’t given yourself a chance to sample it enough. Japanese food is hard to appreciate after only one bite. And sometimes, the idea that you are tasting raw food just won’t escape your mind that you are already predisposed to hating Japanese food even before you actually taste it.
Personally, I love Japanese food. There really is no other cuisine like it in the world in terms of its unique taste and presentation. Who would believe that something so raw could be so delicious? For those of you who have not yet discovered the pleasures of Japanese food, allow me to present the following primer.
The standard Japanese meal always involves a bowl of white rice as well as soup and side dishes such as pickles, vegetables, meat and fish. Japanese food is classified by the number of viands or “okazu” that are served with the rice, soup and side dishes. A meal with one okazu is called ichiju-issai and a prime example of this is the traditional Japanese breakfast which consists of miso soup, rice, grilled fish and one pickled vegetable.
The regular Japanese meal usually involves three okazu to go along with the soup, rice and pickles. Traditionally, each of these three okazu are cooked in a different way from the others. They can either be served raw or grilled, simmered, steamed or deep fried.
Another hallmark of Japanese food is seafood, which is the most popular and most widely consumed food in Japan. The most popular dishes include all types of fish as well as shellfish, squid and octopus. Crab is another favorite delicacy and so are whale and seaweed. Despite the fact that Japanese are not heavy meat eaters, you will hardly find any vegetarians among them either probably owing to their deep fashion for seafood. Beef and chicken are also popular among the Japanese.
About The Author
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles for Cooking for fun - In addition, Jonathon also writes articles for Outdoors Talk and Recreation and More.
Posted by Peter @ Enviroman at 4:27 PM 0 comments
Labels: Japanese food
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Speaking Japanese: Learning the Language and the Cultural Etiquette
Speaking Japanese: Learning the Language and the Cultural Etiquette
by: Cory Pangelinan
The Japanese language is considered by many to be easy to learn. Whether you wish to speak Japanese for personal reasons like travel or for professional reasons, it is important for you to consider that learning Japanese etiquette is as important as learning commonly used words and phrases.
Why is it that learning to speak Japanese is relatively easy? To begin with, there are only 5 vowel sounds:
· A is voiced as “ah,” or the way English speakers pronounce the a in “la;”
· I is pronounced as the English e in words like “need” and “tea;”
· U is vocalized in much the same way as “oo” in words like “cool” and “soon;”
· E is spoken with the same sound of the first e in the word “letter” and the e in “set;”
· O is expressed as it is in the word “told.”
Knowing how each of the vowels sounds phonetically makes speaking the Japanese words less difficult.
In addition, the Japanese language is less complicated than many others because nouns are not tied to gender or number - the same word is used for one tree or many trees - and verb remains the same regardless of the subject. Unlike English, Spanish and French (and other Latin-based languages) in which you must learn different ways to conjugate the verb based on the subject, when learning Japanese, the verb will be either past tense or the present tense (ongoing actions or the suggestion of what may happen in the future are expressed with the present tense verb).
While pronunciations can be simple once you know how the vowels are spoken, and nouns and verbs are relatively easy as well, one way in which you may stumble with the language is word order. While in English sentences are typically in a subject - verb - object format, in Japanese they are presented in the order of subject - object - verb. Of course, just as we have prepositions in English, there are a number of articles in Japanese. One article used often is “ka,” which is used at the end of the sentence to ask a question (which is important because the question mark does not exist in Japanese).
Though challenges like punctuation exist in the written language, learning to speak and understand Japanese can be accomplished. There are many resources available online, books and flashcards, as well as computer software. By finding the one that will be most beneficial to you and practicing often, you will surely be able to learn the language.
Once you have learned the language, and even while you are learning, it is important to keep etiquette in mind because how you act has as much of an impact on how you are received as the words you use to express yourself.
Make sure that you keep the following in mind:
· Unless you are very familiar with the person you are talking with, you should avoid using casual phrasings;
· Avoid being loud to get someone's attention. It is better to wave or to approach them with a bow and then speak;
· Use a quiet tone when speaking;
· Be cautious with your body language as much of the communication that takes place is unspoken;
· Always show respect for the person with whom you are speaking.
By maintaining respect for the people and cultural etiquette - you will find that beginning to communicate in Japanese is simple and, in time, you will become quite good at it.
About The Author
Cory Pangelinan - Author of a Japanese Language Course teaching you How to Speak Japanese the Real way its spoken in Japan. Let's speak Japanese.
Posted by Peter @ Enviroman at 4:33 PM 0 comments
Labels: Culture, Japanese language
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Ways to make big $$$ in Japan
Ways to make big $$$ in Japan
by: Matt Canham
As you're probably already aware, Japan is a very unique place. No where else in the world will you find the same outrageous opportunities to make money that are open to just about anyone.
English Teaching.
The most common job for new foreigners is teaching English. Despite the thousands of English schools and 12 years of study at school, the English level in Japan remains at lower intermediate, ensuring strong demand for teachers. Every type of class and situation exists from Elementary schools right through to Flight Attendant Colleges. It can also be a great way into a previously non-existent position. I know of one teacher at a top Advertising agency who later became an English copywriter. He had no experience whatsoever in copywriting, they just liked him and enjoyed his lessons.
Acting/modeling/voice overs.
Without a doubt, the epicenter for entertainment work is Tokyo. There are around 60 major freelance agencies that offer all kinds of work to foreigners living in the area. It is not uncommon for first timers to walk into $1000 plus jobs, while their friends back home fight over $120 extras work. Experience is not expected - simply being foreign and having the right look is enough. In fact, most highly skilled dancers and actors would be appalled at how easy it is to get work and how the jobs are selected. Actual talent is very rarely considered - it is all about the look.
In many ways, the entertainment scene in Tokyo is a big break and a way to escape the comfort zone and limitations of home. Many foreigners living in Japan, doing the work, return home to find their friends are just as broke as they were 5 years ago, fighting over the same tiny piece of the entertainment pie, hoping desperately for a break. They are not seeing that Tokyo is that break! Ewan McGregor, Edward Norton, Ashley Judd and Cameron Diaz are among some of the current stars to have worked in Japan.
Dancing/hostessing.
Japan was long considered one of the best places for working Dancer/hostess types in the world. Whilst it still can be very lucrative, the rules have changed regarding visas. Whereas once a 90 tourist visa was adequate, immigration crackdowns have led to the introduction of entertainment visas for all women employed in the industry. The Japanese culture remains one of meetings and drinking, and corporate types still prefer to do both in the company of attractive, polite, western women. In the past, women simply had to be attractive and turn up, now they need to be just as adept at being charming in order to make the big money.
Wedding minister.
The white wedding business is huge in Japan. It is the most popular type of ceremony from Sapporo to Okinawa and all those weddings create a demand for clean cut pastors to conduct the 20 minute ceremonies. In some cases, 20,000 yen for the 20 minute ceremony and performing 20-30 per month on the weekends is normal, making this one of the best ways to make yen. There are some properly ordained ministers out there, but for the most part, basic Japanese and rudimentary training is all it takes to move one man from the classroom to the pulpit.
Headhunting.
The Headhunting industry in Tokyo continues to flourish unabated. New companies emerge quarterly and are still able to bill fees of 30 - even 35% in some cases. Most of the "recruiters" start out teaching English and usually have very little in the way of professional experience. As English speakers though, they are considered to be experts in dealing with foreign companies, which is more than enough to qualify them for the job. Here you will find recruiters - both male and female making 6 figures when many would struggle to hold down simple jobs back home. This truly is an extraordinary opportunity open to anyone with some professionalism and knowledge of Japan.
Japanese language skills.
For teaching English and Headhunting, Japanese is almost not required at all. Speaking with the students in Japanese is strongly discouraged - they are there to learn English after all, and in Headhunting, 95% of the candidates need to be effective communicators in English. That leaves Wedding Ministers - the ceremony is read in Japanese, dancing/hostessing - where some basic Japanese will be looked upon favorably and Acting/modeling/voice overs, where in most cases there will already be a translator and the pronunciation of 10 words in Japanese is more important that speaking ability.
An active interest in Japanese culture and the language will assist in daily life, but for the people simply interested in Japan as a way to make as much money as possible, it is simply not required.
About The Author
Matt Canham has lived on and off in Tokyo for the last 7 years. He has a resource site at: jobs-in-japan.marinerblue.com.
Posted by Peter @ Enviroman at 5:22 PM 0 comments
Labels: Jobs, teaching English
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Japanese Koi Pond/Water Garden
Japanese Koi Pond/Water Garden
by: RC Moore
There are a lot of people that will tell you not to put Japanese Koi and plants together. Pet stores and internet articles suggest that koi will destroy any plants you put in your pond. I have been keeping Japanese Koi in my water gardens for six years without any Koi destroying any of the plants. The plants provide shade and shelter for the koi when spooked, and add to the water clarity.
Japanese Koi are by far the most beautiful and desirable fish you can keep in an outdoor water garden. In Japan, breeding koi has occupied a position between hobby and art form for more than two centuries. To keep Japanese Koi in a water garden you have to understand that they are bottom feeders who are most at home rooting around, in and among the rubble found on the bottom of their natural environment. As a matter of fact, the purpose of the famous whiskers is to help them root around more efficiently in the rocks/ rubble. Putting a layer a gravel in your pond will give the koi something to root in and will also add to the natural biological environment. Plants will also benefit from being directly in the gravel. I always remove plants from their pots, and rinse the roots before planting in a bed of gravel, which adds to the natural beauty of the water garden.
It is true that koi eat plants. It is also true that in the warm summer months they are none stop foragers. I describe them as eating machines. That is why it is important to keep plants they can eat without destroying. My two favorite are watercress and marsh betony planted in a shallow high water flow area. Trust me, you will need the koi to help you keep these invasive plants in check and may still have to thin late in the season. These plants are excellent filters which will help keep the water crystal clear and the koi happy.
Floating water hyacinth can result in the koi eating the roots. I usually plant in the shallow stream just below the waterfall. Their roots bury deep in the gravel to provide excellent filtration. They tend to grow taller and bloom less. Mine have grown 3 foot tall and extend 12 feet down the stream and seem to benefit from the splashing of the waterfall. This is another plant that will have to be pulled in the fall. Pickerel Rush is another plant that enjoys the splashing from a waterfall. I use them to hide the liner below the waterfall and they have bloomed constantly all season. More info at koipondfever.com
About The Author
RC Moore, content writer for Koi Pond Fever.
Posted by Peter @ Enviroman at 5:35 PM 0 comments
Labels: garden, Japanese Koi
Monday, March 20, 2006
A Reason to Travel to Japan
A Reason to Travel to Japan
by: Ryu Yuki
When you think of Japan, what comes up to your mind? There might be “Sony” and “Toyota” or “Samurai” and “Geisha.” You might consider that the former ones represent the modern Japan and the later ones represent the past. However, the real Japan is not such simple and contains the both aspects together through its historical stream. It is little bit hard for people to understand that the two different characters exist in one country.
There are some clues to glance at the real face of Japan. As you know, Japanese cars are becoming more and more popular in the US. The reasons explain the typical quality of the Japanese products. Practicability and Flavor. The reliability is that people can count on and the quality is that owners can be satisfied with for a long time. How about Japanese food. Sushi is one of favorite healthy food these days. Thirty years ago almost nobody was willing to eat raw fish in the US, however, recently there are so many sushi restaurants around urban cities like Los Angeles. People eat sushi because it is not just a efficient diet menu but also an cultural experience. They recognize color scheme of sushi dishes. Red, green, black, yellow, and white on the plate. It is a kind of artistic presentation with natural ingredients.
Any basic daily activities of people, food and craft, gradually grows to be the level of culture after many years. Japan has been organized as a nation for about 1500 years and developed the living style to the cultural value. Even though Japan obtained a lot of influence from the US after the WWII, her original essence remained and still exist everywhere in the country. TOYOTA and SONY could not happened as world famous companies without the soul and cultural background. When you really want to feel and realize what it is, it’s time for you to get on an airplane to Japan. You will start connecting the depth of the culture and spirit of the mysterious country from the very first day.
For more Japanese information, visit the author's blog site
Travel to Japan.
About The Author
Ryu Yuki, a Japanese journalist in Los Angeles, is a creator of a personal blog site, Travel to Japan which contains Japanese issues from a native point of view.
Posted by Peter @ Enviroman at 5:38 PM 0 comments
