I realize the value of actually being physically there. Two recent events have made me realize the value again. One is the upcoming event of Global Change Makers Program tomorrow, Sunday, September 19. In this event, activities of GCMP, in particular, the recent trip to Bangladesh (2010 Summer program) will be presented. I believe five teams will make a presentation of their own group activities in Bangladesh. I was invited, but to my regret, I am not able to attend (I have sent a message so that I can be at least a part of it)!
As I see the news on Gramweb about their activities, I realize how much of an impact the trip and the project must have on those who attended. (I have never been to Bangladesh despite the fact that I know some young people including my former student from the country. I need to wait for my turn to visit the country!)
The other event that made me realize the power of being there was the recent Annual Meeting of New Champions in Tianjin I participated. As I wrote several times on my blog, I can feel the energy and hope of the people in Asia – by actually being there. I can also feel how tough and intense the global competition is. As there are so many people who are talented and competent, unless you deliver value every time you are invited to participate whether as a panelist, moderator, or even participant, somebody else will take over your place. There is NO guarantee that you will be invited next time. It is a great opportunity to meet and interact with people, but you have to capture the opportunity and earn it too. The title, age, organization you represent etc. means little as you are on your own there and have to demonstrate your value. It is a tough world, but for those who can thrive under the pressure, it is a great place to be.
It reminded me of the remarks made by my mentor, a retired professor of business school. He said, “No matter how famous the person is, if he/she does not deliver, they will not be invited back to be a guest speaker.” You know exactly what he means when you are there.
Yoko Ishikura is a Professor at Hitotsubashi University ICS in the Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy in Japan. She has held positions as a professor at the School of International Politics, Economics and Business of Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, as a consultant at McKinsey and Company Inc. Japan and a visiting professor at Darden School.
Professor Ishikura is a consultant to a number of multinational companies and has been a frequent speaker at management conferences, seminars, and workshops throughout the world. She was a member of the Regulatory Reform Committee for the Japanese government and the International Competitiveness Commission for METI. She is currently a Forum Fellow of the World Economic Forum.
She is the author of Strategic Shift from OR choices to AND paradigm, Building Core Skills of Organization , and the co-author of the following publications: Managing Diversity in the 21st Century, Strategy for Cluster Initiatives in Japan , and Building a Career to the World Class Professionals – all in Japanese. Her books in English include: Asian Advantage, Hitotsubashi on Knowledge Management and Trust and Antitrust in Asian Business Alliances.
Professor Ishikura’s current research interests are focused on global competition, innovation, and knowledge management. She received her BA from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan; MBA from Darden School, University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia; and DBA from Harvard Business School.
