As we enter the month of October, have we've got a lot in store for you!

First, for this month's newsletter, you'll notice that we've given it a complete redesign to both make it easier to  find information and so it's a bit easier on the eyes.

Second, you may have noticed our new tagline "The #1 Gateway for Asia-Pacific Coaching Opportunities & Knowledge".  This new tagline more accurately captures and communicates one of our core differentiators in that we are focused on bringing the best paying coaching and consulting opportunities to our members as well as specific and timely regional and local market knowledge that you just can't find anywhere else.

Third, we want to make it clear again that the APCA is completely agnostic about coaching styles. Some members may prefer one particular coaching certification or style over another while some others may feel the same way about a particular coaching accreditation. 

To us, it's all good because there is no single "best" way to coach. We all learn from each and other and actually recommend that our members learn as many different coaching styles and methodologies as possible for each one brings something to the table and allows,  you, the coach to bring something unique and of value to each and and every one of your clients.

Sincerely yours,

By James Santagata
Principal Consultant, SiliconEdge


That Japan like any country, be it developing or developed, has her share of problems is not in the least bit surprising or at least it shouldn't be.

However, what has surprised me over the years is how many foreign "Japan watchers" and "Japan pundits" always seem to miss the crux of what's really going on on the ground in Japan and more importantly what's going on in the mind of the Japanese.

When articles are written or comments made about the supposed dearth of Japanese startups, the author or speaker almost always boils this down to several factors such as Japan's Shima-guni mentality (Island Nation / 島国), the so-called Galapagos Effect (which as I've continually pointed out is really just a misnomer for an industry or marketplace rife with ossified, rent-seeking incumbents and regulatory capture), Japan's supposed lack of talent, Japan's supposed lack of diversity and Japan supposed lack of creativity.
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With that said,  there is another popular myth and meme that comes up regarding the lack of Japanese startups and that is the idea that the Japanese have an almost in-born fear of failure.

I'm not here to argue that Japanese don't have a fear of failure because they do. We all do. Just as most other peoples around the world do, including those in the US and even including those working in Silicon Valley.

People fear failure. 

But to hear the pundits tell it, "Japanese need to get over failure and embrace it". These pundits act like the fear of failure in Japan is simple a psychological construct* like it is in parts of the West like in the US.

When one is business developing and signing new clients it's often more important to say "no" to clients that don't align or mesh with you working style, skill set, values or commitment to excellence than to have both parties become disillusioned or unhappy later.

It's often more important which clients you decide not to work with than which clients you do.