The Survival Guide for Japanese Leaders at US Startups
10 Essential Principles to Thrive in a Fast-Paced, Cross-Cultural Environment
Why This Guide is Critical for You
You're brilliant, but the rules of the game have changed. US startups don't operate on harmony, consensus, or clear swim lanes. If you come from a structured Japanese company, you face immediate challenges:
Ambiguity is Chaos: Things feel chaotic and disorganized, forcing you to struggle to take initiative because you're waiting for clarity and consensus that never comes.
Paralysis by Perfection: Your commitment to quality means you spend too much time aligning and preparing, causing you to be seen as "slow" or "bureaucratic" by HQ, eroding your credibility.
Invisible Value (Humility): Your excellent work is overlooked because your cultural humility is misunderstood. Your contributions risk being forgotten or misattributed.
Why Listen to Me (Mike Kim)?
This isn't generic business advice. This guide is built on the experience of someone who has personally succeeded building revenue between Silicon Valley and Tokyo.
I'm Mike Kim, and I've walked the path you are on:
I've Led APAC Operations: I served as Head of APAC and led the Asia Pacific business for multiple US AI startups, successfully closing significant six-figure and seven-figure deals with leading enterprises and governments. I know exactly what it takes to drive revenue in this dynamic region.
I Understand Both Sides of the Fence: My background is a unique blend of American startup leadership and deep respect for Asian business practices. I've lived on both sides—from San Francisco to where I now live in Tokyo—allowing me to coach leaders through the specific cultural and operational friction points.
I Built My Expertise from the Ground Up: My journey began at Deloitte Consulting, where I spearheaded the firm's first Palantir implementation. That experience opened my eyes to the transformative potential of startup technology and set the stage for my future work with AI companies.
I am a Trusted Advisor: My track record and hands-on approach are recognized in the highest circles. I was introduced to AI startups facing these exact issues by top-tier VCs like Sequoia Capital and Geodesic Capital.
This guide is the distillation of years of hard-won experience.
Your Battle-Tested Playbook: The 10 Principles
This guide, built from a decade of coaching Japanese leaders in US hyper-growth environments, gives you the immediate mindset and behavioral shifts you need.
Inside, You Will Learn Principles on How To:
Act Decisively: Use the Default to Action principle for speed, without waiting for permission (Principle 3).
Beat Perfectionism: Apply the 80-90% Rule to get your work launched more quickly inline with expectations (Principle 4).
Own Your Role: Master the 70-80% Role Fluidity rule, turning unexpected tasks into career-defining opportunities (Principle 5).
Command Attention: Make your work visible and ensure you get credit, protecting your value and impact (Principle 6).
Navigate the Crossfire: Get the tools to navigate friction between local customer and HQ revenue expectations (Principle 10).
Your Startup Career Acceleration Starts Now.
Stop struggling to adapt. Start leading with confidence and clarity.
Price: $19.99 USD (Instant PDF Download, this is a 24-page guide)
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