Japanese Takeaways

The amazing Inari temple in Kyoto

In addition to the regular compensation plan Nikken offers extra incentives to consultants. One of these has just seen me take part in an all expenses paid "Team Kaizen" trip to Japan, the original home of Nikken.

Nikken was founded in 1975 in Fukuoka, Japan, by Isamu Masuda who, driven by the need to care for his handicapped son, invented the magnetic insoles that are still a mainstay of the business today. Masuda coined the Five Pillars of Health philosophy which underpins everything Nikken does: Healthy Body, Mind, Family, Society and Finances.

Although Nikken Inc. now has its HQ in the US the company aims to visit Japan every few years in order to honour its formation and to give consultants a chance to experience Japanese culture and the people's philosophy of service. This was certainly the case where I was constantly humbled by the people's helpfulness and politeness everywhere I went. At each hotel on the tour lines of staff would stand and bow. If I stopped for a moment and looked confusingly at a metro map a young student with perfect English would offer help. Tokyo is preparing for the Olympics in 2020 and the people's friendliness and the efficiency of their transport systems will ensure a successful event.

Nikken directors Luis Kasuga (left) and Kurt Fulle (centre) visiting Nikken's office in Fukuoka

To travel to Japan means learning about the roots of our company and its culture, its philosophy, and respect for nature.

Luis Kasuga, General Manager, Nikken Latin America

This trip, as well as various other annual events, is also a chance to reconnect with old colleagues and meet new friends, to revive one's purpose, to get inspired and set intentions for the year ahead. To be surrounded by so many positive and successful partners serves to propel you on to the next level of your Nikken journey. Big decisions are made at these big events.

Lake Ashi, Hakone

The trip was primarily a holiday and a reward for good work but there are inevitably chances to talk business and share best practices. By forging lasting relationships with international colleagues chances for collaboration and sharing business arise.

The team ride the bullet train

The network marketing model is one of collaborative entrepreneurship. Although we all have our own teams, by sharing information about what works well the global Nikken family is able to "grow the overall size of the pie". In practice this translates, for example, to a colleague in Canada passing an enquiry from a UK resident to me or a Mexican business leader appearing on one of my webinar's to pass on knowledge and inspiration to my team.

With Paulina Villela from Mexico City  

Another takeaway from the trip was the number of different ways one can be successful at the Nikken business - for instance through online retail or through building a network, or a combination of both. The Nikken business leaders are drawn from all sorts of different characters - it is certainly not the case that you have to be an outgoing extrovert in the stereotypical salesman mould.

Eating sushi with European colleagues

Kimonos at the spa hotel in Hakone

The market in Kyoto, the old capital

Tokyo in the rain

The bamboo forest, Kyoto

Tokyo skyline

An exciting glimpse of the "very shy" Mt. Fuji from the train window

The golden temple, Kyoto

Thank you Nikken for the trip of a lifetime!

Team Kaizen 2018

Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning the philosophy of continuous improvement of working practices. The 2018 Kaizen team will be visiting Italy in early 2019.

Other International Events 2018

The Orlando Summit - July 26-29, 2018 http://www.orlandosummit.net/

The Toronto Summit - October 11-14, 2018 http://torontosummit.net/

San Antonio Convention - November 1-3, 2018 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nikken-convention-18-tickets-45553411480


Further reading:
Japan are doing a lot right - read how they top the life expectancy charts.