John Higgins

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PROBLEM STATEMENT

As the Vice President of the company, Prescott needs to communicate with Higgins how to come to a mutual understanding on how to manage the employees since Higgins has much awareness on Japanese culture and how it could benefit the company while not neglecting the American standards and policies in the Japanese operations.

ALTERNATIVES STRATEGIES

Alternative Strategy 1:

RESTRUCTURING THE EXISTING POLICY WITHOUT AFFECTING THE LOCAL’S POSITION IN THE COMPANY

Restructuring the current existing policy could be one of the alternative strategies in tackling the problem. Policy restructuring in this context should not involve radical changes within the policy, but in a way that is accepted and adjusted towards some pivotal Japanese culture. Other successful multinational companies such as Shell for instance made critical adjustments from their initial company's policy towards their overseas operation. This is to ensure that the policy that being critically adjusted to, can help Shell achieve their target and objective by understand further on how certain customs and of course working culture that is different than their own employees can help them to operate more efficiently in that country. This could also be applied by Weaver-Yamazaki Pharmaceutical to ensure that the restructured policy will be adhered by Prescott and Higgins that in turn could minimize the issues between them but at the same time will maintain the company's position in Japan market.

Alternative Strategy 2:

RE-ASSESS PRESCOTT AND HIGGINS JOB SCOPE

The second suggested alternative strategy would be, to re-assess the job scope for both Prescott and Higgins. Based on the case itself, most of the negotiations were handled and managed by Higgins, however, Prescott as the vice-president and general manager of the company should manage certain negotiations with local Japanese companies and not just leave it to Higgins. This would also allow Prescott to understand further on other aspect of the Japanese that he might not aware before and of course to allow himself to appreciate Higgins's effort on trying to be part of the Japanese community while serving for the company. If the reassessment of job scope seems radical, then perhaps the company could also practice the "role-model" approach within its management which requires Higgins to exchange his position with Prescott for certain specific period of time and in a way the expected result would be very much the same with the proposed approach of re-assessing their job scope.

Alternative Strategy 3:

PRESCOTT COULD ORGANIZE A PRIVATE MEETING WITH HIGGINS AND TO DISCUSS EXPECTATIONS TO HIGGINS

Upon arriving in Japan and managing the company, it was apparent that Prescott did not have a sit down with Higgins and try to understand the current situation. While retaining the American policies is an integral part of the company, Prescott also needs to understand why some elements need to be assimilated. Higgins also needs to be aware about Prescott and if he notices that there may be discrepancies in the way Prescott is handling the company, as a more culturally experience person, Higgins could advise Prescott on tackling and dealing certain issues or perhaps policy which is sensitive among the Japanese.

Alternative Strategy 4:

PRESCOTT TO HAVE CULTURAL IMMERSION EXPOSURE TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND JAPANESE CULTURE

In spite of Prescott’s international experiences, cultures are greatly diverse. Japanese culture has also been notably a very ecstatic culture. Hence, before diving into operations work, Prescott should also take a moment to learn the work culture he is about to deal with. Not only it is important for Prescott to maintain the company’s culture and principle, but he also need to understand that in order for him to realize the employees’ potential and the company that operates in Japan, he need to better understand and be exposed towards Japanese culture. In addition to that, by having deep and better understanding on Japanese culture, it will also help Prescott to lead the company when laying out future strategic planning for Japanese market.