New chair appointed to Japan/NZ Business Council

The former president of Levi's Japan, Brian Martin has been appointed as the new chair of the Japan/New Zealand business Council.

Succeeding the current chair, Denham Shale.

Brian, now resident in New Zealand, has lived in Japan for many years. He has a Japanese wife, Keiko and says that he is well-trained. He welcomes the opportunity of being the bridge between New Zealand and Japan, and in further deepening the excellent relationship that exists between the two countries. Brian attributes much of his Japanese success, to “loving what you do, and doing what you love”.

He said that respect and understanding, are important ingredients to harmonious working relationships, with Japanese people.

He found that when he first came to New Zealand from England, one of the things which stood him in good stead for working in Japan, was a philosophy of “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”.

As the president of Levi Strauss Ltd Japan, he achieved a turnaround from a substantial loss to a profit position, and Levi's was reported, as a US success story in Japan, alongside IBM and Coca-Cola.

For four years, Brian Martin was the Levi Strauss Asia Area Chief-Executive, in charge of all the Asian countries and based in Hong Kong.

After joining Triumph International, the world’s largest intimate apparel company, which operates in 65 countries, Brian repeated another successful turnaround.

He found the key to success, in challenging situations, was the importance of working together in harmony for a common outcome. He likes to use the acronym of TEAM - together, everyone, achieves, more.

Brian was the first non-Japanese person to be appointed to the industry organisation, advising the Japanese government on industry related matters.

He has been a long time member of the executive of the Japan/New Zealand business Council.

Brian was elected as an Honoured Member the International Who's Who of Professionals in 1998. In 2001, he received the 21st Century award for achievement in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of business.

Brian is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and is a Senior Member of the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD).

He is a guest lecturer on management and leadership topics, in both New Zealand and Asia.

He has also served as a member of the advisory board for the Business Faculty of the Auckland University of Technology, for six years. Brian is the author of the book “Who’s in Charge of your Life” which has been published in English and Japanese.

Web: http://www.iaslearninggroup.com/ias-team.html

ENDS

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