Episode 13

full
Published on:

29th Aug 2022

Naive and Clumsy? Perceptions of New Zealanders in Japan with David Downs of New Zealand Story Group

Guardians of the brand of New Zealand, New Zealand Story Group CEO David Downs shares the latest information about how New Zealand and its people are perceived in Japan and what New Zealand Story is doing to help move the brand forward. If you are a Jandal in Japan you are a brand ambassador for New Zealand and along with that honour, you have a part to play in how our country is perceived so this episode is not to be missed! 

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

  • What exactly is New Zealand Story is and how can it help your business as you enter overseas markets
  • The surprising perceptions of NZ in Japan from New Zealand Story’s research
  • What the “Fern Mark” is and the value its licensing has for NZ businesses
  • How NZers can help build the brand of NZ with grass roots interactions

About David

David Downs BSc, CMInstD is a consultant and board director, with a portfolio of interests keeping him busy, across some key theme areas of technology for public good, healthcare and education. David is currently CEO of the New Zealand Story, an ambitious organisation marketing New Zealand to the world.

Most recently, David was a General Manager at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), working with the Technology sector to help fast growing tech companies grow internationally, and leading a cross-government project for the Agritech sector. David has held various roles at NZTE, in the Services, Customer and Corporate Services teams.

He also leads the NZ Governments Agritech task force, helping to design and implement the Industry Transformation Plan for the Agritech sector, working for MBIE.

David spent 13 years at Microsoft, in New Zealand and as regional director for South East Asia, and he has set up and run successful businesses of his own. David is a published author on New Zealand Innovation, with two highly successful books – No.8 Re-wired, and No.8 Recharged. 

David is an ex-comedian, TV and Radio actor, semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year, and a genetically modified organism who documented his battle with cancer in the book A Mild Touch of the Cancer. David is also a popular MC and speaker..

At the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, David co-founded sosbusiness.nz a not-for-profit initiative to help bars, cafes and other small businesses sell vouchers. It quickly became a huge hit and to date has sold over $2 million in vouchers for over 2500 small businesses. All the money goes to the businesses.

Specialties: Governance; Leadership; MC and Public Speaking; General Management, Professional Services; Contract negotiation; Sales; Sales Management; Marketing; General Management; IT Strategy; Emerging and developing markets

<p>Connect with David<p>

<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddowns/">LinkedIn:</a><p>

<p>Links<p>

<p>NZ Story Toolkit: https://toolkit.nzstory.govt.nz/<p> 

<p>Fern Mark: https://www.nzstory.govt.nz/fernmark-licence-programme/ <p>

<p>Webinar: Australian Perception Research: https://www.nzstory.govt.nz/events/australia-perception-research-2022/<p>

<p>Japan Country Perceptions (2017): https://toolkit.nzstory.govt.nz/assets/155502?tags=Presentation <p>

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdbd0QSHSLlOSPcpceHOcA 

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Are you loving Jandals in Japan so much you just want to buy Catherine and Jayne a beer/wine/coffee?

We know some people really want to show their appreciation and so now you can using the button below. In addition, you will join our VIJ list for our Very Important Jandals, who receive first invites to our in person events when they happen throughout the year.
Please note, contributions in $ = US$.
Support Jandals in Japan
A
We haven’t had any Tips yet :( Maybe you could be the first!

Listen for free

Show artwork for Jandals in Japan

About the Podcast

Jandals in Japan
Bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
The best show about New Zealanders doing business in Japan, bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
How do you build a brand in Japan and nurture a loyal customer base?
What do you need to have in your tool belt if you are thinking of coming to Japan to launch a business here?
Japan is often considered to be in the "too hard" basket but we are here to open up the black box of doing business in Japan.
We will share stories from successful Kiwis selling their products and services here in Japan.
They'll tell you their tips for success and pitfalls to avoid.
They'll share their challenges and what they did to overcome them.
They will tell you things you can't find in textbooks or on the internet.
We will also be sharing the latest intel and insights on Japan from our on-the-ground presence
And you'll hear some super business culture and other tips from us sprinkled throughout.
Grab a glass of sake and let's get into it.
Support This Show

About your hosts

Jayne Nakata

Profile picture for Jayne Nakata
Jayne Nakata is a Southland girl who arrived in Japan in 2002, planning to stay just two years. 20 years later she is still living in Fukushima Prefecture with her Japanese husband and two children. When the triple disaster hit in 2011, Jayne made the commitment to stay in Fukushima and contribute to rebuilding the area. She is the host of the award winning podcast Transformations with Jayne, which is a favourite with international women living in Japan. She is also the double award winning podcast producer and manager for PodLaunch with Jayne.

Catherine O’Connell

Profile picture for Catherine O’Connell
Born and bred in Christchurch, Catherine O'Connell landed in Japan in 2002, on a one year contract, and 20 years later she's planted her feet firmly in Japan. She built a wealth of business and cultural experience working at the coal face of brand-name Japanese corporates as in house legal counsel. Catherine took a leap of faith down the entrepreneurial route launching her own multi award-winning boutique law firm in Tokyo in 2018, being the first Kiwi and first foreign female to do so. She is Vice Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan and helps businesses thrive in the Japan market delivering business insights meshed with legal instincts. Catherine is also host of the award-winning Lawyer on Air Podcast.