Yoko Ishikura’s Blog (English)

  I find it interesting to find that I am the one that has to take my own advice. Two things happened very recently.

  One was the advice I gave (I almost forgot myself) to my colleague who just finished his Doctoral dissertation. He said that my advice of “Keep writing, then it will be done” was quite helpful in his endeavor to finish the dissertation. That was what I felt strongly when I struggled through writing my own doctoral dissertation over two decades ago.  As we had a celebration lately, he told me that my advice kept him going.   

  Now I am the one that needs that advice. I am struggling with the draft of chapters of my book. I reorganized several times, reviewed the same sections many times and it looks that I will never get to the end. I  sometimes feel very overwhelmed by the amount of task ahead. I sometimes feel very discouraged with the slow process and little progress. 

  It suddenly occurred to me  few days ago that I am the one that should take my own advice of “Keep writing.” I am the one that  needs to take MY OWN advice.

  The other incident took place when I was talking with my friend. We were talking about various issues such as logical writing, getting the message clear and story telling etc. (For this, more to come separately.)  We were talking about the PROCESS that you need to go through to get to the clear message and logical structure as things get crystallized in the process. As I am convinced that the process you go through, no matter how inefficient it may look, is an indispensable part of getting the logic and structure right, I argued the importance of trial and error, rather than trying to go right to the conclusion. 

  That was when I realized that I am the one that has to do that now for some projects. Probably I was tempted to get the message clear WITHOUT going through the process of trial and error.

  It is no fun to be in the middle of trial and error without seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. But I do not think you can cut short that process.  I do not think there is any “quick and dirty” way to get there for some projects. (Probably not all)  Even if the output looks quite similar to the one you began with, I think that the process of going through, trying to find the way and thinking in the process, is not wasted.

  Sometimes it helps to realize what advice you are giving to others and to apply them to yourself.     

  Yesterday, we had a celebration for one of the alumni of class of 2000(the first class at ICS) receiving Doctor of Business Administration. I was so happy for him and his family, as I know what a big accomplishment it is. What was as good was that many alumni as well as current students came to celebrate his accomplishment.

  It is always so nice to see alumni doing very well (whatever they are doing) and being happy. It gives me (personally) a lot of inspiration and encouragement. (Though I am supposed to teach them, I learn so much from them and get so much energy to try new things from them! This is the beauty of my job!)

 I realize it has been almost eight years since we started new initiative at ICS and it is about time for the new phase. It gives me so much hope that we have young generation who is full of energy and ambition. 

  After the trip to　Tianjin and the wild fluctuations of the markets throughout the world in the early part of the week, it is becoming quite obvious that we will live with uncertainty for quite some time.
　In addition to uncertainties, this week has been quite full of activities for me, leaving little time to reflect. I gave three different seminars three days in a row in the latter half of the week. 

  For these seminars, as almost in the same way as that for the sessions at　Tianjin and elsewhere, I spent quite a bit of time reviewing the profile of participants, exploring their expectations and trying to identify as much as possible the expected output. So we usually spend considerable time, discussing the issues, expectations, and how we proceed. I also prepare slides, sometimes video and copies of the articles and papers I have written recently so that we can distribute them to the participants.
　 As I gave three different seminars with different topics to different groups three days in a row, I ended up spending quite a bit of time for preparation. For each one, I also prepare the rough time allocation plan; so that we can cover everything we plan in advance. Even with preparation, however, things do not go in the way I expect. I wanted to do some exercise and/or mini-cases, but no time. I was also a bit disappointed as there were so few questions. So there are still many things I could try to engage the audience and make the session (even short) more interactive. (Quite a few things to learn from the Work Space sessions)   

   In addition to the sessions at the conference such as Work Space, I find concerts and shows in performing arts very helpful for this purpose. They have common factors with seminars and lectures. We are given a few hours, we have an audience physically there and we can feel whether the audience is engaged or not. It is real, there and then. This is one of the excitement of giving seminars and lectures. It is in a way “performance”.  

   Partially with this purpose in the back of my mind, I went to see the solo concert of the veteran singer on Friday and also went to see the show on Saturday. Both of them gave me several ideas as to how to engage the audience, how to maintain high energy and excitement level and how to end with a Bang. Many people get involved to prepare, whether it is one-day concert with a singer and the band or the musical show with few dozens of artists and the band with a run over a few months. Many plans are tried and refined to make it just right. Even with so much preparation, once the show starts, it has to go on. It is this “here and now” feeling that excites me so much.  

  The highlight of my experience at the Annual Meeting of New Champions in Tianjin was the Work Space sessions. (In fact, I spent almost all my time, attending the Work Space sessions—1 each in the morning and in the afternoon for two days and the last one this morning, making it the total of FIVE Work Space sessions (I co-moderated one of them.) 

   Work Space is such an exciting and interesting design for brainstorming with visuals and audio etc. etc. It is 2.5 hour long and we work in groups of 3 to 6 members. The topics of the ones I attended were Slim City, Navigating the Global Skills Crisis, The Next Wave for the Web, Turning Silver to Gold-Business Opportunities in an Ageing World, and Business Model for Global Success- by Design.
   When I showed up for the Fifth Work Space session, my friend Tim said “Yoko, you are addicted!” which is not far from truth.   
  What I like about the Work Space sessions is that participants think of various ideas about the cases/issues we are given in groups, present them with visuals, skits, etc. etc. It is like kids playing with new toys. (At least I felt that I was excited like a kid!)   

  What I like more about the Work Space Sessions is that I (as a co-facilitator) have worked with the staff at World Economic Forum to design, plan the cases and the sequence of activities. As I co-moderated one of the sessions, I realize how much of thinking and planning goes into the design of the Work Space. We tried with this idea and that and finally decide on the series of activities and the type of cases/situations.  I love working with the young staff of the World Economic Forum and those who help us with the visuals, audio etc. (Photo on the right shows those involved with the Work Space sessions. We sat at the same table at the Gala Soirre. Photo on the left with the young entrepreneur from India and one of the dancers who performed at the Gala Soirre. )

  Some Work Space sessions work so well that we see so much energy and ideas flowing. Another loses a bit of excitement in the middle though it starts at high energy level, and yet another starts rather low key, but picks up the energy as groups get engaged.

  Just experiencing them as a moderator, discussion leader, and above all, one of the participants has exposed me to so many different ideas, methods and topics. I have used some of the ideas I found at the Work Space and other sessions of World Economic Forum events for my classes, executive ed sessions and the seminars.  I will do so with the Work Space as well.(I already tried some for the upcoming workshop with young leaders of one of the global companies.)

  After being in Tokyo for just over a week, I am now in Tianjin, China to attend the Annual Meeting of New Champions by the World Economic Forum. This is the second of its kind after the one in Dalian last year.  
   As last year, the venue is so huge that I get lost so often. I hear that there are some 60 people among the Japanese delegation, but I have run into less than 10 so far!   

  This morning I participated in the SimCity Workspace session which was very interesting. We heard the stories from the mayor of Douala in Cameroon as to how mayors tackled various issues in the cities they manage. We then worked on the Mobility issue. 
   In the afternoon, I co-moderated the Workspace session entitled Navigating through Global Skills Crisis Session with David Arkless of Manpower.  (Photo shows David and me starting off the session.)I love Workspace sessions and plan to attend a few more while in Tianjin.  More to come on the content. So stay tuned….

   Last Saturday, September 20, I had a chance to watch the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis Tournament at Ariake. I saw two semi final singles and one semi-final doubles. It has been over a decade since I watched the tennis tournament live (US Open which is held just outside of NYC in September is one of my favorite tournaments I watch on TV.)  I was absolutely amazed at the power and speed of the play!

  It was a beautiful, sunny day after the typhoon was gone. The first semi-final went on for over two hours and it was a good match. I was very impressed with the physical stamina of the players who could play in the sun for over two hours. I was also impressed with the strong will to win the match. It is quite inspiring to see the players who are so physically fit and mentally tough.  

  On my way to Ariake, I ran into one of our ICS alumni (this is the second time in two weeks after Starbucks in Manhattan!) . As we were going to the same direction, we talked for a while. It was nice to find out how he is doing.

  The next day, Sunday, was the first Aikido class for me this year. It has been over three months since I took the class. I was shocked as I forgot many things. Aikido movement is very natural and it follows very smoothly if you do it right. But my body must have forgotten all the smooth movement and I had to think about the next move, how to grip etc. etc.   It was nice toward the end of 1-hour class, some of the movement came back and I started feeling quite natural and smooth. It definitely is a great way to learn how to concentrate.   But a few hours later, my body ached.   The next morning was even worse. I was a bit surprised as I continued my exercise routine over the summer and yet, I was still so sore. I suppose we use different muscles for Aikido.  

 From NYC where things are full of uncertainties in the market, I came back to Tokyo, just in time for the new academic year at ICS. This is such an exciting time of the year for us at ICS, as we welcome a new class. We go to Mt. Takao for the teambuilding exercise for two days before we start the Foundation Week. 
  I was able to join BBQ dinner on the first night after I finished two meetings in Tokyo!  (See the photo on the right).  The students are very good at cooking BBQ, enjoying food, and cleaning the place very quickly to start the evening program.

  During the evening program, all the members of the incoming class did introduction in pairs. Each person in a pair introduces the other; by giving three words in 60 seconds (I believe it was 60 seconds each).  
  I was very impressed with the way they do it with some sense of humor and some words we can remember.  All of us has the list of students with their photos and can jot down some words to remember each one of them. By the end of two day exercise, they all know each other!   

   In the morning of the second day, they did the High Element of the team building. I was given a chance to explain how to put the harness (to keep us safe).  Hideki showed me how to do it and I demonstrated to all the members. I felt much honored to be given this role.(photo in the middle is myself with students listening to the explanation by Hideki.)   I wanted to stay as I love high places (I used to climb the trees when I was in grade school! I love flying, too), but had to leave as I had to tape the TV show in Tokyo.  I will make sure that I stay for the second day so that I can try high elements. (See the photo on the left) 

  One thing that was different this year was that some students of the incoming class mentioned my blog; in particular, they seemed to like my bear stories.  It was nice to find that some people visited my blog and seem to know what I have been doing. This is the benefit of ICT!  

 I am now in New York City, about to leave for the airport to fly back to Tokyo. Whether you are online or watching CNBC/Bloomberg right now, (Opening bell will ring in five minutes!), it seems that what is happening in the financial market is almost beyond our imagination. Exchange rate goes up and down, and oil price has gone down so much in a day!

  This last weekend, there was a talk about Lehman Brothers and on Sunday, we found out that they will file for Chapter 11 and Bank of America will buy Merrill Lynch! Now the topic is what is happening to AIG. 
   Though I am an expert in financial services industry and market, I can tell that thousands of people will lose the job, if they have not yet.   

   It is somewhat interesting that being able to see what is happening in the markets throughout the world affects how you feel about these things. You can tell that the world is increasingly interrelated. As people say, the market moves based upon the “perception” and the technology such as Internet etc. affects our perception so much.

   Last night, on the other hand, I went to see the play, Equus, preview at the Broadway. You see completely different side of New York City there. This is an interesting city and remains as my favorite in the world.

　After spending two days in Tokyo, I am now back in New York City, doing the teleconferencing with Europe and meeting with people in NYC. It has been almost nine months since I was in NYC (my favorite city) last time. Every time I come to NYC, I feel energized.
  It is a place where you see so many different people, each of whom seems to lead life in their own unique way. You see a mix of business people well dressed in dark suits and tie, tourists with suitcases and those who are from all over the world to work there. Diversity and dynamism is the name of the game here, I feel.  

   This is the city where incredible things do happen. I ran into one of the alumni of ICS at the Starbucks yesterday morning after a few years. I was waiting on the line to get my Latte after I jogged around the Park. I recognized his face, while he recognized my voice! (I was in running gear with a cap!)
  It turned out that he works at the office nearby. We talked briefly and I was so happy to see him doing very well.
  What is the probability of my running into the ICS alumni (there are still few hundreds of them in the world!) in the Big Apple? I wondered.

  When I come to think of it, I ran into one of my seminar students at Aoyama Gakuin University where I used to teach at the grocery store in Palm Desert, California, after so many years! Probably I am such a lucky person. (My seminar student I ran into in California and I talked about the idea of buying a lottery ticket together, as we may beat the low probability of winning it!)
  Running into the alumni and finding out that they are doing very well made my day.

　Writing has been major challenge in my life. You may wonder why I am what I am—i.e. professor at the graduate business school, the profession where lot of writing is a “must.” 　Sometimes the same question comes to mind, as I have hard time writing. But that is how my life turned out and I do love the other part of being a professor, i.e. interacting with the young generation.  

　　I am now in the process of writing a book (in Japanese). 　I am often asked to write articles, columns etc. I find writing is a good way to organize my thought, crystallize my message and express myself. In a way, it is an outlet. I have relatively less difficulty when I have something I want to say, and the piece is rather short. (Not too short such as column with word limit).

　Even for these types of writing I have relatively less difficulty, it still takes considerable time for me to write. Thus, I have tremendous respect for those who write so well so often. 

　 I have several things I follow when I write, to make me feel that the challenge is not overwhelming.  One of them is to start early and jot down what I want to say. I do not function well under pressure. Thus I am not one of those who wait until the last minute and write at full speed. I have to start early to draft outline of what I want to say so that I can have peace of mind.  Once I have some message I want to convey, I jot it down and develop some type of outline. Then the idea stays in the back of my mind and my mind is alert to any related stimuli. Even though I do not think about the idea constantly, some things I hear or see stimulate my mind and the idea gets developed. 

　Then I sit down to write. I cannot write over a long period of time, so I take a break here and there.  I repeat this process over a course of several days. Then the early part of my draft gets clearer, as I read it so many times and revise so that it is better organized. After a little while, I then start from the conclusion.  I start from the clean slate and say to myself, “You have thought about this for a while. What is it that you want to say?”  Rather than starting from the beginning, I start from the conclusion. It is a good time as I have thought about it for a while and my message is just about to be crystallized. I revise my conclusion several times and think about the organization of the whole piece from the top down, i.e. from the conclusion backwards. I usually end up throwing most of what I have written, as it is now easier for me to see which parts are necessary to get my conclusion across and which parts are not.  I try to have the clear flow of logic with now-written conclusion. I throw away a lot of I have written (particularly the sections I write early in the process) and add some more to have a clearer storyline.  It may look that this is not the most productive or efficient way of writing, but this is the way I have developed for myself. I am not the person who can start from the conclusion (most of the time) and I have to do some preparatory work. It is like a warm-up before the race.

　　As I have better sense of the time it takes to write with warm-up, I start early so that I can go through the process without panic.  All of this works for the paper or article with 10 pages or so. The book is a completely different story, as doing the above will not work. I am still struggling what would be my way of writing a book. More to come.