Volume 39, Number 15
Business
Moving Made Easy
Marie Teather talks with Asian Tigers
After relocating the foreign community to and from Japan for ten years, this August Asian Tigers will be celebrating their first decade of operation in Japan. Weekender catches up with Andrew Olea, Director of Sales and Marketing, to find out about the challenges and triumphs of an industry that we simply couldn’t get here without.
How difficult was it starting up in Japan ten years ago?
At that time we had no customers and so it was almost like starting up our own business. Other relocation companies were already established here and so getting contacts was quite a challenge. We have, however, grown to being the market leader here in Japan.
How did you get to that position?
We have a great reputation, we provide great customer service, and through this we have had lots and lots of referrals.
What difficulties did you face in trying to make your presence known?
Trying to find the correct contacts to liaise with is very difficult in Japan without an introduction. Also, cold calling doesn’t work like perhaps it does in other countries. Of course, companies are always changing and so trying to keep abreast of the correct contacts and teams to talk with can also be challenging.
What kind of clientele do you relocate?
Mostly it is high and upper management professionals, traders, lawyers, etc. We work with all of the major financial institutes here in Japan.
How have you seen your clientele change over the past ten years?
The foreign community has changed a lot and ten years ago people were very wary to move to Japan. Today it is a much sought-after post and setting up life here is much easier than before. These days, we find that most people don’t want to leave when their time is up and people are actually sad to have to go. One of the drawbacks of being an expat is that you eventually have to leave!
How about the number of women relocating to Japan?
Yes, we have seen an increase in women relocating as the leading spouse. We move a lot of couples who are both relocating though their work and also a lot more single women are moving. I think it is most difficult for the wives of partners who have been relocated. It takes them a little longer to make contacts and to find their niche here.
How do you stay in contact with clients after they have moved?
On arrival we give them a welcome pack and we arrange welcome events in the first six months so they can meet people from different companies. We have coffee mornings for the wives who are not working and we also try to stay in touch with our clients throughout the year.
What difficulties do people face when moving back to their home countries?
Problems usually come through a lack of time to plan and prepare, although sometimes when a company decides to relocate an employee at short notice, this is unavoidable.
June and July, when the international schools, close is obviously the peak time for families wanting to move back and so at this time we are at our busiest; advance notification helps.
Have there been any changes with the shipping procedures over recent years?
Fuel prices are going up and so freight and trucking charges are increasing. Since 9/11 in 2001, there have been a lot more inspections and quarantine procedures mean it can take longer to ship personal goods home. Most foods can no longer be imported and Australia, especially, has strict quarantines on soils and untreated woods. Of course, this is an unavoidable part of our industry and this is something we have learnt to work with. We take care to advise all of our clients on issues that may effect their move back.
In light of the rising costs do you think a client could cut costs by arranging a move back on their own?
Unfortuantely the costs are unavoidable for everyone and to try and arrange a move back alone would most certainly take a lot more time and money. Going through a company like Asian Tigers means you can take advantage of reductions in costs.
For more information on Asian Tigers in Japan 03-6402-2371 or see www.asiantigers-japan.com