November 26, 2005
Mistakes that reassure...
Construction is nearing completion but it is quite chaotic at the present school as we are in the process of packing everything all awhile maintaining a full class schedule. Large items including the white boards, airconditioners and heaters have already been moved to the new school as their installation require special attention. Looking back, after everything is up and running, I'm sure we will all laugh and say, "How did we do it?!?"
On a different note there have been mistakes during contruction (not many but a few) which I pointed out and had fixed. This was actually refreshing. Why? Well, having lived in Japan for fifteen years I have seen first hand how society operates here. Of course, every country has its challenges and problems but Japan is a VERY advanced society, compared to others, and the Japanese are very diligent at what they do. So much so, that it can almost have a negative effect on one's self esteem if we think too much about it.
In owning and running a business here I have experienced how it is extremely competetive. It may be one the the most difficult places to do business in. The Japanese, as a whole, are highly educated and are very good at analysis and problem solving. As a westerner, we may have an edge regarding creativity and looking at a problem in a global way but that alone is far from enough.
During constuction of the new school I couldn't be but impressed with the quality of the work being done. When mistakes were made they were quickly resolved. These mistakes, however, reminded me that the Japanese are still human like everyone else. Despite being perfectionists they too make mistakes, thank god!
On a different note there have been mistakes during contruction (not many but a few) which I pointed out and had fixed. This was actually refreshing. Why? Well, having lived in Japan for fifteen years I have seen first hand how society operates here. Of course, every country has its challenges and problems but Japan is a VERY advanced society, compared to others, and the Japanese are very diligent at what they do. So much so, that it can almost have a negative effect on one's self esteem if we think too much about it.
In owning and running a business here I have experienced how it is extremely competetive. It may be one the the most difficult places to do business in. The Japanese, as a whole, are highly educated and are very good at analysis and problem solving. As a westerner, we may have an edge regarding creativity and looking at a problem in a global way but that alone is far from enough.
During constuction of the new school I couldn't be but impressed with the quality of the work being done. When mistakes were made they were quickly resolved. These mistakes, however, reminded me that the Japanese are still human like everyone else. Despite being perfectionists they too make mistakes, thank god!
