In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Carlo La Porta, Managing Director of Mpowered Sales about the challenges of disengagement in large Japanese firms. Carlo discusses his 35-year career in Japan, his book on generational management issues, and the importance of empowering employees. He shares insights on the evolution of Japanese business practices, the differences in management styles among generations, and the issue of low employee motivation. Carlo outlines his six-step delegation process and emphasizes the need for better communication and delegation to enhance team performance. He also highlights the plans for expanding MPowered's training programs to help improve leadership and productivity in Japanese SMEs.

In this episode you will hear:

• The evolution of Japanese business practices
• The key to successful delegation and leadership
• Carlo's unique journey and what keeps him dedicated
• The roots of motivation and how to nurture it in the workplace
• How delegation can boost team performance and drive change
• Carlo's approach to Mission Command and Servant Leadership

About Carlo La Porta:

Carlo La Porta is  the Motivation Architect and Managing Director of Empowered Sales K.K. He has built his 35-year career around designing and delivering business solutions in Japan. Drawing on his experience in multinational, multilingual, and multicultural organizations, as well as fully Japanese environments fluent in both local and western business practices. He believes in empowering teams to perform at their best. This conviction led him to establish MPowered Sales K.K. dedicated to evaluating. Employee work life quality and productivity with a focus on Japanese SMEs.

Carlo has also written a book in Japanese focusing on people management issues in Japanese environments due to the generation gap. The book is entitled in Japanese, “The Reiwa Era Leadership Revolution” and uh, of course that can be found on Amazon and it's been very, uh, popular with male managers in their forties and fifties. Carlo has held roles at KPMG consulting, bearing point, low end down Masai, which is now aiming Japan and Thompson Financial Services. He's worked with such prestigious clients as IKK Brita, Ong, NTT Urban Develop. Bent, MHI and Luxottica among many others. He's a graduate of Tokyo University where he focused on international trade in Japanese.

He holds an N1 Japanese language certification, which means he speaks nipon, go very well, as well as a plethora of other languages, including English, Italian, French, German, and he's lived in Japan for three decades and calls it.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

Connect with Carlo La Porta:

Website: https://mpoweredsales.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlolaporta/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website:

In this episode, an award-winning strategic communications executive and tech leader, host of the Trending Communicator podcast, Dan, is highlighted for his expertise and influence in the field. He has been recognized on PR Week's Dashboard 25 and the Propel 100 list. With over two decades of corporate and agency experience, Dan specializes in corporate and brand communications, integrated marketing, content strategy, social media, and brand storytelling. His proficiency in emerging trends like generative AI helps organizations adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Born in New Jersey and having spent 16 years in Japan, he brings a global perspective and speaks Japanese, reflecting his adaptability and broad insight.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

• Dan’s insights on the pivotal role of AI in shaping modern communications
• The challenges and opportunities for PR tech leaders in 2024 and beyond
• How a global perspective enhances strategy and promotes innovation
• Key trends in Comtech that every leader should watch

About Dan:

 Dan is an award-winning strategic communications executive communications technology leader and host of another wonderful podcast, the Trending Communicator.

Dan's named two prs PR weeks Dashboard 25 in both 23 and 2024, and recognized on the Propel 100 list of the most influential PR tech leaders in the world for 2025. And he's at the forefront of AI and innovation and communications.

With over two decades of corporate and agency experience, Dan brings proven expertise in corporate and brand communications, integrated marketing, content strategy, social media, and brand storytelling. His deep understanding of emerging trends like generative AI and Comtech enables him to bridge the gap between strategy and innovation, helping organizations adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

He was born in New Jersey. Spent 16 years in the land of the rising Sun, and he speaks Japanese as well, which is a reflection of his adaptability and global perspective. And this curiosity and ability to connect ideas across disciplines drives his passion for empowering PR and marketing leaders to confidently embrace AI and unlock its full potential.

Connect with Dan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nestle/

be-inquisitive.com (Company)

trendingcommunicator.com

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this...

In this episode of the Focus Core Podcast, host Simon Jelfs interviews Makoto Tosa, a professional rugby player for NEC Green Rockets and Mitsubishi DynaBoars, and an Executive MBA student at the University of Cambridge. They discuss the fast-paced generational cycle in rugby, Tosa's career journey starting from junior high school in Japan to playing for Oxford and Cambridge University. Tosa shares insights on the differences and similarities between rugby cultures in Japan and the UK and his experiences balancing professional rugby, studies, and family life. They also explore Tosa's MBA project on Gen Z fan engagement strategies and his plans for a future career in sports business.

The latest FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

• Tosa’s rugby journey
• The differences and similarities between rugby cultures in Japan and the UK
• Tosa's MBA project on Gen Z fan engagement strategies
• The Generational Shifts in UK and Japanese rugby

About Tosa:

 Tosa has played professional rugby for the NEC Green Rockets and the Mitsubishi DynaBoars, as well as being a coach. And he also has experience working as an international relations manager for Mitsubishi DynaBoars. He has extensive experience in brand development, international relations, and athlete advocacy. He is one of a very special club of rugby players to have played for Oxford and Cambridge University in the Varsity match, and he is currently pursuing an executive MBA at the University of Cambridge, which includes an MBA project covering Gen Z fan engagement.

Connect with Tosa:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/makoto-tosa-from-being-the-professional-athlete-to-the-world-of-sports-marketing/

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjelfs/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide