“To achieve real results, you need a clear understanding of how well your product fits a new market. 

Success is not achieved through guesswork, but through a clear strategy and carefully targeted actions. You also need a strong network of contacts across different stakeholders. People who are willing to listen, ask the right questions, open doors and guide you in the right direction. They help identify the right partners, because without the right collaboration even a great product or service may never reach Japanese customers with real purchasing power.

I have worked with Tiina Ropo for many years and know her way of working well. When considering whether Japan could be the right market for your company, she is the right person to talk to. I highly recommend her."

“Tiina organized a useful 2 hours workshop before we started a new project to Japan. Her long experience doing business in the region and real life examples helped us to understand and think about different cultures. We received good tips, best practises how to communicate and where to focus especially. For sure we have now a better start for our project. I can warmly recommend Tiina ́s services.”

TONI KASKILA

THALES DIS Finland Oy

“During the visit, we had discussions with senior executives from Japan’s largest supermarket, convenience store and department store chains. The topics included fresh ready-made food, digital solutions and customer experience, as well as future trends and challenges in the retail sector, not forgetting the importance of responsible business practices.

In Japan, doors to meetings at this level do not open without excellent networks and contacts. My warm thanks to Tiina Ropo for creating these outstanding connections and for all the preparation and support that made our rewarding visit possible.”

MIRKKA SAIKANMÄKI
COO, Pirkanmaa Cooperative

“An eye-opening experience and a strong lever for future work. Companies that joined the Tampere Chamber of Commerce delegation to Japan describe the visit as positive but realistic: the real work starts now.”

Article in Finnish: täältä.

”Olimme Japanissa - Tokiossa, Kiotossa, Osakassa ja Nagoyassa - opinto- ja yritysvierailumatkalla Tampereen yliopiston ylimmän liikkeenjohdon General Executive MBA XIII -ohjelman opiskelijoiden kanssa 11.-21.9.2022. 

Opintomatkalla vierailimme useissa japanilaisissa kansainvälisissä ja kansallisissa yrityksissä, yliopistoissa ja Suomen suurlähetystössä sekä tutustuimme laajasti japanilaiseen kulttuuriin useissa eri kohteissa. Matkan aikana tapasimme yritysten ja muiden organisaatioiden ylintä johtoa.

Matkamme suunnittelusta ja toteutuksesta vastasi CEO Tiina Ropo, joka toimi myös pääoppaanamme Japanissa. Hän hoiti koko tehtäväalueensa erittäin ammattitaitoisesti. Voin lämpimästi suositella häntä vastaavanlaisiin tehtäviin.”

KARI NEILIMO
vuorineuvos, taloustiet. tri
GEMBA XIII -ohjelman johtaja

“Thank you, Tiina Ropo and Business Japan! Together we embarked on an insightful learning journey into the current state of Japan’s healthcare system and the regulatory changes shaping its future. You helped us identify the local contacts we needed across different stakeholder groups and supported our visibility by opening doors to seminars and speaking opportunities relevant to our service. For a small Finnish company, this kind of market exploration was an essential first step in our decision to invest in exporting our service.”

Hanna Ekman

Executive Vice President, EMTELE Oy

We engaged Business Japan and Tiina Ropo’s expertise in Japan to open dialogue with Japanese companies potentially interested in investing in Finland. Tiina Ropo designed the visit programme and arranged meetings by making full use of her extensive network in Japan. Through her, we also secured interpreter services. Tiina joined the trip as our delegation leader and prepared our group beforehand by introducing us to Japanese business culture.

Our experience with Business Japan and Tiina Ropo’s services has been extremely positive, and we can confidently recommend her for advancing cooperation between Japan and Finland.

JOUKO HAUTAMÄKI

Director, Economic Development and Growth
City of Pori, Finland

“The insights shared by Tiina Ropo and Sakari Romu have stayed with us and continue to influence our everyday work. Without the training, we would not have understood our Japanese customers’ culture, needs and their enthusiastic appreciation for the beloved Moomins as well as we do now.

The training was comprehensive and highly engaging, covering topics ranging from language and business culture to general etiquette. We have enjoyed every interaction with our customers, and working with Japanese clients in particular has been smooth and pleasant. Much of this is thanks to the better understanding we now have of their cultural background.

We have even dared to greet and thank our customers in Japanese, which has brought genuine smiles and appreciation.

The trainers were highly professional and the content was of excellent quality.”

KAROLIINA HÄKKINEN

Development Coordinator, Tampere Hall

“Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd has collaborated with Business Japan during 2016–2017. Together with Tiina Ropo, networks for wellbeing and health technology companies were built in the Japanese market. These networks have helped open doors for companies to develop international business and establish partnerships that support export growth.

The Lahti Region has also been able to develop regional cooperation channels with various Japanese partners, including organisations in the Tokyo, Fukuoka and Kobe regions.

The cooperation has been rewarding, and the companies that participated in the Japan delegation visits we organised together have given very positive feedback. Overall, the Lahti Region has gained strong momentum in developing its engagement with the Japanese market.”

ISTO VANHAMÄKI

Head of Development,
Lahti Region Development LADEC

“Tiina Ropo designed an excellent programme for our study visit to Japan. Our destinations were Osaka and Tokyo. She created a diverse and engaging programme that provided a comprehensive overview of Japanese culture, lifestyles and the retail sector.

Our objective was to learn how Japan’s ageing population, shrinking household sizes and long period of economic stagnation have influenced the retail industry.

Tiina has truly outstanding contacts in Japan. She had done thorough preparation when designing the programme and had carefully considered even the smallest details to ensure that the meetings, visits and destinations formed a coherent and meaningful whole.

She also acted as our guide for most of the trip in Japan, which was extremely valuable in helping us make the most of the visit. I warmly recommend Tiina for similar projects.”

TIMO MÄKI-ULLAKKO

CEO, Pirkanmaa Cooperative

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