In March 2003 I left Arkhe to work out of my home. The reason why I finally left was because I was diverging more and more from the owner's philosophy. I also didn't like the path down which he was traveling and found that his method of doing business was very "dirty" to me. I expanded it with him (now they have 3 companies in the same building and are focusing more on biodegradable things - where the money is) to 11 people but found that he needed to lead it his way without me dragging it back by disagreeing with him all the time. So, I left.I recall it was 36 degrees (C) in my home office (97F), I was sitting working at MY OWN BUSINESS in nothing but a pair of shorts and a towel around my neck. I paid the bills, but even now I still don't really take a salary; however the business plan is extremely sound. I know this and I have proven it over and over again to myself and my clients that honor me with their business and trust that what I offer is correct and necessary in this world.
What is that you may ask now? Well, this is my mission statement:
"To prosper while exceeding the needs and expectations of clientele and associates in all aspects of cooperation through mutually beneficial Win-Win agreements."
So how does that become a business? It's tough! But extremely satisfying.
I have finally been able to put into words the true meaning of my existence on this planet we call earth: to help. All my life I have been helping people.
There are many fantastic products here in Japan and overseas that never make it to one another because of so many barriers. Japan is so different from anywhere else in the world that much that occurs, fails to succeed. I have seen this through my amazing opportunity at Arkhe and learned so much. With just a desire to help and no skill, there would be nothing I could do. Yet, while developing the non-Asia global market for that company I learned so many skills that many people do not possess in business.
I take these skills, my understanding of Japan, her people, the language and culture, and my big desire to HELP people to the world. I have created a business that is designed to help Japanese and non-Japanese companies bridge the gap, the expanse between Japan and the world, and do successful business.
I called this business INTRMARKET SOLUTIONS (without the first "E" in INTR on purpose to further distinguish myself from the world - and also to get this domain name!). It is an international, internet based global Solutions business. And it works.
I do too much to explain here in detail, but if you look at my website @ www.intrmarketsolutions.com you will find everything there. I hope that I keep working at this business and satisfying people's needs. It is not ever going to become a major business, but it satisfies my great need to HELP, and my clients receive far better, timely, economical service than they ever can seem to find anywhere else. And they get results as well! Now how can you ask for more than that?? Oh yes, they also get a witty, charming, guy to work with who loves to write very long detailed emails and reports and communicate.
I have found several companies for short term jobs around the world, and hope to continue this because of course I need to pay the bills.
I love you!
Cam
Stay tuned for Part 9: The "Perfect" Plan from Hell
I beg to differ, Cam. I believe that marvelous things occur everywhere - local magnets and fear mongers squash a lot of stuff.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, so many of the business models that exist around the world, have failed when brought to Japan. The problem is that these companies fail to realize that they need to adjust their business model for the unique differences of this country. Many companies take their model to Korea with success, to HK with success, to China with success. So they think that they can bring it to Japan with success. But it doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteRobin, this is not just my opinion, but history of business in Japan.
What you wrote and what I read are obviously 2 different things, Cam. I'm saying that brilliant products/innovative ideas & technology/green thinking, etc has been stomped on by "the powers that be" because they have put finite markers on infinite things. There is enough for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI like your minimalist web design..
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you comment on this. The Japanese government has realized that they blew it by relaxing the rigorous education that they have had for a very long time. These past 10 years have been quite lax for students, and this years international scholastic competitions has shown that Japan has fallen waaaay off the charts. It has become a big embarrassment for the government. I just read in the paper today that they are going to be increasing the class time by 30% to bring back the level of education of the past that kept Japanese students at the top of the competitions for so long.
ReplyDeleteI know it may not seem related to our discussion, but products/innovative ideas & technology/green thinking have taken a nose dive because of this. I guess it will take another 10 years to bring it back up to snuff.
Shadow - Thanks.
cam you don't think relaxing the strict educational standards will improve creativity and therefore innovations? I know most creative people don't function well in a strict and inflexible enviroment
ReplyDeleteWhy are you saying it's 'interesting' that I comment on this? I may be a snarky, one-eyed woman this time of the morning, but I am always an educator.
ReplyDeleteThe US has fallen off the academic horse, but there are STILL shining stars everywhere who no-one gets to see. My biggest bitch comes from when I taught Gifted & Talented - truly remarkable children who could make a difference weren't chosen for the program because they aren't good test takers.
Damn it, Cam! You got me started! Where's Jen's video?
Big day today - I have to VOTE!!! Going to the acupuncturist this afternoon, too.
I've worked with inventors with no college degrees, self-taught and with multiple US patents..that's the true power of the US.. any one can join the field and rise to the top regardless of background
ReplyDeleteHey Shadow - creativity and innovation are essential, but you NEED technical ability to back it up. I also feel that creative people would do even better with a bit of "black & white" - we live our lives with shades of grey and sometimes lose our focus for it.
ReplyDeleteJust one artist's opinion who works with engineers all day...
It's "interesting" that you commented on this the very same day that I read the information about the government reversing the relaxed education rules. That is what's interesting.
ReplyDeleteShadow - That's precisely what they were thinking 10 years ago because they "relaxed" the rote studies in order to give creativity a better chance. However, ... apparently, and again, this is not my opinion because although Japanese kids and young ones are little shits with no manners these days (they weren't 18 years ago), the results of tests, schooling, etc. has shown dismal results.
Robin - Hey, how's that coming along, by the way? Did you have any long lasting pain relief from it? I would love to send you this book, but I figure you could probably get it cheaper from amazon used than it would cost me for postage!
cam, it should have worked but it's probraly a cultural thing as creativity is not something that is celebrated in Asia.. you can't have an underling rise above his/her manager in the pecking order for having brilliant ideas..
ReplyDeletered- agreed..some people are too technical and having no creativity and others are too creative and having to technicals..
Shadow - Maybe it is just one of those weird things about Japan; maybe they really do need more structure, as opposed to freedom. I could go into how different the office system is, and it would probably surprise you. I wrote about it a while back and many of the North Americans revolted to my ideas of the office environment.
ReplyDeletemaybe you can repost that.. the strict and structured family system with expectations may also have something to do with it? I don't know how strict they are now compared to the past..
ReplyDeleteYou are a GIVER! I have much to learn about you Cameron Switzer.
ReplyDeleteShadow - Actually, society is collapsing here. It's fascinating to watch all of the good parts of Japan crumble away, leaving a seedy, ugly core. Fascinating, but really sad and terrible because all of the things you see on TV are not reality. (as if that's something new, right?) I'm serious. The people here are not the same they used to be a generation ago. It really is frightening.
ReplyDeleteMorning Swag! I love you!!
cam what happen too much westernizatons?
ReplyDeleteShadow Again - Actually, I don't know where it was. I have nearly 800 blogs on 360. I never bothered to transfer them over. I'm afraid to go back and try to find my own content.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think so, to tell the truth. This is just my thinking, but to me it kind of makes sense...
Atom Bomb destroys life as we know it in Japan. No food, no water, bare survival. Parents work themselves to death to feed their children. Respect for teachers, elderly, parents, education etc. still very much respected.
Children grow up and remember how hard life was and how they had nothing. They never want their children to experience this. They work themselves to death to give their children everything. They remember how harsh their parents were with them, so they "relax the rules". Kids get tons of freedom.
This third generation grows up having everything. All they had to do was ask, and they would get. They don't understand the concept of money. They have stopped really recognizing the importance of respect for elderly, parents, teachers, educators, etc. as they learn that life for them is good. They are the materialists and they get what they want. They become the "me generation". Much more affluent than their parents ever were.
These are the 30 somethings now. There is a bizarre thing going on with a ton of child murders, rapes, burnings, etc. etc. in this generation. Parents killing children and selves, teenage children cracking up and burning up houses, killing siblings and parents. It's really really bad. You don't know this because it doesn't show up over there, I don't think judging by the shock when I tell others about this. Daily morning "death news". Why I hate the TV on in the mornings (my wife wants it on so she can learn about the news). The negative energy that flows out of the TVs every morning with new murders, etc. is horrendous.
The 20 something are worse. They have become a "me fuck you" generation and they could give a shit about anybody else but their own gratification. They have young elementary school kids as well as the early 30s and these kids have become monsters. The parents yell at them, but they do not discipline them. These parents have also turned against the teachers (maybe because they received too much discipline from teachers?) and will not let the school system reprimand the children (like it used to be) because the teachers "have no damn right to do that to our kids". So the kids now are cutting each other's throats with Xacto knives in AV rooms (girls), or rolling other kids up in gym mats and leaving them to suffocate to death, or cutting off each other's heads and pretending it is a game, or committing suicide left, right and center, or killing their siblings, burning their houses, stabbing teachers....
There is a HUGE young population of "me fuck yous" who refuse to work. They just go around from job to job getting money for their own pleasures, refusing to pay into pensions (mandatory from the age of 20), or not working at all. They aren't supporting the pension system. And their isn't enough money to be paying the retirees now.
And they are really rude now, too. They take their toddlers and go to family restaurants at midnight to hang around with their friends and smoke and talk. The kids run around screaming and yelling, and they let them. The employees are afraid to ask the parents to take control of their kids because then the parents yell at them.
And on and on it goes.
It is a very ugly downward spiral.
Maybe I should have blogged this. Maybe I still should...
Does this give you an idea of what is really going on here?
Are you sitting down?
Honour? Respect? Samurai Spirit? It's GONE.
cam, thanks for the run down I guess it takes someone to live there to know what's going on aside from the facade of everything is going well.. but some of the things you talk about I see the same in the USA with asian families, the next generation simply doesn't appreciate what their parents has to go through to get them to where they are.. I've been to a few asian nursing homes here and it's truely sad.. so I guess the Samurai race is on a spin downward.. doesn't look good for them when they retire.. yes I'd be intererested in seeing more blogs from you on Japanese society..
ReplyDeleteSadly this sounds eerily similar to what is occuring in the U.S. now. The 20-somethings with the "me fuck you" attitude? That is VERY prevalent here. (With the exception of the extreme violence that you are describing). Spoiled, pampered young adults.
ReplyDelete"Children grow up and remember how hard life was and how they had nothing. They never want their children to experience this. They work themselves to death to give their children everything. They remember how harsh their parents were with them, so they "relax the rules". Kids get tons of freedom."
I see the same thing here. Exactly.
Swag - Aside from 9/11 there have been no weapons of mass destruction obliterating millions of people and wiping out entire cities in seconds on N.A. soil. Ever. Pray there never will be.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not! Absolutely. I'm only speaking about the ATTITUDES. Apathy. I truly think it has much to do with overpopulation.
ReplyDeleteSwag - Now THAT is interesting.... well, since our population here is decreasing, maybe things will start to change. Very interesting indeed.
ReplyDelete*waves at Swag!* Hi Sister S!!
ReplyDeleteSpoiled 20somethings are the result of spoiled, over-indulgent, over-protective parents.
ReplyDeleteI see my kids friends (and they had their moments themselves but influenced by friends) who think they should NEVER have a negative experience. Their parents fostered this.
Not because they had it so hard ( we're the Baby Boomers... we had it great), but many in our generation were spoiled also ... and lazy .
Lazy parenting is a problem. Just let the kid have or do whatever. It's easier than practicing discipline.
It wasn't fun brining the kids home from the park early, or leaving the groceries in the store, or turning the car around when they acted up or got out of control, but we did it and the kids learned to behave themselves... it only takes a few times. I think i have described ALL such events in our family... see... 3, maybe 4 incidents of losing fun, privileges etc. And they were back on track.
They are now thoughtful, considerate, loving and compassionate 20 somethings.
No "me fuck yous "over here.
Sounds very violent what those kids are doing to each other. But look at what is going on here. We have students going to schools and shooting as many as they can take out and then shooting themselves. We have mothers killing their children by drowning, or over medicating, or burning them up alive in their homes. We have police beating up people, we have people burning down churches and mosques, we have rape cases out the wazzoo, we have homes where both parents have to work extra long hours just to make ends meet and small children come home to empty houses to fend for themselves, we have neighbors not speaking to each other, and we have a government that doesn't care about the problems here but think that it is our duty to police the world and become the bully that goes and starts illegal wars in other countries leaving our own land defenseless. The list goes on and on and I know Cam you don't like to hear negative and its very upsetting to you. So I'm sorry for going on and on about the crap that we are having to put up with here. I wonder when its going to get better for the world don't you?
ReplyDeleteoh my god, Jenny.... the Lazy Parenting Syndrome is one of my soap boxes!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it stems from the fact that parents are taught over and over.. never hit a child.... and so... kids misbehave... and they do nothing..... they have no alternative plan of action... You can't break a habit unless you replace it with a new one.... Parenting takes brains, it takes thinking.. it's constant strategy.... discipline is always changing.. always moving.... and parents think.. "well, I can't spank.. so my hands are tied." bullshit. Stop whining and start thinking.
they have tv show call super-nanny.. 5 year old run the family LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. I've never been a parent, so I really have no input into this interesting shift in topics. But fascinating nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand that show
ReplyDeleteIt makes me want to spank the parents. I watched it once... and it stressed me out so much that there are soooooo many people like that!!
Cam.. even though you are not a 'parent' you are a caring, compassionate human being... and whether you realize it or not.. you do influence young people... even if it's just four little kids who live in Kansas.... so... input!
Shadow - Who is "they" in your comment?
ReplyDeleteMavis - No, this is no problem. Talk away. It's what we are on. Life is not a bed of roses. The thing that has shocked me is I remember that kind of stuff when I was in N.A. and most countries see the USA as one of the most violent first world countries... but to come to Japan, and see the good Japan that we learned about on TV, in books, and NG, and then to actually witness it fall apart ... is ... traumatizing.
Everything moves really fast here in Japan when it starts rolling. Even degeneration. It's like watching those stoptime movies of flowers growing, blooming, and dying all in a few seconds.
Stefnee - OK OK OK. No more cheerios for them! That's my input. I wish my mom had known the perils of liquid white carbs on solid carbs with extra shaken crystalline carbs sprinkled on top, next to square toasted carbs washed down with sweet orange-coloured carbs.....
besides... I'm no more qualified to be a parent than you are........
ReplyDeleteI have one of those "me fuck yous" And all I can say is "what the f**** did I do wrong with that one"?
ReplyDeleteWell, it's not like you had four immaculate conceptions or anything like that. That puts you four up on me for sure.
ReplyDeleteSheila - Hmmm.... could there have been an "abundance of love" and not enough "tough love"?
ReplyDeleteThey is american television..... there is a show ... The Nanny.. or something.. Super Nanny? where this woman goes into a home where the children are out of control... seriously... an embarrassment to humanity... (not kidding) and teaches the kids how to behave and teaches the parents how to ... parent.
ReplyDeleteMavis.. sometimes... that just happens.. I think.
Cam.. I am not sure what you mean.... I got them doing the same things you do.. I just got caught!
Maybe that and some really real mental issues that had nothing to do with anything except not ever getting it diagnosed.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Sweety. I just don't think the problem here is that bad.
ReplyDeleteand where it is, it's not the kid's fault. It's usually the parents. Stef is right. Once parents couldn't hit they had no idea what to do when their kids acted out.
Ans parents don't want to chang their plans or lives to discipline, so they whine and beg an unruly child to settle down, instead of REMOVING them. Yup, you'll have to miss the movie, the meal or whatever... this time!
Try again soon and remind them what happened the last time... works fairly well... lessons are learned.
And Cam, you may not be a parent but you were obviously well raised by very good ones.
You're qualified.
Carbs?
ReplyDeleteYes, Sorry Mavis. There ARE problems, usually developnental and emotional psychological that can thwart the best parenting.
ReplyDeleteLove is not always enough.
It ate my comment!!
ReplyDeleteJen - You know, I remember a few times (not many because I learned very quickly) specifically my parents getting up from the restaurant in mid meal, paying, and taking us home immediately. Boy did we get spanked for ruining their dinner by our rudeness!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I know that about parents being thwarted. But it isn't too surprising when you think about it because children are usually away from home more than they are at home during their school years which means that the school and their child society is doing a LOT of the raising, and educating. And it isn't always what the parents have in mind.
Oops. But I wouldn't know about that.
Jen I guess I see too much of the negative side since I work in a mental hospital. And well sometimes I just walk down those halls and see the misery and wonder what is going on? How did these people get so miserable? And Cam as much as I love you and agree with most of your ideas I don't think carbs have as much to do with most of our mental illnesses as does the breakdown in our health care system that makes doctors think ok this person has a problem so lets give them a pill and send them on and that pill doesn't work and they come back and get another and another and before you know it you have a real honest to goodness psyco running round loose in the world.
ReplyDeleteJen.... I have left a restaurant, paid my tab.. before the food arrived.
ReplyDeleteI have left carts of groceries in the aisles.... (more than once)
I've left movies...
I've left family gatherings....
and every time.. better than hitting my child.
You know.. I think it's also important to recognize limits.... I do tell my kids... Look, I'm really out of control right now, and can't deal with this rationally... go to your room, Please... and I'll talk to you later.
Mavis... I love you!!
And well, I'm getting off the main topic aren't I? Hahahaha. We were talking about parenting. hahaha
ReplyDeleteEating carbs and getting angrier as the transfats replace the omega 3 and omega 6 parent essential oils in their brain matter, in their nerve synapses, in their skin, and in their entire cells.
ReplyDeleteEver wonder why so many vegetarians seem to be so angry and protesting all the time? (no joke here).
omg.. cam.... childcare is another HUGE thing with me!!!!
ReplyDeletewhy have kids if you are goign to see them for less than an hour a day?? They're glorified PETS!
Forgive. I am in a really bad bad bad mood today because my protective instincts are clicking in here and I'm fighting a losing battle. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteSheila - I love you.
ReplyDelete*handing you a pill, labeled "oodles of love from Cam. take two every hour until you start to glow. No daily limit.*
And now I really have to go to work. So I will see ya'll later.
ReplyDeleteNothing to forgive Sheila.
ReplyDeleteI love you.
Ha! thank you for the love Cam
ReplyDeleteoh and thank you Jen
byeeeeee
I love yal;
ReplyDeleteand.. I'm sure that will piss a lot of working mothers off.... but too bad.
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids were small.... we had one income. I didnt' have a car... we walked everywhere... I shopped second hand... because it was more important for me to be at home than to have those things....
Mavis..... I love you!!
love you too stefnee
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteStef, i think we led parallel lives...
ReplyDeletewell not really cause you're still in it and i'm finally sitting back and exhaling... job done, mission accomplished...
Sex Week at Yale notwithstanding, LOL!
well.... sorta... I do work part time now. Hate it.. but it's while the kids are at school.
ReplyDeleteStef, i worked part time too once they were in school.
ReplyDeleteI still do. I never got into the full time work thing again.
I like flexibility of part time work and i'll take other work on the side to supplement.
I just don't like committing to the same 8 hr. every day at the same time and place.. *shudder*.
ok.. I'm off to work! (irony)
ReplyDeleteSee ya!
I lived surrounded by germans, ukrainians, and pollacks, and -45C winters, with +40 summers so I don't think my life was parallel.....
ReplyDeleteIt was to mine, Cammie Pants...
ReplyDeleteShhhhhh - don't tell anyone I'm here. I'm supposed to be working. Oh crap! I have to dash for a meeting.
I really loathe lazy parenting - and sometimes I boggle at people who have to have daycare, but don't care to even look into it? I just... fail to understand.
ReplyDeleteParenting is HARD and *gasp* it's time consuming. Consider: You have to take a test and get licensed to drive. Nothing said for kids? At least SOME kind of education would be really awesome. They popped a tape in a VCR at the hospital while I was waiting to go home with Small Thing. "How to bathe your child" and "Infant CPR" On tape. >.<
I don't know exactly what the situation in Japan is... living on base is a bit of an insulator. Granted, there are a lot of families here that use the same facilities - at last check there are more Japanese on base than Americans, counting families, employees and defense forces. I'm not completely immersed in the country by any means, especially with such a huge language barrier.
I do know that having your own business suits you. You're definitely a "Born Organizer!" I could never keep so much straight without a minor meltdown. I'm so glad you were able to find just what you needed and learned what you needed (so far!) when you needed it!
*HUGS*
Hi Steffie!
ReplyDeleteHi Steffie!!
ReplyDeleteI had a comment but I hit the wrong button and it went away. GERRRRRR
ReplyDeleteHey you... we're discussing overpopulation on my blog right now. See what you started!
ReplyDeleteVoter # 428 for Districts 3 & 4 reporting! I'm so excited right now I can hardly stand myself!
ReplyDeletehmmmmm... What about Jeffrey Dahmer? I am pretty sure he was off carbs... and he seemed a little cranky.
ReplyDeleteShame on you Cam for generalizing about vegetarians!!! ;)))
trying to catch up.. I've missed so much..
ReplyDeleteI'm back home.. and no longer lost.
OK OK OK, shame on me! I admit it! But when you visit vegan websites and see how angry they are, you really gotta wonder! Maybe it's just the angry ones that get vocal and ... angry.
ReplyDeleteTry a little test: tell a vegan that it sounds like they might need some bacon because they are so angry and watch what happens. An omnivore friend of mine told me they said this once, and somebody reached through their monitor and tried to rip off their lips while attempting to pull out their heart as well. I love you, Nancy. Thanks for kicking my ass. Yes, generalizing is not always the most politically correct thing to do (although there are truths to a lot of the generalizations otherwise they wouldn't be generalized).
cam- that is what friends are for to love us and kick our butt when we are wrong. Love you dear friend.
ReplyDeletelaughing @ Jeffrey.... yeah... kinda cranky... I dont' think it was the protein though....
ReplyDeleteJeffrey Dahmer? How did he end up in this conversation? WI gets all the crazies...
ReplyDeleteHe was the most famous Non-Carb eating person I could think of....
ReplyDeleteThat crazy bastard ate men...eeeeeeewwwwwwwwwww!
ReplyDelete