Inception module

Inception module

1. Purpose of the inception module Top

   The main objectives of the inception module are:

   • To help the participants to reshape the business strategies/plans of their company with a particular focus on how to do business with Japan or Korea
   • To facilitate the appropriate behaviour of participants in the host countries
   • To provide an overview of the economy and political situation in Japan or Korea
   • To introduce aspects of Japanese or Korean art, literature, music and film, as well as key aspects of culture and society such as religion, gender issues, demographics, customs and etiquette

2. Training curriculum Top

   Day 1	Welcome day Introduction to the Programme by the European Commission Programme Management and by the representatives of the Delegations of the European Union in Japan and Korea.
   	Japanese component	Korean component
   Day 2	Historical background Session 1: The East Asian region before 1800 Session 2: Japan before 1800 Session 3: Seminar discussion of assigned reading	Historical background Session 1: The East Asia region before 1800 Session 2: Pre-modern Korea Session3: Seminar discussion of assigned reading
   Day 3	Modern Japan Session 1: Modern East Asia Session 2: Modern Japan Session 3: Visit to British Museum	Modern Korea Session 1: Modern East Asia Session 2: Korea since the late 19th century Session 3: Visit to the British Museum
   Day 4	The East Asian region today Session 1: International relations Session 2: Japanese politics in the 21st century Session 3: Group work on current affairs in Japan and the region	The East Asian region today Session 1: The East Asian region today Session 2: Korean politics Session 3: Group work to discuss and present current events
   Day 5	Japanese economy Session 1: Development of post-war Japanese economy Session 2: Gender, employment and demographic transition Session 3: Seminar and discussion	Korean economy Session 1: Overview of Korean economy Session 2: Economy, finance and employment issues in Korea Session 3: Case studies and discussion
   Day 6	Japanese culture and society I Session 1: Religions practice in Japan Session 2: Japanese art Session 3: Screening of a Japanese film and discussion	Korean culture and society I Session 1: Religion in Korean society Session 2: Korean art Session 3: Screening of Korean film followed by discussion
   Day 7	Japanese culture and society II Session 1: Japanese literature Session 2: Japanese popular culture Session 3: Introduction to Japanese and Korean music	Korean culture and society II Session 1: Korean literature Session 2: Popular culture in Korea Session 3: Introduction to Japanese and Korean music
   Day 8	Japanese culture and society III Session 1: Japanese society today Session 2: Minorities and diversity in Japan Session 3: Documentary and discussion followed my dinner in Japanese restaurant	Korean culture and society III Session 1: Contemporary Korean society Session 2: The foreigner in Korea Session 3: Visit to Korean cultural centre followed by dinner in Korean restaurant
   	Business component
   Day 9	Formulating a business plan and strategy for Japan and Korea Session 1: Context of business planning and strategy Session 2: Business plan and strategy Session 3: Practical session
   Day 10	Business in Japan I Session 1: Evolution of Japan’s economy from a business perspective Session 2: Japanese firms and business networks Session 3: Workshops		Business in Korea I Session 1: Evolution of Korea’s economy from a business perspective Session 2: Korean firms and business networks Session 3: Workshops
   Day 11	Business in Japan II Session 1: Japanese business model and strategy Session 2: Japanese business in transition Session 3: Workshops		Business in Korea II Session 1: Korean business model and strategy Session 2: Evaluating business in Korea Session 3: Workshops
   Day 12	Business case studies Session 1: Patterns in Japanese firms Session 2: Foreign direct investment and the future of Japanese business Session 3: Business plan workshops		Business case studies Session 1: Case studies 1 Session 2: Case studies 2 Session 3: Business plan workshops
   Day 13	Business culture and etiquette Session 1: Doing Business in Asia Session 2: Roundtable discussion with industry speakers Session 3: Business plan presentations
   Day 14	Orientation session Practical information session Representatives of the Japanese and Korean Education Providers will give a comprehensive presentation of the Immersion Module and the Internship as well as on the working and living conditions in the hosting countries.
   Day 15

    

3. Organiser Top

   A 3-week Inception module organised by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). SOAS is college of the University of London; based in the heart of London. Expertise on Japan, Korea and the region is spread across the SOAS departments, with specialists in a wide range of subjects. The Japan Research Centre and Centre of Korean Studies of SOAS will be instrumental in preparing and providing the training for the ETP participants.

   SOAS has built a strong reputation around the globe for the quality of its teaching, research and services to business and the community. It has been consistently ranked among the top higher education institutions both in the UK and internationally. Since its inception in 1916 SOAS has had a remit to provide training in Asian and African studies to diplomats and international business people, helping them to familiarize themselves with the relevant languages and cultures in order to operate more effectively overseas.

   Read more about SOAS

4. Benefits for the sponsoring company Top

   ETP participants are expected to arrive with their business plans and strategies partially developed. During the Inception Module they will receive intensive training on how to develop business plans and strategies and will shape them further based on the characteristics of the Japanese/Korean markets. The SAOS experts (the combination of academics and practitioners) will review the current plan and make recommendations for priorities going forward.

   The Inception Module will ensure that all the participants have the background knowledge and skills in order to create a well-developed business plan and strategy.