Last time I was talking about the various benefits to be gained from doing an internship. The post was extremely positive for the most part but I ended it on a more sinister note. Although it is good to put a positive spin on life and be optimistic about things, it sometimes helps to consider the worst-case scenario.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
The benefits of doing an internship
In the current economic climate, it can be very difficult to land a safe, secure job. While even some of the more experienced employees are being laid off these days, people with no experience whatsoever find it hard to secure a job in the first place. While internships have been around as long as people have been willing to participate in them, they are becoming more common and sometimes even replace full-time/part-time employees as a (cheeky) way of cutting costs. But there are still many benefits to doing an internship!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Learning versus Doing
It's been about three weeks since I started working at Marutaka Techno, and I already feel like I have learnt more about business in these three weeks than in my two years at university in the UK (I won't count my year in Japan as I didn't really study much business). In my opinion, business is not really something that can be "learnt" in a classroom or lecture theatre.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Marketing to hotels and health clubs
So anyway I've been busy at work recently, searching for prospective customers in the UK to whom I might be able to sell Marutaka Techno's products. As Marutaka Techno doesn't sell directly to the end-user, I have to root out fairly large scale companies that might place substantial orders for our products. The company's products currently sell fairly well in hotels and spas across Japan, so I've decided to go down the same route for the UK entry plan.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Killing time with DVDs from Tsutaya!
Hey guys I'm back at the Manga Kissaten throwing away my money again! Although I've been having a good time for the last few days, I can't live (as I expected) without the internet!
You're probably wondering..
"What in the world is 'Tsutaya'?"
Good question! I'm going to answer that right away!
 |
| Although I have an old TV, I prefer my clearer Mac screen and better speakers! |
You're probably wondering..
"What in the world is 'Tsutaya'?"
Good question! I'm going to answer that right away!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Killing time in the Manga Kissaten!
Hey hey hey!
As you may have noticed, I haven't posted since last week ish! The reason is that because my company is on holiday for a week, I don't have access to the internet!
That's where Manga Kissatens (or Mangaki in short (or Mancs if you're a Mancunian like me)) come in! You become a member (about 300 yen) and you can go into one of the booths (by yourself) or get a slightly bigger one if there's two or more people and then use the internet, watch tv or just read comic books. There's also free drinks with unlimited refills so it's a pretty good deal! Some of the computers are a bit old here but some of them are brand new and can play the latest games at high resolutions!
As you may have noticed, I haven't posted since last week ish! The reason is that because my company is on holiday for a week, I don't have access to the internet!
That's where Manga Kissatens (or Mangaki in short (or Mancs if you're a Mancunian like me)) come in! You become a member (about 300 yen) and you can go into one of the booths (by yourself) or get a slightly bigger one if there's two or more people and then use the internet, watch tv or just read comic books. There's also free drinks with unlimited refills so it's a pretty good deal! Some of the computers are a bit old here but some of them are brand new and can play the latest games at high resolutions!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Doing unpaid overtime on an unpaid internship!
Right my boss is back so I better go!
Ciao!
Price and Prejudice #2
Good afternoon to all of my (two or three) readers!
It's a bright and sunny day here in Fujieda city (not that I would know because I'm stuck in the office at the moment) and I've come back to Let's Talk Internships to talk more about pricing. I'm going to be drawing on points from my previous entry about pricing so I hope you will check it before you continue on with today's article.
So last time, I was talking about Marutaka Techno's pricing policies, and how pricing policies change depending on whether you are a manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or retailer. Perhaps my last entry was a bit ambiguous, as I was talking about the price at which Marutaka Techno wants its products to be sold to the consumer. The price that Marutaka Techno quotes to its buyers (the distributors and retailers) is a whole different kettle of fish!
It's a bright and sunny day here in Fujieda city (not that I would know because I'm stuck in the office at the moment) and I've come back to Let's Talk Internships to talk more about pricing. I'm going to be drawing on points from my previous entry about pricing so I hope you will check it before you continue on with today's article.
So last time, I was talking about Marutaka Techno's pricing policies, and how pricing policies change depending on whether you are a manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or retailer. Perhaps my last entry was a bit ambiguous, as I was talking about the price at which Marutaka Techno wants its products to be sold to the consumer. The price that Marutaka Techno quotes to its buyers (the distributors and retailers) is a whole different kettle of fish!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Price and Prejudice #1
Do you like what I did there?
As you will have realised by now, I'm currently working at a company called MARUTAKA TECHNO マルタカテクノ. If you had a look at the company's modest website, you'll soon notice that it isn't such a big operation. However, Marutaka Techno is loosely connected to a much larger group of Marutaka firms.
As you will have realised by now, I'm currently working at a company called MARUTAKA TECHNO マルタカテクノ. If you had a look at the company's modest website, you'll soon notice that it isn't such a big operation. However, Marutaka Techno is loosely connected to a much larger group of Marutaka firms.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Photos of my company (Marutaka Techno)
I'm back again already! Wasn't that quick ;)
Did you have a look at the photos from around Yaizu? If you haven't then please click here!
Now that you've seen where I'm living, I'd like to show you photos from my workplace. I could explain my job but as they say (I think..) a picture paints a thousand words. So without further ado..
Did you have a look at the photos from around Yaizu? If you haven't then please click here!
Now that you've seen where I'm living, I'd like to show you photos from my workplace. I could explain my job but as they say (I think..) a picture paints a thousand words. So without further ado..
Just a few photos!
It's me again!
While I've been here I've taken a few pictures so I'd like to share those with you!
Here are some photos of where I live and the area around me. I'll be sure to upload photos of my workplace in the next post so keep your eyes peeled!
Enjoy!
While I've been here I've taken a few pictures so I'd like to share those with you!
Here are some photos of where I live and the area around me. I'll be sure to upload photos of my workplace in the next post so keep your eyes peeled!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
My trip to Hamamatsu with a bit of self-racism!
Good to see you here again!
It's been a few couple of days since I last posted, but I'm back again!
On the weekend I took a trip to Hamamatsu for a small drinking event and it was a very enriching experience! Hamamatsu is a medium-sized city located near the coast, between Shizuoka and Nagoya. I'm currently living in a place near Shizuoka called Yaizu, so it took me just over an hour and (1110 yen) to get to Hamamatsu by train. While I was living in Amagasaki and commuting around the Osaka area, I would say that the vast (VAST) majority of people were "native" Japanese. As such, I was usually the only foreign-looking person within my line of sight (Yes, I can see myself!). As a knock-on effect, I would usually get given the stares (I would say more curious stares rather than evil ones) but I eventually got used to it and it happened less and less as people saw me more often around town.
It's been a few couple of days since I last posted, but I'm back again!
On the weekend I took a trip to Hamamatsu for a small drinking event and it was a very enriching experience! Hamamatsu is a medium-sized city located near the coast, between Shizuoka and Nagoya. I'm currently living in a place near Shizuoka called Yaizu, so it took me just over an hour and (1110 yen) to get to Hamamatsu by train. While I was living in Amagasaki and commuting around the Osaka area, I would say that the vast (VAST) majority of people were "native" Japanese. As such, I was usually the only foreign-looking person within my line of sight (Yes, I can see myself!). As a knock-on effect, I would usually get given the stares (I would say more curious stares rather than evil ones) but I eventually got used to it and it happened less and less as people saw me more often around town.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Internship Specifics
It's me again!
It's been four days since I moved to Shizuoka and while there have been a couple of bad apples, there have been a lot fantastic developments!
It's been four days since I moved to Shizuoka and while there have been a couple of bad apples, there have been a lot fantastic developments!
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