The FocusCore Podcast Podcast By Dr. David Sweet cover art

The FocusCore Podcast

The FocusCore Podcast

By: Dr. David Sweet
Listen for free

Meet interesting and inspiring and entertaining people who show why Japan is a unique, fulfilling and sometimes frustrating place to do business. We will discuss how to hire, train and retain talent. How to create values that motivate, and review best practices that have worked and attempts that have failed. David will be speaking to company presidents, CEOs, CFOs, HR professionals, coaches, consultants as well as sharing with you some of my own experiences and opinions discovered over the years in this great country. The focus is simple: To explore how to succeed in business in Japan.Copyright 2026 Dr. David Sweet Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • From Corporate to Entrepreneur in Japan with Naomi Takase(Washimi)

    From Corporate to Entrepreneur in Japan with Naomi Takase(Washimi)
    Mar 14 2026

    In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet speaks with Naomi Takase(Washimi) about her transition from global luxury talent acquisition roles at Richemont and LVMH to joining her husband’s Indian-inspired jewelry brand, TaroWashimi, in 2024. Naomi describes a year-long, anxiety-filled decision process driven by concerns about career trajectory, reputation, and losing the corporate “name,” then explains how startup life requires more generalist skills while still relying on identifying problems and executing solutions. She discusses working closely with her husband, the brand’s detailed craftsmanship, and the constraints of scaling handmade products, including long waitlists and growing the team from about 5 to 15. Naomi also shares her HR priorities, hiring for potential, flexible work, and supporting working mothers, along with challenges of international expansion, such as regulations, shipping, and rising gold costs.

    The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

    In this episode you will hear:

    1. How Naomi made the leap from a luxury career to entrepreneurship
    2. Insights into building a flexible and inclusive workplace culture
    3. Her perspective on people and leadership in growing a business
    4. Overcoming self-doubt and redefining professional identity
    5. Challenges and triumphs in expanding a niche brand across Asia
    6. Embracing career changes with agility and vision


    About Naomi:

    Naomi moved to Japan from New Zealand after graduating from university a long time ago. She began her career in Japan, in HR in a small recruitment firm that grew rapidly to over 700 employees during her 12-year tenure, and she was responsible for a lot of that. Naomi then moved in-house to talent acquisition, spending the next nine years with luxury groups, including

    Richman and LVMH. In both organizations, her roles were newly created and she was responsible for establishing the function. And then in 2024, she took a big jump and joined her husband's jewelry company, TaroWashimi. And it's a transition from a startup to a scale-up. And she enjoys the entrepreneurial environment and contributes through strategic organizational development.

    Naomi is also a busy mother of three and recently took up running with her husband.


    Connect with Naomi:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-takase/

    TaroWashimi: https://www.tarowashimi.jp/

    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.
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Transforming HR Practices in Japan with Brent Conkle & Dan Ring

    Transforming HR Practices in Japan with Brent Conkle & Dan Ring
    Feb 28 2026
    In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet speaks with Brent Conkle (President and CEO) and Dan Ring of Global Leadership Solutions about the high cost of leadership mishires, especially their impact on morale, engagement, and turnover. They discuss Japan’s tight talent market and introduce their Second Opinion Service (SOS), which uses the Garuda AS suite of assessments to measure universal leadership competencies, stress sensitivity, and role fit with reliable, evidence-based results that can be customized to company and local culture. The conversation covers common hiring biases (prestige, likability, referrals), the value of data to align local and HQ decisions, and how the same methodology can support selection for management programs, succession planning, and onboarding through transition coaching. They also discuss AI’s role in hiring and share advice on making better critical hires.The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary GuideIn this episode you will hear:The underestimated impact of leadership on team morale and engagementThe critical role of the Second Opinion Service in improving recruitment outcomesStrategies for successful onboarding and reducing turnoverThe relevance of stress sensitivity in high-pressure work environments like JapanThe future of strategic HR and how AI could reshape candidate assessmentAbout Brent:Brent Conkle is the President and CEO of Global Leadership Solutions Co., Ltd., bringing over 25 years of global experience in HR leadership, consulting, talent acquisition, and executive coaching across North America, Europe, and Asia. A certified HR professional and executive, leadership, and career coach, Brent is known for helping leaders cut through complexity, lead transformational change, and elevate performance with a strong focus on measurable ROI and long-term impact.Throughout his career, Brent has supported startups, corporate turnarounds, and major APAC transformation initiatives, consistently driving sustainable growth by enhancing employee engagement, retention, and organizational performance. His approach centers on developing stronger leaders and building highly engaged, high-performing workplaces.In addition to his role as CEO, Brent has served as a Regional Global Employment Advisor at the U.S. Department of State, where he supported foreign service officers and eligible family members with career strategy and professional development across international postings. He also works as a Transition & Executive Coach with Randstad RiseSmart, guiding professionals through strategic career transitions both within and beyond their organizations.Brent is the co-author of The Practical Leader: A Guide to Creating Highly-Engaged and High-Performing Organizations, offering practical tools and insights for workforce development. His mission is to coach global leaders to achieve outstanding results in their careers while creating organizations that are exceptional places to work.About Dan:Daniel Ring is an experienced Human Resources professional with over 12 years of expertise across Europe and Asia. He has a strong background in strategic HR initiatives, particularly in change management and talent development, and is passionate about leveraging technology to improve workplace practices and enhance employee experiences.In his role as a consultant with Global Leadership Solutions, Daniel works closely with organizations to support leadership development and address challenges such as organizational change and employee engagement. He focuses on equipping leaders with the tools and strategies needed to align people practices with business objectives.Daniel’s career has included roles such as Senior HR Business Partner at Broadridge Financial Solutions and Head of HR at NatWest Markets Japan. In these positions, he helped implement global career frameworks, redesign leadership structures, and streamline HR operations. His regional experience has given him a broad understanding what it takes to deliver for diverse, international organizations.Daniel is committed to helping organizations and their leaders develop effective strategies for building strong teams and achieving sustainable success in today’s evolving business landscape.Connect with Brent:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentconkle/Global Leadership Solutions: https://getglsjapan.com/Connect with Dan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpring/Connect with David Sweet:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejpFacebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasiaInstagram: 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.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Navigating Japan's FinTech Landscape with Pieter Franken

    Navigating Japan's FinTech Landscape with Pieter Franken
    Feb 14 2026

    In this episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet interviews Pieter Franken, a FinTech pioneer and innovator with a rich history in finance, technology, and regulation. Pieter outlines his journey from a trainee scientist in Holland to becoming a key figure in Japan's FinTech ecosystem. He shares his experiences and significant contributions, including his roles at Citigroup, Shinsei Bank, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, as well as his co-founding of Safecast, a crucial citizen science project post-Fukushima. The conversation delves into the evolution of FinTech globally and in Japan, discussing the impact of cloud computing, APIs, and mobile technology, as well as governmental roles in stimulating innovation. Pieter also talks about the upcoming Global Finance and Technology Network Forum (GFTN) in Tokyo, highlighting its importance for FinTech discussion and networking. Additionally, he touches upon the complexity of integrating new technologies into human systems and stresses the need for adaptive, human-centric innovations.

    The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide


    In this episode you will hear:

    1. Pieter Franken's journey from Holland to Japan and his pivotal role in the FinTech industry
    2. The evolution of Japan's startup ecosystem and cultural shifts in recent decades
    3. The role and impact of cloud computing and mobile technology in FinTech's growth
    4. The establishment of Safecast and its significance in citizen science and data transparency
    5. The importance and anticipation of the Global Finance and Technology Network Forum in fostering industry dialogue and innovation


    About Pieter:

    Pieter is a fintech pioneer, deep-tech innovator, and builder with over three decades at the intersection of finance, technology, regulation, and public good.

    He’s held senior leadership roles at institutions like Citigroup, Shinsei Bank, Monex, and UnionDigital Bank; advised regulators including the Monetary Authority of Singapore; and helped build global platforms focused on financial inclusion, open data, and responsible innovation. He’s also a co-founder of Safecast, one of the most influential citizen-science projects in the world, and a driving force behind Japan’s fintech ecosystem through Elevandi and the Japan Fintech Festival.


    Connect with Pieter:

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

    GFTN Japan: http://gftn.co/japan

    GFTN Forum[Feb 24-27th 2026]: https://gftnforum.jp/?utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=google&utm_term=gftn%20japan&utm_content=branded-insights-learning&utm_campaign=gfj_2026_jp_search_traffic_280126&_gl=1*1uvuohl*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7rDMBhCjARIsAGDBuEBY1bz21ngvAnJufNmlwr_Kxe4Ku6uz1R5I6beSQvq5Qiv7h2aZCHkaAmI3EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAqxUcYm4HHIROSay5zHtoL9JyGrmm



    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.
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
No reviews yet