In this episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet interviews Paul Beddie, a global business development executive and sustainability advocate with a 30-year career. Paul shares his accidental journey to Japan and his extensive experience working across various sectors, including management consulting and software. He provides insights on the challenges and nuances of leadership in Japan, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and adapting to cultural contexts. The discussion also delves into sustainability, where Paul highlights the need for a holistic approach in businesses and the urgent shift required from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Despite the complexities, Paul remains optimistic about the potential for profitability through sustainable practices.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

1. How Paul pioneered his path from international affairs to global business leadership
2. What foreign leaders often misunderstand about Japan's business environment
3. Challenges and opportunities in promoting corporate sustainability within Japanese and global contexts
4. The critical importance of relationship building in Japan's business culture
5. The impact of personal belief and responsibility in achieving successful career outcomes

About Paul:

Paul is a global business development executive, a sustainability champion, and one of those rare leaders who can really talk through a purpose and proposal without sounding dull.

He's got a great 30 year career. He's delivered more than a hundred million in profit and helped create over a billion dollars in value. With leading multicultural teams across four continents. He's advised CXOs and boards on digital transformation, energy transition, and global expansion. He's launched businesses in China.

He's guided smart city innovation and taught some of Japan's top universities and built relationships at the highest levels of industry. And at his core, Paul is a connector of people, ideas and possibilities, and he carries a simple North Star: do the right thing.

Connect with Paul:

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

The FutureMax Institute: https://www.futuremaxinstitute.com/

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...

Welcome to the Year of the Horse, and to another episode of the FocusCore podcast. Kicking off 2026, David Sweet reflects on the last year for FocusCore. He discusses some highlights and some insights into what the organization has seen happen over 2025. David also predicts what he thinks might happen in 2026 in the recruitment and talent acquisition landscape in Japan.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: INSERT Short Link => Attribution link Salary guide 202

In this episode you will hear:

1. The impact of FocusCore becoming a partner with IIC Partners for global recruitment solutions.
2. Key insights from Salary Guide 2026, highlighting the increasing importance of competitive salaries.
3. Strategies for SMEs in Japan to compete in talent acquisition.
4. The growing demand for CFOs with cross-border expertise.
5. How companies are leveraging interim executives for strategic advantage.
6. The impact of AI and tech advancements in Japan

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.

As we step into the New Year and take a moment to reset after the holiday season, this episode marks the final Winter re-release before we return with brand-new content.

To start the year on a thoughtful note, we’re revisiting one of this year’s most popular episodes, perfect to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea as you reflect on the year that’s passed and look ahead to what’s next, just like David will be.

Thank you for being with us through the Winter re-releases, and we’ll see you very soon with new episodes in the year ahead.

In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews Karsten Michaelis, CEO for North Asia and President of DHL Global Forwarding Japan. Karsten shares his extensive experience in the logistics industry, with a particular focus on his leadership journey across various Asian countries, including Japan. He discusses the unique challenges and strategies involved in managing teams in Japan, the importance of adapting to local cultures while maintaining core management principles, and the necessity of bridging the gap between headquarters and local expectations. Additionally, Karsten touches on fostering innovation, sustainability efforts at DHL, and the evolving landscape of logistics, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation provides valuable insights into the complexities of global logistics and effective leadership in a multicultural environment.

The 2026 FocusCore Salary Guide is here: 2026 Salary Guide

In this episode you will hear:

1. Karsten's strategies for adapting leadership approaches across different cultures
2. The importance of understanding and bridging HQ and local expectations in Japan
3. Insights into fostering innovation and responsive leadership within a global organization
4. How DHL is leveraging digital tools and AI to drive operational excellence
5. Sustainable business practices and the future of logistics in a carbon-neutral world
6. Karsten's personal reflections on motivation and leadership development in the logistics industry

About Karsten:

Currently the CEO North Asia and President/Representative Director of DHL Global Forwarding Japan, Karsten is responsible for the overall strategy and development of our business in Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Philippines, which encompasses air- and oceanfreight, customs clearance, industrial projects, ocean bulk, motorsports as well as some warehouse activities.

Karsten brings over two decades of forwarding experience with him which began in Germany in 1996. Since 2002, he has been working in Asia Pacific with postings in Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Australia and Singapore. Prior to his current role, Karsten held several positions with DHL Global Forwarding, heading the oceanfreight team in Asia Pacific he was responsible for the development of the ocean freight business spanning 21 countries across Asia Pacific.

Karsten graduated with Honors in Business and Management Studies from Oxford Brookes University. He currently sits on the Asia Pacific Management Board for DHL Global Forwarding and is based in Tokyo.

Connect with Karsten:

LinkedIn: