CDS News/Executive Search and Job Information in Tokyo Japan

Wharton MBA - Tokyo Trek, March 2000

A group of Wharton MBA's visited Tokyo in March, 2000 to better understand e-business and VC opportunities in Japan. CDS Consulting was invited to address the group on e-business trends, venture capital, and local employment opportunities.

The Wharton group was made up mainly of Japanese nationals, and a number of interesting topics were discussed, including:

1. How to properly assess a pre-IPO business and the critical importance of the 'X' factor ( key managers)
2. The move towards higher incentive and stock option based incentives plans
3. The long term sustainability of on-line shopping businesses in Japan (B to C)
4. The responsibility of pre-IPO managers to properly handle cash injections they receive (the need for proper due dilligence)
5. Too much VC money chasing too few good deals locally; 6) Western VC companies vs the 'new' players from Japan (oftbank, Hikari Tsushin, etc.)

CDS also facilitated a presentation by Koji Sakate, Managing Director of iQ3, a pre-IPO business built around the creation of a huge educationportal in Japan.