243 Alberto Fochesato Managing Director of Würth Industry Japan

243 Alberto Fochesato Managing Director of Würth Industry Japan

Author: Dr. Greg Story April 11, 2025 Duration: 1:02:27

Previously Alberto was Sales Director-Industry APA in HoChiMinh, Sales Director-Industry APA Shanghai, Sales Director -South/East China Shanghai, Purchasing and Logistic Assistant Manager CTC Clatronic Padova Italy, HR & Market support Driving Force Asia Shanghai, Timesharing sales Representative Interval International Italy

He has a BA and MA from Universita Ca' Foscari Venezia.

Alberto offers a rich and reflective account of his leadership journey and philosophy in his interview. A linguist by education, Alberto's fascination with languages and cultures led him from Italy to China and eventually to Japan, where he launched Würth's new operation. His path to leadership was shaped by cross-cultural experiences and a strong belief in curiosity, adaptability, and connection.

Alberto emphasizes that leadership, particularly in a multicultural context, requires more than strategic planning—it demands emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and the ability to inspire trust. Establishing Würth Industries Japan from scratch, he understood early on that success hinged not only on business acumen but also on building a resilient and engaged team. He sees recruitment as the foundation of retention: hiring people with the right motivation, and being transparent about both the opportunities and challenges ahead. He believes in aligning individual values with company culture, which for Würth is deeply rooted in gratitude, respect, humility, and curiosity.

To retain talent, Alberto fosters a collaborative culture where trust and open communication are paramount. He instituted monthly one-on-one meetings to ensure employees feel heard and supported, emphasizing empathy and adjusting his management style to better fit the Japanese context. He candidly acknowledges that being direct and fast-paced, as was effective in China, required tempering in Japan to avoid cultural misalignment.

He is a firm believer in creating a shared company spirit. In his view, remote work, while necessary during COVID, can hinder team cohesion. Thus, he encourages regular in-office interaction to cultivate connection and engagement. He values ideation and encourages his team to think creatively within company frameworks—what he calls "making the box bigger" rather than thinking outside it.

Alberto likens leadership to rugby, a sport he once played, emphasizing that success comes not from individual stars but from coordinated teamwork. A leader, he asserts, is like a coach who must assemble diverse talents and create a strategy where everyone's role is vital. His leadership style is marked by humility, a focus on long-term commitment, and a deep desire to help people grow. Above all, he champions leading with authenticity and purpose, building trust not through declarations, but through consistent actions.

 


Hosted by Dr. Greg Story, Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan offers a direct line to the experiences and strategies of executives operating within one of the world's most distinct economies. Each conversation moves beyond theory, focusing on the practical realities of management and leadership as told by those doing the work. You'll hear from a diverse roster of guests, from seasoned leaders at large corporations to innovative founders of growing ventures, all sharing their firsthand accounts of navigating Japan's unique business culture. This podcast provides valuable context on everything from building effective teams and driving organizational change to understanding the nuances of negotiation and customer relations in this market. Whether you're currently leading a team in Japan, planning to expand your business there, or simply curious about how professional success is achieved in a different cultural framework, these interviews deliver grounded insights. Tune in for authentic discussions that cut through the clichés, offering a clearer picture of what it truly takes to succeed. The depth and variety of perspectives make this series a consistently useful resource for anyone engaged with the business landscape in Japan.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan
Podcast Episodes
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282 Joerg Bauer — Representative Director, Heidelberg Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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281 Shu Kimura — Founder, Boulangerie Maison Kayser Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:07
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280 Mika Matsuo - Former CHRO, AIG Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:42
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279 Tomo Kamiya, President PTC Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:05
"I think curiosity is very important. When you're curious about something, you listen." "You have to be at the forefront, not the back. You can't, hide behind and say, 'hey, you know, guys solve it', right?" "When they t…
277 Armel Cahierre — Founder & President, B4F (Brands for France) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:52
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276 Vincent Mathieu - CEO of Carl Zeiss Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:05
"Leadership is staying ahead of change without losing authenticity". "Trust is the real currency of sales, teams, and Japan's business culture". "Zeiss's foundation model is a rare advantage: patient capital reinvested i…
275 Joanne Lin - Senior Director, APAC, Deckers Brands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:02
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