Hajime Baba, Founder & CEO“Clareza means clarity or clearness in Portuguese. Our vision is to become the source of clarity and clearness for global organizations to manage their local business,” says Hajime Baba, founder and CEO, Clareza Partners.
Global vs. Local Challenges in Japan
Japan’s unique cultural and business environment requires a nuanced approach for global organizations. Bridging the gap between global and local cultures is crucial for success in key positions. Many global interim talent providers lack expertise specific to Japan, while local providers may lack global experience. Clareza Partners’ strength lies in covering both global and local needs.
The biggest hurdle for global companies in Japan is the language barrier. Japan has been ranked #80 among 111 countries in the 2022 EF English Proficiency Index, with a continuing downward trend from #30 out of 70 in 2015 and #53 out of 100 in 2019. Since global companies usually require fluency in English for their key positions, they will inevitably have to seek talent from a significantly smaller pool. This becomes even more challenging if the company is looking for talent with a specialized niche skill.
The complexity of the situation is heightened by the employees’ resistance to job changes. The norm of starting one’s career with a company as a recent graduate and remaining with that same employer until retirement is deeply ingrained in Japan. In traditional Japanese firms, rewarding long-term commitment is strongly emphasized, fostering hesitancy among individuals, particularly those aged 35 and above, to explore new professional opportunities.
Clareza Partners’ Response to Contemporary Challenges
Clareza Partners’ goal is not only to fill immediate gaps but also to ensure that employees possess the skills essential for the next era. It specializes in providing interim talent with exceptional skills and experience to fulfil the needs of global organizations in Japan.
“Our rigorous selection process ensures that interim talents possess not only a stellar professional history but also exhibit adaptability, flexibility, and leadership acumen,” says Baba.
Proficiency in both Japanese and English is a key requirement, as interim talent needs to be multilingual for effective communication in diverse business settings. Candidates must also be open to new environments and be willing to learn, as success in dynamic organizational contexts requires the ability to influence and lead through change.
Professional leadership qualities are highly valued, with an emphasis on being proactive, results-driven, and accountable. Interim talent should also foster team spirit and inclusivity, demonstrating respect for others in interactions and collaborative efforts. While filtering candidates, Clareza Partners focuses on all these parameters to provide clients with the best talent.
Clareza Means Clarity Or Clearness In Portuguese. Our Vision Is To Become The Source Of Clarity And Clearness For Global Organizations To Manage Their Local Business
Clareza Partners operates with a distinct fee structure compared to conventional recruitment methods. While recruitment agencies prioritize getting a candidate hired, the subsequent success or failure of the talent lies entirely with the client, often leading to significant costs and time in case of underperformance. Clareza Partners prioritizes quality in its operations. Distinguishing itself from recruitment agencies or interim providers compensated upon talent introduction, the company relies on ongoing payments without initial fees. Consequently, if interim talent fails to deliver substantial value, clients can cancel contracts.
To ensure interim talent is equipped for success, Clareza Partners invests in engagement and empowerment initiatives. The company offers coaching to interim talent engaged in client assignments.
Clareza Partners allows clients to transition interim talent to permanent staff after a minimum of three months without incurring additional recruitment fees. This arrangement provides clients with the opportunity to assess performance before making a permanent offer, making interim talent a strategic and effective pathway to permanent staffing.
Real-world Impact
Its capabilities can be best highlighted through a client success story where a client facing ongoing turnovers in their HR team found a timely and effective solution through Clareza Partners’ interim talent services. Faced with the challenge of concentrating on existing staff to prevent further turnovers, the client urgently required an experienced HR Business Partner (HRBP) who could start immediately.
Its interim talent seamlessly assumed the role of HRBP, supporting the client’s business division and actively engaging in hiring activities to fill the open positions within the team. Throughout the four-month engagement period, its interim talent was pivotal in helping the client’s HR team navigate the crisis. By ensuring the continuity of operations and securing replacements for the team, Clareza Partners’ interim talent contributed to overcoming the challenges and stabilizing the client’s HR functions.
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Our rigorous selection process ensures that interim talents possess not only a stellar professional history but also exhibit adaptability, flexibility, and leadership acumen
In a different scenario, it supported a major automotive parts manufacturer through a challenging period characterized by employee disengagement and turnover. By promptly appointing an interim Head of Corporate Communications, a role that had been unfilled for over 6 months, the client bolstered internal communication and fostered better engagement across different levels within the company.
Currently focused on providing interim talent in Japan, the company has plans to expand into other countries in the APAC region. This expansion aims to cater to the diverse needs of global companies requiring talent with both global and local capabilities.
Furthermore, Clareza Partners is exploring the concept of providing interim talent in the form of a ‘Team’. This innovative approach would allow clients entering the Japanese market to access a group of interim professionals capable of handling various tasks during the initial stages of market entry.
Clareza Partners has positioned itself as a pioneer in the evolving Japanese job market. With a commitment to clarity, innovation, and quality, it has challenged traditional norms and positioned itself as a strategic partner for global organizations seeking effective and adaptable talent solutions.
