Naoto Narita, CEOThe significance of effective sales training and management strategies cannot be overstated in modern business, where competition is fierce and consumer expectations are constantly evolving. Leading the charge in Japan for sales trading is Japan Blue Consulting, a firm that provides top-notch education, training, and consulting services for retail, service, and visitor sales. Under the guidance of its CEO, Naoto Narita, the consultancy helps its clients excel in all sales facets through innovation, skill enhancement, and strategic store construction.
Narita’s career trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary. From being a top part-time sales representative at Japan’s largest shoe chain to becoming a sales powerhouse, his journey has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence. This was showcased when he remarkably generated sales of 100 million yen within just seven months at a computer speciality store. He authored 15 business books on hospitality, customer service, sales, and management in Japan, as well as two books in Korea. His advanced language proficiency has enabled him to create engaging training materials and offer insightful consulting services. However, Narita’s passion for teaching and consulting paved the way for the establishment of Japan Blue Consulting.
“Unlike traditional firms, where trainers and planners often operate in silos, we take a holistic approach and leverage my extensive sales background to develop comprehensive training materials and consulting strategies,” says Narita. He regularly visits his clients’ stores to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and demands, allowing him to constantly refine and enhance his sales techniques. He believes that addressing challenges head-on gives him valuable insight, knowledge, and skills.
Proven Strategies for Sales Excellence and Customer Satisfaction
Japan Blue Consulting’s training and consulting services are designed to target key areas in sales and management, enhancing the sales team’s capabilities to boost performance significantly. The company focuses on cultivating a culture of exceptional customer service on the sales floor, fostering an environment for successful business engagements. By using refined selling techniques, Japan Blue Consulting enhances the efficacy of the sales force in maximizing profits. The firm is also adept at developing strategies to increase customer loyalty and retention, which are crucial to sustained success. The firm uses platforms like Google My Business to facilitate brand promotion and attract new clients. Simultaneously, the company focuses on improving management skills to reduce employee turnover and increase staff motivation, ensuring organizational resilience and growth. Through these strategic initiatives, Japan Blue Consulting enables businesses to thrive in the dynamic market.
For over 17 years, Narita has assisted over 300 companies across various sectors, including many Fortune 500 corporations. His clients have consistently experienced remarkable growth with record sales and profits even amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Japan Blue Consulting provides sales training primarily for brick-and-mortar businesses. Under Narita’s leadership, the company empowers top sales professionals to create and deliver training content, fostering seamless communication and compelling, first-hand knowledge. These training initiatives primarily focus on increasing the average customer spending, maintaining customer retention, and enhancing the closing rate.
The firm focuses on creating an environment that puts customers at ease. This involves being professional in speech and attire to foster a welcoming atmosphere, in addition to keeping stores clean, maintaining an inviting ambience, and ensuring the staff greets customers warmly. The firm aims to enhance the overall customer experience by eliminating potential stressors. Japan Blue Consulting then conducts a comprehensive strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, based on which it develops a sales process that capitalizes on the unique strengths of the store and its personnel. These training initiatives encompass monthly classroom sessions and on-the-job training to constantly refine their sales techniques. Japan Blue Consulting also aids in transforming the floor into an area optimized for sales to elevate the store’s appeal. The ultimate goal is to encourage positive word-of-mouth referrals and attract new customers to the business. Unlike traditional firms, where trainers and planners often operate in silos, we take a holistic approach and leverage my extensive sales background to develop comprehensive training materials and consulting strategies
The Path to Empowering Businesses in Asia
Japan Blue Consulting is undergoing a strategic shift, focusing on attracting new customers by harnessing the power of Google Business Profiles. Though unconventional for a sales training company, it is pivotal for effective store management and helps clients overcome the cost-prohibitive nature of traditional advertising practices. For instance, 7,000 reviews and 5.0 points were earned by the original perfume store in Nagoya, Japan. The Harajuku sneaker store is the Harajuku leader with 3,500 currently, far exceeding the nearby Nike Harajuku store (2,700). Similar success stories were seen at a perfume store and a sneaker brand’s flagship store in Nagoya, Japan. Positive word-of-mouth referrals further bolstered staff morale, a significant advantage in Japan’s tight labor market. In addition, using Google Business Profiles, the firm has helped stores reduce recruiting costs, as job seekers increasingly rely on referrals.
Narita emphasizes, “We aim to further enhance our educational content’s effectiveness by expanding into Asian markets and collaborating with companies that can benefit from these materials.” A home improvement center that previously operated at a yearly loss of 200 million yen with annual sales of 23 billion yen turned profitable within two months of consulting and got featured in a prominent magazine.
Similarly, an automobile dealership experienced remarkable growth, with sales tripling and profits increasing by 25 times in approximately five years.
Looking ahead, Japan Blue Consulting intends to expand its scope beyond sales training to encompass store management. The firm’s strategy involves opening stores in various Asian countries and implementing a sales training system that merges Japan’s high-quality customer service with Narita’s expertise in sales. It also intends to conduct most of the training sessions for local staff online, focusing on equipping them with the necessary skills. Through delivering exceptional service in each country, Japan Blue Consulting aims to become Asia’s premier sales training company by exporting its comprehensive sales and store management content. The firm has finalized its education system through collaboration with a domestic company. Subsequently, it will collaborate with existing store owners to implement its educational content, aiming for significant success.
Under Naoto Narita’s leadership, Japan Blue Consulting continues to set new benchmarks for success, empowering businesses to thrive in the dynamic market landscape. As businesses navigate the complexities of an ever-changing world, the firm remains a trusted partner, offering expertise, innovation, and results-driven solutions.
