Nicole Wantanabe

Nicole Watanabe brings more than 14 years of cross-cultural business experience to her work as a facilitator and organizational development consultant. She conducts training seminars for Japanese and non-Japanese professionals on multicultural teambuilding, cross-cultural effectiveness and various leadership development topics. In addition, Nicole coaches business executives from the U.S., Europe and Asia through the challenges of cross-cultural adaptation in Japan including labor-management relations, HR strategy, Japanese business etiquette, building strong business relationships with Japanese employees, partners, and government officials.

Nicole is a specialist in communication, with a master’s degree in sociolinguistics from Georgetown University. Her undergraduate degree is from Doshisha University in Kyoto, where she earned a B.A. in Japanese Linguistics and Literature. Nicole’s linguistic training gives her unique insight into how communication builds or blocks relationships. Her fluency in Asian language and culture, and her experience living and working abroad with a number of global organizations gives her the expertise on the impact of culture on business, particularly the hidden aspects of communication so important in Asian business cultures.

In addition, Nicole is trained in Organizational and Systems Coaching, which allows her to assist clients with their challenges in multicultural and global organizations. Nicole also holds certification in the MBTI personality assessment tool.

Nicole’s professional experience includes working as a business liaison for a large Japanese trading firm in New York, facilitating negotiations for joint ventures between New York firms, the Japanese trading firm’s Tokyo headquarters, and the U.S. subsidiary. She has served as a liaison on the front lines of corporate mergers and acquisitions between the U.S. and Japan, supporting clients through the integration process.

Nicole has published several essays on her experiences in cross-cultural issues and is co-author of Presentations Aren’t Scary! Americans Teach You 53 Presentation Secrets with Rochelle Kopp.