Brandon Jackson spent nearly a decade in Japan playing and coaching rugby for corporate teams including the Ricoh Black Rams. Now, as General Manager of Growth Sectors at the Bank of New Zealand, he helps Kiwi businesses scale internationally, with a particular passion for strengthening the NZ-Japan relationship.
Brandon discusses the promising sectors for NZ-Japan collaboration while offering frank advice about the common pitfalls Kiwi businesses face when entering Japan. Whether you're interested in rugby, business development, or cross-cultural leadership, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who has truly experienced both worlds and believes passionately that Japan deserves more attention from New Zealand.
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In this episode you’ll hear:
- The lessons from a decade playing and coaching rugby in Japan that now drive Brandon’s approach to banking and business development.
- Why New Zealand may have taken Japan for granted as a business partner and how the relationship needs to be reinvigorated
- The critical differences between Kiwi and Japanese business culture
- Practical insights on entering the Japanese market, from understanding distribution networks to building authentic relationships and avoiding the pitfall of thinking you can "just rock up" and succeed.
About Brandon
Brandon Jackson is General Manager of Growth Sectors at the Bank of New Zealand, where he leads national initiatives to help New Zealand’s high-opportunity industries scale, from healthcare and technology to Māori business, export, and Asia-linked ventures.
Before moving into finance, he spent a decade playing and coaching rugby in Japan’s corporate leagues, including for Ricoh and Kurita Water Industries, and completed a Master of Management in Sport Business Administration at Massey University.
He has since built a career that bridges leadership, banking, and sport, developing products that
help NZ businesses grow globally while also serving as a long-time coach and director in New Zealand Rugby.
Links
SYOS Aerospace: https://www.bnz.co.nz/business-banking/business-moments/syos-aerospace-how-a-tauranga-robotics-startup-has-taken-flight-globally
Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3432.html
Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne
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