ATTENTION: NEW DATE, SPEAKER for the Innovation Salon: On-Demand Economy 

 
 
Much has been written about the “solopreneur” – the modern virtual entrepreneur. Some call this the gig economy or 1099 economy or on-demand economy. In the US, all employment growth since 2000 has been in the 1099 or part-time sector, and services such as Uber and Lyft are taking advantage of this – essentially, helping part-timers convert their finite hours into precious dollars. Providers can market the skills they have today, such as driving or repair skills; but how do they acquire the skills of tomorrow?
Google has launched two nanodegrees to help novice coders learn Android, including a new Android Basics nanodegree last week!
Since 1990, use of a part-time labor force in Japan has grown, and now some 40% of workers are temp or contract employees. Thanks to the growth in 1099s, the US has now “caught up” with Japan, and there’s opportunity to share best practices between the two countries. Can part-timers in Japan be tapped into by programs like Google’s to unlock new growth and expertise? Can full-time employers in Japan help their employees acquire new and essential skills for the digital economy?
In this program, Google’s Shanea King-Roberson and analyst and author Michi Kaifu of Enotech Consulting share their insights on providing essential skills for the on-demand economy, and how that can unlock growth in Japan.
Innovation Salons are periodic programs set in an intimate and interactive setting that explore current developments in Japan – U.S. innovation and entrepreneurship. These Salons, offered by the Japan Society of Northern California in cooperation with Stanford’s US-Asia Technology Management Center, complement the annual Japan – U.S. Innovation Awards Symposium held at Stanford University.

Speakers: 
Michi Kaifu, CEO, Enotech Consulting
Michi has over twenty years of international business development and consulting experience in the wireless and telecommunications industries.  Michi formed ENOTECH Consulting in 1999, and since then, have advised numerous companies in the U.S. and Japan, in their global strategy. In 2008, her first book “Paradaisu Sakoku” (パラダイス鎖国）was published in Japan. She currently writes a monthly column “Tech Mom’s New Wave from Silicon Valley” on Nikkei Business Online, one of the top Japanese publication for business executives, as well as business trend reports on “WirelessWire News”, wireless industry publication, from time to time. A second book, “The Rulers of Big Data” (ビッグデータの覇者たち), was published in 2013. Previously, Michi worked at a start-up mobile carrier, NTT America, Bain & Co., and Honda Motor.
 
Shanea King-Roberson, Program Manager, Developer Products, Google 
Shanea is a program manager at Google where she spearheads complex technology programs from Android to Internet of Things to Tech Entrepreneurship. She specializes in holistic programs that effectively balance budgets, stakeholder needs and those pesky schedules that never work out in the ever-changing world of technology. Prior to Google Shanea started a digital marketing agency helping women entrepreneurs, speakers and authors build their businesses online. Prior to that Shanea was a program analyst for the State of California. Shanea is extremely passionate about helping young, rockstar women achieve their business and professional goals.
 
Moderator:

Jon Metzler, Founder and President, Blue Field Strategies
Jon provides a variety of US and Asian technology, telecommunications and media clients with business, strategic and regulatory consulting services, including market analysis, due diligence, business development, PR and regulatory advocacy, and executive education. Jon has new business creation experience in print, TV, services, edtech, wireless broadband, wireless location, and events.  Jon is also a Lecturer in the MBA program at the Haas School of Business, and a member of the board of the Japan Society of Northern California.

 

• $15 per person for Japan Society Members & Students w/ ID
• $30 per person for Non-members

Walk-ins:

• $40 per person (cash or credit accepted at the door)

The event venue has been provided by generous support from:

Additional Support provided by the 2015 Innovation Award Symposium Sponsors:

• MUFG UnionBank
• Salesforce
• United Airlines
• Miner Foundation
• Morgan Lewis
• BNY Mellon 
• Deloitte
• Martingale Asset Management
• NTT Data
• Sephora
• Takeda
• TECDIA
• Wells Fargo