Nemiwashi

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Please improve this article if you can. (November 2007)

Nemiwashi means to prepare the root to grow, and is a Japanese gardening term that is also applied to Japanese business meeting etiquette. In order for a transformational innovative idea to gain the support of Japanese executives, a series of pre-meetings (mostly 1 on 1) are conducted prior to the main group meeting where the final decision is made.

This process is called nemiwashi. Nemiwashi as a practice was instituted as a result of the Japanese culture, and the fact that it is considered bad form to say no in a forum in order to avoid from causing embarrassment to yourself or a peer.

The nemiwashi process is an effective process an any organization where consensus must first be made with many stakeholders prior to the final decision being made. It is a sophisticated form of lobbying, and is a valuable skill to have in both politics as well as in most corporate America organizations.

In Japanese organizations, decisions are made before the group meets. Individuals may persuade each other in one-on-one meetings. This process insures that the meeting will proceed harmoniously. When the group meets, the ideas may be developed further, but never in a competitive manner. Collectivists emphasize process over outcome. It is important to consult with different constituencies before making a decision. In Japan this process is called nemiwashi.

The Japanese have a technique known as “nemiwashi” literally “digging round the roots”. They are past masters at the art of patient lobbying, securing the support of all parties individually, before the proposition reaches the formal stage of the conference table.