Brian Szepkouski brings a wealth of international experience to his clients. He specializes in cross-cultural communications, international executive development, and strategic planning for global business expansion for companies engaged in or developing international business. He also advises corporations and law firms on issues pertaining to intercultural management, international HR practices and internal training curricula. And, he coaches executives on protocol, presentations and negotiations for the international arena.

Brian has a Master's degree in International Education and Human Resource Development from George Washington University and a B.A. in Foreign Languages (German, Japanese and Spanish) from the University of Redlands (CA). He furthered his knowledge of languages and linguistics with intensive courses at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and the University of North Dakota. As a Rotary Foundation Scholar in Japan, he conducted research in comparative education at Tokyo University. Besides Japan, Brian has lived in Mexico as well. Brian is fluent in Japanese and has published articles (both in English and Japanese) about managing cultural differences. He also addresses audiences about emerging trends in Japan.

Upon returning to the U.S., Brian served as a bilingual associate for Europ Assistance, a Paris-based firm during its start-up phase in the U.S. He served as the public relations manager and, later, as the chief representative of the New York office, which he established, for Daido-Hoxan Inc., a Japanese multinational whose core business is industrial and medical gases. At DHI, he assisted with the formation of joint ventures and intercultural negotiations related to product modification.

Brian also served as the deputy director of public affairs at the Japan Society in New York and as the director of international public relations for Tiffany & Co. He is a member of the board of directors for the Japan-America Student Conference, Inc., and is an active member of American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) and the Society for International Education Training & Research (SIETAR).

Brian is available for:

• cross-cultural communications programs
• doing business with Japan workshops and coaching
• international negotiations seminars
• keynotes and breakout sessions on emerging trends in Japan
• executive coaching in protocol, presentation skills and negotiating in the international arena