HORENSO is an acronym of three Japanese words: HOKOKU (Report), RENRAKU (Contact), and SODAN (Consult).
It is an important practice for effective communication in every department. Japanese companies encourage their staff to practice HORENSO.
HOKOKU is to report detailed progress and results of assigned job to relevant persons.
RENRAKU is to contact relevant persons across departments about the job you handle.
SODAN is to consult with your boss when you have doubt about something or come up with an idea.

Horenso
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (9): Sharing Its Purpose

“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (9) Sharing Its Purpose When Giving Orders Q: During the training session for new staff, I was taught to take notes when receiving instructions and to grasp accurately the contents of instructions. Also I was told to recognize a clear target. I thought this was very important. However, after I was assigned […]

Read more
Horenso
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (8) Sodan: Information Sharing Management

“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (8) Sodan: Information Sharing Management Q: I was advised by my senior colleague that although I am not able to do it now, I should aim to do my job well by engaging those around me. Those around me will be my superiors, seniors, other colleagues, our clients etc. But as I […]

Read more
Horenso
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (7) Japanese Typical Communication Style: Top to Bottom & Management Through Information

Horenso for Non-Japanese Employees (7): Japanese Typical Communication Style: Top to Bottom & Management Through Information Q: Mr. Nishi set up his own company. He makes contact with his clients and manages his schedule and other administration at home. His wife helps him out with these. In his book, Mr. Nishi mentions his wife, “One […]

Read more
Horenso
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (6) Try “Active Listening”

Horenso for Non-Japanese Employees (6): Try “Active Listening” Q: I think that in reporting, contacting, and consulting, the most important point is to convey it accurately in a timely manner and to be understood by the other party. But I have also heard that “active listening” is also important. What does it mean? Does it […]

Read more
Horenso
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (5) Which Is Better, Verbal Reporting or Written Reporting?

Which Is Better, Verbal Reporting or Written Reporting? Q: My friend is of the opinion that reporting should be in documents. I think it is more realistic to change the way of reporting according to the situation. During a training period, we were taught that written reports are better if numbers or matters which likely […]

Read more
Horenso
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (4) How Should You Handle a Direct Instruction Beyond Your Superior

HoRenSo for Non-Japanese Employees (4): How Should You Handle a Direct Instruction Beyond Your Superior Q: The manager was out on business trip yesterday. During his absence, I received instructions directly from the managing director at the headquarters. As they were from the managing director, I stopped regular work and gave priority to the instruction. This […]

Read more
Horenso
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (3) Honest Reporting

“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (3) Honest Reporting Q: I learned about reporting, contacting and consulting during the initial training. I was taught "the conclusion should come first," "use of 5W1H (why, where, when, who, what and how)," "always consult first and not to act independently." Among the teachings, the lecturer made an emphasis on "making an […]

Read more
Horenso
"HoRenSo" for non-Japanese employees (2) Interim Report is Important

"HoRenSo" for non-Japanese employees (2) Interim Report is Important  Which Is Important, a Final Report When the Work Is Completed or an Interim Report? Q: During a training period, I was taught that I start a task when instructed and I report to my boss after I have completed the task. However, when I started work, […]

Read more
Horenso
"HoRenSo" for non-Japanese employees (1) What Is Important in Reporting, Contacting and Consultation Is the Awareness of Objective

"HoRenSo" for Non-Japanese Employees (1): the Awareness of Objective HORENSO is an acronym of three Japanese words: HOKOKU (Report), RENRAKU (Contact), and SODAN (Consult). It is an important practice for effective communication in every department. Japanese companies encourage their staff to practice HORENSO.HOKOKU is to report detailed progress and results of assigned job to relevant […]

Read more