We’re thrilled to kick off the Asia AIM Podcast, your go-to series for bold insights and practical strategies from the front lines of B2B marketing in Japan and across the Asia-Pacific region.

In this first episode, AIM B2B CEO Robert Heldt and COO Sam Bird dive into the realities of what it takes to localize effectively, build trust in nuanced markets such as Japan and scale demand generation across APAC.

You’ll get an inside look at AIM’s proprietary Adapt–Implement–Maximize framework, plus real-world stories from global brands that have succeeded (and stumbled) while navigating cultural nuance, buyer psychology and market complexity.

Listen in for:

• Biggest localization mistakes global brands make—and how to avoid them
  
• Why building trust and consensus (nemawashi) is essential in Japan
  
• Case study of a clean-energy launch that hit media and DOOH success
  
• Truth about full-funnel strategy and what’s working now in B2B
  
• Final takeaways, Robert and Sam’s recommended reads on Japan and APAC markets and must-know cultural concepts such as kaizen
  

Key Takeaways:

• Stop Translating, Start Localizing: True market fit in Asia goes deeper than language, it’s about culturally aligned UX and messaging.
  
• Trust Comes First: Relationship-building and stakeholder consensus drive long-term wins in Japan.
  
• Data Leads Strategy: Adapt–Implement–Maximize ensures every campaign is grounded in KPIs, buyer behavior and continuous optimization.
  
• Go Multichannel: Great content is nothing without smart distribution tailored to the local buyer journey.
  
• Think Kaizen: Launch fast, learn fast and scale strategically in complex markets.
  

This episode is your front-row seat to smarter, sharper marketing in Japan and beyond.

Watch or listen to Episode 1 now:

• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• YouTube

Stay tuned and subscribe to the Asia AIM Podcast to keep leveling up your B2B game across borders!