Now and Zen

Paul Kraft: Gummy Bear President Japan

Everything you ever wanted to know about the grocery & convenience store business in Japan with former Haribo Japan President Paul Craft. We discuss the production of a localized Haribo TV commercial with real Sumo wrestlers, inside info on distribution and sales strategies at CVS and grocery stores, his successful experiences earning "brand legitimacy," packaging localization advice and tactics, and why chewing gum has lost popularity, not just in Japan but around the world.

Japan’s Top Business Interviews with Dr. Greg Story

Paul Kraft, Country Manager, HARIBO Japan: Episode #74 Japan's Top Business Interviews

Upon arriving in Japan to head the market entry of Starbucks into Japan, Mr. Kraft experienced many culture shocks and made many of the “classic mistakes.” He was first surprised by the way meetings were run in Japan, in which discussions could take hours with no agenda. Mr. Kraft also realized his business partners’ priorities differed from his American counterparts. Mr. Kraft further notes the challenge of implementing new ideas as Japanese people tend to be risk-averse and rely on past case studies.

Life as a . . .

EP 64: “Life as a Country Manager for Haribo Japan”

Paul Kraft is the Japan Country Manager for Haribo a German confectionary company that famously gave the world the gift of gummy bears or Goldbears as officially labelled. Originally from Minnesota, USA, Paul began his career in brand management, working with frozen pizza and dessert categories, consumer insights, and M&A roles. He then relocated to Japan and headed the packaged goods business for Starbucks in Japan & Korea.