Cherry Blossom Time and Networking

As a sleepy Spring sun set over Tokyo and I headed for Haneda airport, I reflected on how off-the-charts-awesome Mackrell International's emerging leaders are...

I've come to expect their energy and intelligence, their fearlessness and their hunger to learn, but I was astounded by their show of honesty and vulnerability to make strides forward.

This was the most international 'next generation' group of lawyers MI has ever seen.

Tokyo drew a dazzling contingent from Zambia, Uganda, Brazil, the UK, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the US, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, China - and of course, our mighty and magnificent hosts, Kojima Law Offices.

We tackled the rolling snowball of AI and its impact on now and what it might mean in future, we fast-forwarded to when they are all Managing Partners to 'see' what their law firms might look like...

We dug into personalities and predilections, we tore up multi-page pitch documents laden under the weight of their own importance, we focused on how you network more effectively and become the most helpful person in the room, all whilst gunning for your goal...

And we shared some truths - safe in the knowledge that the people in the room had their back and will continue to have their back in future, be it professional or personal.

These are people like you, with shared values, an understanding of our protocol, the 'NAP' and firms like yours, where trust is a given.

Oh yes, and there was blossoming - not just in the meeting, but clouds of it in the trees too; and we ate like Kings and there may have been a sake or two...

And which country had the best karaoke singer(s)? Well....

Keith Heddle, Mackrell International MD