“Today is all about best practices,” said Jeff Perkinson as he welcomed attendees to the 10th Discovery Summit Japan. In true Discovery style, Jeff encouraged participants to meet each other, to share ideas, and to ask questions.
JMP CEO Jon Weisz echoed that message: “Talk to one another,” he said. “Talk about how you’ve applied analytics to your business problems. This is a unique opportunity to talk with different industries in Japan that use analytics.” 
Attendees stood up to meet someone newAttendees stood up to meet someone new
Jon also asked attendees to give feedback too. “Tell our experts: What are your wishes? What do you like about JMP? And what do you not like? Where do you get frustrated?”
The day brought almost 200 JMP users from northern Japan, southern Japan and, of course, the greater Tokyo area. Marketing Manager Atsuko Iono said her favorite part of Discovery is meeting customers and speakers – and making introductions between customers and JMP staff.
The thing she missed most over recent years when Discovery was only online: “Interaction.” There is naturally less communication when you’re not together, she said.
Yuchi Katsumura speaking about engineering efficiencyYuchi Katsumura speaking about engineering efficiencyAmong the many benefits of in-person events, Atsuko said Discovery Summit Japan is a great opportunity for us to meet management and key counterparts from headquarters. And it brings together JMP Japan staff, who often work from different offices and sometimes from their homes.
Atsuko sees the big-picture goal of Discovery as building the relationship that generate and keep business.
When asked what is important about the day’s event, Noriki Inoue, JMP Japan Country Manager, said, “I want JMP employees to be encouraged by listening to the voices of our passionate customers and how they are using JMP.”
And, Noriki said, “I expect sales to take advantage of opportunities to meet customers directly.”
He said there is interest in the new JMP Clinical because it does not need SAS. “I am happy for U.S.-based product management team members to hear customer voices directly at Discovery Summit Japan.” Regarding JMP Live, Noriki said he had been looking forward to the keynote presentation because JMP Live is not yet well-known in the Japanese market.
Michael Scruggs, JMP’s new Senior Vice President of Sales, said: “These events are only as good as the effort the sales teams put into them.” He recommends AEs and Inside Sales Reps reach out to non-users at customer sites. He said there’s power in the message that their organization gets value from JMP and that they, too, could benefit. “Send links to former Discovery presentations,” Michael said. Just a couple of weeks as part of the JMP family, and Michael is already a fan of the Discovery Summit series.
Keep reading about Discovery Summit Japan.
Check out the event agenda.
And see which experts took the stage at this year’s event.
About 200 attendees fill the ballroomAbout 200 attendees fill the ballroom
Audience member had DOE questionsAudience member had DOE questions
Dan Valente talked engineering efficiency.Dan Valente talked engineering efficiency.
Elizabeth Claasen presented mixed modelsElizabeth Claasen presented mixed models
New members of JMP sales staff.New members of JMP sales staff.
Attendees traveled from across Japan.Attendees traveled from across Japan.
Atsuko Iono and Sachiko Ishibashi take visitors from headquarters to lunch.Atsuko Iono and Sachiko Ishibashi take visitors from headquarters to lunch.
JMP staff line the back of the room.JMP staff line the back of the room.
Simultaneous translations keep talks moving quickly.Simultaneous translations keep talks moving quickly.
Standing room only at Discovery Summit Japan.Standing room only at Discovery Summit Japan.
CEO Jon Weisz encourages feedback.CEO Jon Weisz encourages feedback.
