MARKETPLACE 3.0 Rewriting the Rules for Borderless Business

In 2010, Japanese entrepreneur Hiroshi Mikitani, founder and CEO of Rakuten, Inc., an electronics firm, announced that the company would conduct business in Japan in English. Some found his decision controversial; others found it groundbreaking. But Mikitani was crystal clear in his vision--a quality that comes alive through the narration of Jun Naito. Naito's intonation creates an easy-to-understand and relatable delivery without the heavy-handed accent that is often used to mimic English as spoken by Asians. Those who enjoy nonfiction titles won't mind the lack of variety in the narration, particularly the repetitive cadence used for emphasis in many sentences. Overall, Naito's brisk pace keeps the story moving while reflecting the businesslike tone of the material. M.R. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2013]