About Nat Yogachandra

Nat Yogachandra worked for Eastman Kodak Company headquartered in Rochester, New York, USA in various marketing and management positions for more than 20 years living in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. He worked as the Worldwide Director for Retail Business for Eastman Kodak Company, before his early retirement. Nat and his wife Deborah with their 14-year old Natascha moved to Thailand in August 2007. Nat was also the Director of Key-Zen International, a cross-cultural communications consultancy firm in New York before moving to Thailand.

Nat is a results-driven leader with track record of maximizing revenue and improving efficiency and productivity. He has successfully led the growth of the retail network of more than 30,000 franchised Kodak Express stores in Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East that generated more than $1 billion sales revenue through innovative marketing programs.

During his assignment in Hong Kong, he developed common regional marketing campaigns (one theme among many cultures) in 11 countries to reduce cost. Also saved more than $5 million by leading specialized product development teams in China and Japan.

His extensive travels have taken him to countries around the world. They have given him intimate knowledge of customs and work ethics while providing him with strong cross-cultural management experiences in dealing with various cultures.

Nat has led cross-cultural project teams in many parts of the globe and has successfully built business and generated increases in market share and revenue. Nat has served as keynote speaker at many international conferences on Globalization and Business Management Strategies in many cities around the world.

Each year, he conducts several workshops and delivers lectures on Marketing and cross-cultural business effectiveness to companies, colleges, educational institutions and private groups on subjects related to closing deals across borders, cross-cultural management, doing business in China, India, Middle East and Eastern European countries, developing cross cultural marketing and advertising campaigns.

He has published several articles and papers on brand management, marketing and social issues in publications in Asia, the Middle East, and the U.S. Nat is also the author of four books on Asian cultures and doing business with various cultural groups in Asia: The Dragon Arises; Mysticism, Money and Madness; The Return of the Dragon, and Beauty, Bureaucrats and Breaking the Silence.

Nat has been named a recipient of the Civic Award by the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce, New York, for his work in advancing better international understanding and participation. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Kodak Burnham Award -- a lifetime achievement award given for excellence and innovation by Eastman Kodak Company. Nat was also named “One of the 25 Most Influential Executives – Visionaries 2002,” by U.S Consumer Good Technology publication. Nat served on the Board of the Catholic Family Center, Rochester, New York.

Nat is active with the Rotary International, a Paul Harris Fellow and a former President of the Fairport Rotary Club, New York. He was a participant in the Biracial Partnerships Program, an initiative by the Mayor of Rochester, New York. Nat, managed a cross cultural program entitled, “Embracing the Difference,” for the Fairport School District in New York. He is also the Founder Director of Hope is Life Foundation (www.hopeislife.org)