Welcome to 2026: How Delphi Improved the Member Experience in 2025
As we begin 2026, we want to take a moment to thank our members for another year of thoughtful engagement, sharp conversations, and continued trust in The Delphi Network.
Each year, we make small, deliberate upgrades behind the scenes. These are not changes for novelty’s sake, but practical experiments designed to improve how Delphi operates and how members experience the network. Just as importantly, when something works well for us, we believe in communicating that learning clearly, so members can apply similar tools, systems, and practices within their own organisations.
2025 was a strong example of this approach in action.
Improving the Experience Without Changing the Character
Building audience segments.
Throughout 2025, The Delphi Network focused on strengthening the operational foundations that support our events, communications, and member engagement. These efforts were intentionally understated. The aim was not visibility, but reliability, clarity, and consistency.
A clear outcome of this work was a 665% increase in website traffic, driven by improved structure, clearer messaging, and better alignment between Delphi’s digital presence and the reality of what the network offers. More importantly, this growth brought better-informed members, partners, and collaborators into the network, improving the quality of engagement rather than simply increasing volume.
Systems That Serve Members First
In 2025, Delphi implemented a number of operational upgrades designed to reduce friction for members and staff alike. These included modernising payment workflows and improving the systems that support event administration and communication.
The intent was straightforward: fewer manual steps, fewer points of confusion, and more time spent on conversations, insight, and relationships. As part of this work, Delphi collaborated with its IT advisor, Matt Ketchum (MKUltraman), to design and implement systems that reflect international best practice while remaining aligned with Delphi’s culture and standards.
We highlight this not because the tools themselves are remarkable, but because many members face similar challenges in their own organisations. The same kinds of upgrades that improved Delphi’s operations are often directly transferable to businesses operating in complex, international environments.
Event Infrastructure That Enables Better Outcomes
Delphi’s events remain at the centre of the network, and 2025 saw meaningful improvements to the infrastructure that supports them. The emphasis was on making events easier to run, more predictable to manage, and more enjoyable to attend, without altering their character or selectivity.
These improvements were guided by a simple principle: the best event systems are the ones participants barely notice, because everything works as expected.
Event Management and Smarter Economics
During the year, Delphi refined its event management systems to better support invitations, registrations, approvals, and follow-ups. These changes improved reliability while preserving the discretion and quality control that define the Delphi experience.
At the same time, Delphi strengthened the economic foundations of its events through improved venue and hospitality arrangements. These changes enhanced the guest experience while making events more sustainable and predictable to deliver over the long term.
Tools That Extend Value Beyond Delphi Events
In 2025, Delphi also introduced tools designed to extend the value of the network beyond its own calendar. These initiatives reflect a broader understanding of Delphi’s mission: facilitating the real-world business practice of our members, not only hosting high-quality events.
The focus was on simple structures that deliver disproportionate value when shared across a trusted network.
The Delphi Select Map
One such initiative was the rollout of the Delphi Select map. Simple in structure, it has already proven extremely valuable in practice.
Delphi Select provides members with vetted recommendations for cafés, restaurants, bars, and hotels across Japan. These recommendations are contributed by Delphi staff and members who understand what it means to host clients, lead teams, and conduct business well. If you ever find yourself unsure where to take a client or host a dinner, Delphi Select exists so you do not have to start from scratch.
The Soft Launch of Delphi Nexus
We also soft-launched Delphi Nexus, a repository for events that Delphi members and associates are hosting, attending, or speaking at.
While Delphi’s own events remain the cornerstone of the network, a major part of our mission is supporting members’ broader business activity. That often includes non-Delphi events that are relevant, well-run, and worth attending. Delphi Nexus exists to surface these opportunities, increase visibility for member initiatives, and reinforce the idea that Delphi’s value extends well beyond any single programme.
Expanding Membership to Better Serve the Network
In 2025, Delphi also refined its membership structure to better reflect how people actually engage with the network at different stages of their professional journey. Rather than forcing a single model, we introduced additional tiers designed to meet members where they are, without diluting standards or expectations.
These changes were driven by observation and feedback, and both proved to be strong additions to the network.
New Membership Tiers for Different Modes of Engagement
We introduced a Networking tier for those interested in attending a few cocktails per year and staying connected, without the need for more extensive services or commitments. This tier allows for lighter-touch participation while maintaining access to Delphi’s conversations and community.
We also launched a Founders tier, created specifically for founders operating in Japan. We observed that many founders, despite their experience, often lack vetted resources, established guidance, or a trusted peer context. This tier was designed to address that gap by providing access, perspective, and support tailored to the realities founders face on the ground.
Both tiers were well received, and their success reinforced the importance of structured flexibility within the network. We look forward to continuing and refining these services as we move into the new year.
To that end, we also strengthened partnerships that support adjacent communities aligned with Delphi’s values and mission.
Partnerships That Reflect Shared Values
Alongside internal improvements, 2025 also saw Delphi deepen its external relationships in ways that align with the network’s ethos and long-term outlook. These partnerships are chosen carefully, with an emphasis on shared standards rather than scale.
Sponsorship With Startup Lady
In 2025, The Delphi Network began its official sponsorship relationship with Startup Lady.
This sponsorship reflects a shared commitment to supporting internationally minded founders and operators building businesses in Japan. It creates a bridge between Delphi’s executive-level conversations and earlier-stage entrepreneurial communities navigating cross-border and cultural complexity.
The relationship with Startup Lady allows Delphi to contribute perspective and experience while remaining true to its core identity, and to support a broader ecosystem without diluting the standards that define the network.
Collaboration With the Institute of Directors (UK)
In 2025, The Delphi Network also strengthened its collaboration with the Institute of Directors (IoD), reinforcing ties with one of the UK’s most established professional bodies for directors and senior leaders.
This collaboration supports knowledge exchange between executives operating in Japan and their counterparts in the UK, particularly around governance, leadership practice, and operating across borders. It reflects a shared emphasis on standards, responsibility, and long-term thinking rather than short-term outcomes.
For Delphi members, the relationship broadens access to international perspective and reinforces the network’s position as a bridge between Japan-based leadership and global business practice.
Engagement With China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)
Delphi also continued to build its relationship with China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai, one of Asia’s leading international business schools.
This engagement reflects Delphi’s interest in fostering informed dialogue across regions that are deeply interconnected but often poorly understood in practice. By maintaining links with CEIBS, Delphi supports exposure to Chinese and European business thinking, academic insight, and executive education perspectives that are highly relevant to members operating across Asia.
Together, these collaborations reinforce Delphi’s commitment to thoughtful international engagement, grounded expertise, and practical relevance for members navigating complex global environments.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2026, Delphi’s approach remains consistent. We experiment carefully, upgrade deliberately, and communicate what works.
The systems and tools we implement are not just internal conveniences. They are practical case studies in how clear structure, modern tools, and thoughtful execution can improve real business practice. When those lessons are transferable, we believe they are worth sharing.
The outcomes belong to The Delphi Network. We look forward to another year of strong relationships, sharp insight, and practical progress together.
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026.
The Power of The Network
Members of The Delphi Network have access to the collective knowledge of hundreds of experienced executives working in Japan, and to modern infrastructure that facilitates best practice.
If you’re in need of a professional community that places candor, connection, and confidentiality above all else, get in touch.