Young Professionals to Watch: James Greatrick
The FGS Global corporate communications consultant shares he has benefited from ACCJ connections, mentorship, and events.
The Young Professionals Forum (YPF) serves as a platform to connect working professionals aged 35 and under within the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ). In this installment of our Young Professionals to Watch series, we talk to James Greatrick, senior associate at FGS Global, about the real-life lessons he has learned by participating in YPF events, which go beyond traditional networking to give young professionals opportunities to learn directly from senior ACCJ members in intimate settings.
What do you do at FGS Global?
I work as a corporate communications consultant for FGS Global, helping companies navigate Japan’s unique communications landscape. My day-to-day involves working with leading companies—both Japanese and international—to develop narratives, messaging, and strategies that can resonate with a wide array of stakeholders, be it media, investors, C-suite executives, employees, the general public, or, in many cases, all of the above.
What is the most memorable project you have worked on? How did being a young professional make a difference?
While most client projects are confidential, we recently supported a major US company’s entry into the Japan market by developing their local narrative strategy. Our team led stakeholder interviews across Japan and the United States to craft messaging that balanced local market needs with global brand consistency, contributing to a widely successful market entry.
For me, growing as a young professional has been about recognizing the unique strengths my position gives me, whether it is offering a unique perspective on a certain issue, serving as a mentor to junior team members, or recognizing the importance of digital and new media in corporate communications. While there will always be doubts when comparing your knowledge with that of industry veterans who have decades of experience, having the confidence to recognize when your unique skill set or perspective can be valuable is crucial.
How does FGS Global empower young professionals?
The best part of working at FGS Global has been being able to develop my career alongside the growth of our Tokyo office. There is an atmosphere of momentum that permeates our daily work, and we are regularly being brought into new projects or faced with new and exciting challenges. Being part of an agile and growing team has empowered me to develop specialized expertise in areas that I am passionate about, such as tech and digital communications. We are constantly on the lookout for driven young professionals in Tokyo, and I cannot think of a better place to kick-start a career in corporate communications.
Do you have a memorable moment from a YPF or ACCJ event?
A particularly memorable experience was the CEO Forum and Young Professionals reverse mentoring event, in which we sat down with ACCJ business leaders for interesting—and sometimes frank—conversations about the ways in which Japanese companies can empower young professionals. The event flipped the script on typical interactions between young professionals and senior executives, facilitating a variety of memorable conversations on topics such as new technology, work–life balance, professional development, and employee retention.
What are your expectations for the YPF and the ACCJ?
I hope that young professionals can be more involved in the ACCJ at all levels. The learning experiences and connections I have made at YPF and ACCJ events have been invaluable to my personal and professional development, and I strongly encourage ACCJ members at all levels to invite their junior employees to take part in upcoming events. You never know when a connection made at an ACCJ event could lead to new business opportunities!
