Serviced Office client at TOHO Hibiya Promenade Building
Conti Global Consulting, LLC, a company that provides specialized consulting services for the globalization of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), assists SMEs in their globalization through cross-border business development and the use of foreign human resources.
In this interview, we spoke with Elliot Conti, who is passionate about revitalizing Japanese society, about his business, how he started it, and his vision for the future.
“We chose to focus on small and medium enterprises because they are facing labor shortages and a shrinking market and need help growing.”
We are a consulting firm specializing in assisting small and medium-sized Japanese companies with globalization. Specifically, we provide services such as recruiting foreign employees, inbound marketing, exporting their products, importing foreign products, establishing overseas offices, and supporting their entry into the Japanese market. Our current focus is on Japanese companies, but we plan to support foreign companies expand into the Japanese market in the future.
We chose to focus on small and medium enterprises because they are facing labor shortages and a shrinking market and need help growing. We support SMEs aiming for new growth through international expansion and utilization of foreign human resources. For SMEs that lack English language skills, our support aims to help them move forward. Language barriers, availability of reliable partners, and a lack of knowledge of the laws and regulations can be daunting challenges when expanding overseas. The key to success is overcoming these obstacles and utilizing external support and networks.
I started my business because I wanted to contribute to the revitalization of society by solving the problems that Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises face, such as population decline, market stagnation, and declining wages. As a foreigner, I am satisfied with my work and life in Japan, but I know that many foreign students are struggling to find jobs here. Meanwhile, Japanese companies are suffering from a shortage of human resources but lack the knowledge on how to recruit foreign students.
Foreign employees are essential for the future of Japan, and it is important for Japanese companies to employ highly skilled foreigners to expand their business. The strength of Japanese SMEs is their human capital, but they also face the challenge of low productivity due to their traditional organizational culture and seniority system. Our mission is to overcome these challenges and maximize the potential of SMEs.
"Japanese companies excel in their ability to successfully identify issues, but I sometimes feel that there are few companies that have concrete action plans to address these issues and are serious about solving them.”
I want to be a bridge between Japan and other cultures, and I intend to continue to do so. I have a strong desire to be involved in projects that are challenging and interesting for me. For this reason, above all, I would like to work with small and medium-sized companies that are willing to find their issues and proactively try to improve them.
Japanese companies excel in their ability to successfully identify issues, but I sometimes feel that there are few companies that have concrete action plans to address these issues and are serious about solving them. I want to work with companies that are serious about making changes and growing together with their overseas counterparts. I would like to cooperate with these companies to build a better future.
I faced many challenges in the months leading up to starting my business. For example, I felt that information about starting a business was scattered and there were few clear guides, especially regarding procedures. I got the impression that it is difficult to get all the information in one place, because it is necessary to consult with judicial scriveners and tax accountants in detail about establishing a company.
Regarding the order of opening a bank account and establishing a company, I also had a hard time deciding which came first. In some cases, a bank account cannot be opened unless the company is established first, and I felt that clear rules were necessary.
Based on these experiences, I believe that if the complicated procedures and stresses of the early stages of starting a business were more transparent and easier to understand, the hurdles to starting a business would be reduced and the number of startups would increase.
"I have also spent more than a third of my life in Japan, investing lots of time, effort, and money. Therefore, I believe that it is important for Japanese society to be maintained in a good state, and I hope to make even a small contribution through my business.”
My motivation comes from the connections I have made with Japanese people and the opportunities I have been blessed with. When I first came to Japan, I planned to stay for a short period of time, but with the support and encounters with many people, I was able to enter graduate school and gain valuable experience. Through these experiences, I continue to be grateful to those who have supported me during my time here.
I have also spent more than a third of my life in Japan, investing lots of time, effort, and money. Therefore, I believe that it is important for Japanese society to be maintained in a good state, and I hope to make even a small contribution through my business. I also thought about returning home to the United States, but supporting Japanese companies is what I truly want to do right now.
My current projects are mainly focused on training and promoting exchanges with overseas talent in Japan. In the future, however, I would like to expand overseas and build international partnerships with Japanese companies to develop business in foreign markets.
I would like to incorporate a global perspective into my work through new ways of working that transcend borders. My future goal is to shorten the distance between my home country and Japan and become active on a global scale.
"I think the appeal of Servcorp is the comfort. Especially here (at the Toho Hibiya Promenade location), there are seats with a view of the Imperial Palace, so it is a very relaxing place to work.”
You only live once and you will spend a lot of time at work, so it is important that you are truly interested and have the necessary skill set and passion for what you do. I feel that many employees in Japan do not have a true passion for their work, and entrepreneurship offers an opportunity to shift these mindsets. I encourage those who are willing to take the initiative to start their own business.
However, the probability of success in entrepreneurship is not that high. That is why if you are thinking of starting a business, I recommend having a prototype or product and preparing it well before you start.
Even with a detailed plan, it is difficult to predict the market's reaction, so it is important to receive feedback. It is also very important to be able to take action and have certain prospects for your own product. Starting a business is an important life decision and should not be made rashly.
"Whether you are in your 20s or 50s, I believe that Servcorp is the solution to the problems people will face when starting their own business.”
I found out about Servcorp through an entrepreneurial acquaintance, and I was interested because it was an introduction from someone I knew and trusted.
I actually lived in Fukuoka before I started my company. I visited Servcorp in Fukuoka and had a great first impression. After that, I visited Servcorp in Tokyo and chose the Toho Hibiya Promenade location in Hibiya after two visits. Furthermore, the convenience of the location allows me to conduct my business efficiently.
I think the appeal of Servcorp is the comfort. Especially here (at the Toho Hibiya Promenade location), there are seats with a view of the Imperial Palace, so it is a very relaxing place to work. Also, the service is generous, with all-you-can-drink lattes and so on. I haven't been able to take full advantage of this yet, but the comfort of the office environment and the level of service are two of Servcorp's main appeal points.
I know people who have been running their own businesses for more than 10 years or have quite large businesses, and I've heard that a number of them used Servcorp at first. Whether you are in your 20s or 50s, I believe that Servcorp is the solution to the problems people will face when starting their own business.
Servcorp's flexible office environment and full range of services support the dreams of many entrepreneurs. Servcorp is a valuable guideline for those considering starting a business, and it will be helpful to remember Servcorp as an option when taking the first steps in entrepreneurship.
The Toho Hibiya Promenade building is directly connected to Hibiya Station, and is a 3-minute walk from Yurakucho Station. The building offers an excellent view of the lush greenery of Hibiya Park and the outer gardens of the Imperial Palace. The building is also equipped with facilities that support the health and comfort of working business professionals and has received the CASBEE Smart Wellness Office Rating Certification, an environmental rating system.
The Servcorp Toho Hibiya Promenade location has three key features. The first is that the coworking space is located on the top floor of the building and has a spectacular view. We have received positive comments from our clients that they are able to concentrate and make great progress with their work. Second, there is a large fish tank where you can enjoy tropical fish and coral reefs. The theme of the location is the sea, and the marine colors of the interior provide a bright and relaxing atmosphere. Finally, as mentioned above, the location is in a new building with great accessibility. If you are looking for an office, please consider this location. Servcorp offers four types of solutions to suit your business: Serviced Offices, Coworking Spaces, Virtual Offices, and Meeting Rooms.
“No matter what location you go to they are always kept in pristine condition and it’s easy to use and focus on your work.”
“An office is not all about location and rent. Productivity from employees and customer satisfaction are invaluable by-products if you get your choice right.”
“Servcorp provides great value and a lot of advantages for fast-paced companies which want to concentrate on their core business.”
