A few words about us
Platinum is an innovative and forward thinking training specialist organization, which offers unique and unprecedented corporate training packages. Our courses have been designed to meet the ever-changing needs of professional people on the global corporate stage.
Why choose us?
We feel that Platinum corporate training packages simply put are the best on the market. We offer the most up to date professional corporate courses that are designed to greatly improve participant’s functional business skills. Our instructors between them have over 20 years of experience in the training & development industry. Participants who complete our courses can instantly transfer those skills to the real business world. Our training is vocational and hands on orientated. The emphasis first and foremost is put on the actual skill being studied such as teleconferencing therefore in theory even native speakers could benefit from our courses. However we also recognize that effective communication and language ability is essential in our jargon filled corporate world therefore our courses are given in English with language support and development being included throughout the training. We believe that this unprecedented combination of corporate level training and language development helps our training packages easily stand out from its competitors and offer true value to your corporation and staff.
Personal Profiles
Paul James
Director/Co-Founder
Paul James is a director and co-founder of Platinum Training Consultants. Originally from England Paul now lives and works in Japan.
Paul has worked as a cross-cultural consultant and corporate trainer in many leading organizations, including, Shinko Securities, KPMG, Astrazeneca, Bluecoat, Lundbeck and many more. At these organizations he has trained all levels of staff in various cross-cultural leadership and communication skill programs focusing on key issues, such as, conflict management, assertiveness, problem solving, team communications, persuasion techniques and decision making.
Paul also has vast experience in creating and delivering soft skill programs in areas, such as, facilitating techniques, teleconferencing, presentations and meeting skills. At Platinum Training Paul is involved in curriculum development, client services and program delivery.
Message from Paul
I have worked in the training industry for 10 years and have seen many changes. More focus is being placed on “globalization” and the need for true internationally minded employees. Today perhaps the biggest challenge we all face as global business people is that of cultural diversity. As the business world shrinks due to technological advancements cross cultural differences play a major role in all communications.
These challenges vary depending on position some of us must lead international teams, facilitate global meetings, solve cross boundary problems and make vital decisions. For others of us, participating in teleconferences or giving team presentations is an issue. Even writing an email or socializing with our international colleagues can be impacted by cultural subtleties.
I think the first stage in self-development is to see culture as a positive opportunity. At Platinum we specialize in this unique and exciting area of individual and organizational cross-cultural development. Personally I have been involved in team building courses, cross-cultural conflict communication workshops, management leadership initiatives and many more corporate and individual development programs. I look forward to sharing this experience and expertise with you.
Paul James
Director
Platinum Training
Andrew Abbey
Director/Co-Founder
Andrew Abbey is a director and co-founder of Platinum Training consultants. Originally from England, Andrew has been living and working in Japan for the last 8 years.
Andrew has spent most of his career working in an international environment, first spending 7 years working in international tax for major international accountancy firms (including Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and KPMG) in London, New York and Sydney before moving to Japan.
After a brief sabbatical working in the English language industry, Andrew began working as an independent corporate trainer focusing on the challenges of the increasingly internationalized business world. He has worked with staff from many blue-chip companies in a variety of market sectors including IBM Japan, Chuo-Aoyama, Nikkon, Nissan Financial, Ernst & Young ShinNihon, Mizuho, Sony and many others.
Andrew is currently a professor at Kenichi Ohmae Graduate School of Business, lecturing to MBA candidates on Globalization. At Platinum Training Consultants Andrew is involved in curriculum development, client services and course delivery.
Message from Andrew
I consider myself fortunate to have spent my career working in international environments, first delivering tax and relocation advice to international assignees of major corporations. In this position I dealt with clients from literally dozens of countries from every region of the globe. I also experienced the difficult challenge of coordinating our own foreign offices on joint global projects. The most important thing I learned from these experiences is that whilst language skills are crucial to operating effectively in an international environment, non-linguistic skills and cross-cultural understanding are equally important. Language without culture is a blunt tool of limited effectiveness.
These experiences, combined with 7 years of working with major Japanese companies here in Tokyo, have allowed me some insight into the difficulties faced by Japanese business people in dealing with the rest of the world. Whilst some people require language training, many have reached a sufficient level of English proficiency but are hampered by other factors – lack of confidence in dealing with phone calls, an inability to express their opinions with appropriate strength, or a misunderstanding of the nuances of other cultures.
I believe that our courses offer participants the opportunity to address these challenges head on. Those in need of English training will receive that, with a firm emphasis on practically applying this new knowledge in the real world. Those with adequate language skills can use our courses to sharpen those skills for use in real business situations by channeling their knowledge towards hard business goals.
The modern world is a difficult, challenging place but one that is filled with opportunities. My colleagues and I look forward to helping you to unlock your potential.
Andrew Abbey
Director
Platinum Training