With the post-pandemic return of inbound tourism in Japan, I’ve once again found myself involved in various regional revitalization projects. One recent example involves helping Showa-era hotels in cities beyond Japan’s famed Golden Route (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, etc.) come up with ideas to attract contemporary visitors from abroad.
Read MoreIn a recent episode of the Business Success Japan podcast, host Lydia Beukelman welcomes back Anthony Griffin, Saga Consulting founder and principal consultant, to discuss effective strategies for leveraging LinkedIn and networking in Japan. Anthony shares practical insights aimed at helping professionals achieve success in a cross-cultural business environment. Here’s a detailed look at the key takeaways from their engaging conversation.
Read MoreIn 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic in full effect, finding a capable road bike in Tokyo was no easy task. Tokyoites were scrambling to avoid the city’s packed-as-a-pickle jar subway cars at all costs, sparking a boom in bike sales. Popular models were backlogged for months.
During this time, I too was cycling more than ever before, and I happened to be in the market for an upgrade. After scouring Tokyo for a store that could source the cycle I was seeking, I found the solution to my dilemma just a few kilometers away from my home: Matthew Cycle, in the city’s Asagaya Ward.
Read MoreIn our latest video summary, we delve into a narrative of gradual growth, strategic decisions, and immersive cultural exploration. Guided by Nikki Ong, president of Slick Marketers–a Southern California marketing service company renowned for helping franchise businesses stand out from their local competition–we gain valuable insights into Anthony's journey to Tokyo.
Read MoreIn this edition of Client Conversations, Anthony Griffin hosts Ayako Sasaki, co-founder of Nicohachi English. In Connecting People Through English and Intercultural Understanding, Ayako provides insightful perspectives on the significant role that language and cultural understanding play in strengthening interpersonal relationships, influencing business results, and presenting effective strategies for language acquisition.
Read MoreThe Tokyo Motor Show is back for the first time since 2019. Rechristened as the Japan Mobility Show after a pandemic-induced hiatus, this signature event for Japan’s automotive industry returns with a broader theme that goes beyond what most expect from a typical auto show. True to its rebranding, the Japan Mobility Show is about much more than cars. From personal mobility devices to private jets, this event is about anything that helps you get from point A to point B.
Read MoreThe global video game market is poised to expand to a staggering $257 billion in 2023, according to PwC’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2022-26. For perspective, that’s more than 5.5 times the size of the global cinema industry. On track to exceed $321 billion in 2026, gaming shows no signs of slowing down.
In this article, the English version of 日本のゲーム産業はグローバルでどう輝くのか, Saga Consulting contributor Shiho Baisho extracts my thoughts on Japan’s place in the global business behemoth that is the video game industry. Japan’s story unfolds just like the narrative to your favorite role-playing game, complete with triumphs, defeats, and hope for the future. Join us as we explore the successes, failures, and limitless potential of Japanese gaming on the global stage.
Read MoreThis year, the excitement around AI soared to heights previously unseen. All of a sudden, the dystopian future depicted in countless sci-fi movies was knocking at humanity’s front door. In reality, however, the development and use of AI has been expanding for decades. What makes recent developments so exciting (and for many, frightening) is that powerful content-generation tools are now in the hands of everyday creatives and knowledge workers, generating fascinating results, often for free.
Read MoreWhether you’re running a business or trying to monetize your creative pursuits, the most important thing to consider about social media is return on investment. How much value—be it in followers, brand recognition, ad revenue share, or even sales—is your chosen platform giving you in proportion to the time, effort, and money you invest?
Read MoreWith Japan tourism steadily increasing in the wake of the pandemic, there’s no better time to share a curated collection of my Kokoro Media (formerly Tadaima Japan) travel content that has withstood the test of time.
Read MoreWorking abroad comes with plenty of unique challenges, many of which Anthony Griffin is familiar with, having founded his brand, Saga Consulting, in Japan. Anthony joined a virtual discussion in early 2022, hosted by Maya Matsuoka and Tim Sullivan with Japan Expert Insights, to discuss the definition of success, tapping into the entrepreneurial mindset—especially while abroad—and ways to leverage your individual position to make working in Japan work for you.
Read MoreIn early 2020, Anthony Griffin joined Hashi Media CHATBOT event host Eric Keyes for a conversation on entrepreneurship and marketing in Japan. In their discussion, they touched on what it’s like to start and run a marketing business in Japan, effective marketing strategies for small businesses, and the importance of professional, concise content.
Read MoreAnthony Griffin joined Lucy Kikuchi, creator and host of The Business of Creativity podcast, for a virtual discussion in the fall of 2021. They weighed in on must-know global marketing tips, finding professional inspiration in Japan, and the importance of courage when learning Japanese.
Read MoreIn the fall of 2021, Anthony Griffin joined Now and Zen Japan podcast host Andrew Hankinson to unpack a range of topics, covering everything from global communications and tips for budding entrepreneurs, to cultural insights into Japan and building community with language. This article summarizes and explores the key points covered in the podcast, uncovering the valuable advice discussed along the way.
Read MoreApril 2022 marks five years of working as a sole proprietor under the Saga Consulting brand. To commemorate the occasion, I decided to look back at the past, update you on the present, and hint at what to expect in the future. In addition to taking a moment to thank everyone who has helped me make it this far, I hope that sharing a few details about my journey will benefit anyone interested in doing something similar.
Read MoreApril 2022 marks the fifth anniversary of Saga Consulting, and naturally, moments like this prompt reflection. As a business inspired by Japan and built on the foundation of clear, professional writing, I figured that sharing the following interview—originally published in July 2020—was a good way to launch a series of upcoming announcements and content.
Read MoreIn this episode of Client Conversations, I’m proud to share words of wisdom from Amélie Geeraert, editor-and-chief at Kokoro Media. In our conversation about asking compelling questions for interviews, relationship building, and customer service, we cover the following topics and more:
Read MoreI recently had the honor of discussing my international career path and Saga Consulting with the UC Riverside School of Business, my alma mater for both my business administration and MBA degrees.
Read MoreIn the second episode of Saga Consulting Client Conversations, Manjul Agrawal (General Manager, Global Advisory Services, HLS Global) shares market-entry insights and specific advice on incorporating in Japan.
Read MoreAlthough most of my work is bound by confidentiality agreements, I’ve started to work with more and more clients in a public capacity. I admire the work that my clients do, and I’m proud to be associated with them.
That’s why I’m pleased to announce Saga Consulting Client Conversations, a series of videos that give the clients I work with a chance to share their expertise with the world.
Read More
