Episode #347: Building A Media Empire In Japan From Scratch

Robert Heldt, founder and President of Custom Media, an award-winning bilingual media agency, originally started his career in the Maladives in the hospitality industry.

Founded in 2008, Custom Media company had a rough start following the Lehman shock, but picked up soon after launching the bilingual lifestyle travel magazine WITHIM and BCCJ Acumen, the British Chamber of Commerce magazine, which recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary.

Additionally, they help create ACC Journal of the American Chamber of Commerce, The Canadian of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, INTOUCH of Tokyo American Club and Mansion Global, a luxury real estate magazine.

In 2013, the company won the prestigious British Business Award for their success. Starting as a close-knit team of just 3-5 staff, Mr. Heldt talks about the difficulties of recruiting and retaining a multicultural group of people in today’s Japanese workforce.

Communicating amongst different cultural nuances is another challenge. Yet he also points out that diversity gives them their creative edge.

Mr. Heldt strives to lead with flexibility, patience and personal positivism to build better rapport with his staff. He says, “you need to be a good listener…I [try] to nurture that style of work environment where everybody, no matter, [what] age or seniority in the organization can share their opinion, can share their idea...that really helps to get buy-in and engagement from the team.”

He welcomes mistakes to be openly discussed and rewards hard work through incentives like career development opportunities. In doing so, he believes he is able to create a transparent and engaging team that feels a sense of purpose in working at Custom Media.