Interview Employee Interview (S.K.)

Here's what I do!

I currently work as a Junior Strategist, focusing mainly on designing and proposing the necessary strategies. Also, unlike at typical consulting firms, a strategist as our company defines it is responsible for overseeing everything consistently through to the creative, so when needed I also do work similar to that of a “production director.”

So, while designing (or supporting) strategy through discussions with clients, when deliverables are required I define the requirements for those deliverables based on the strategy, and handle a broad range of work up to giving production instructions to directors, designers, engineers and others, and managing progress.

Now, having gained experience, I am gradually handling research, strategy design, creating proposals and presenting proposals to clients on my own, starting with smaller parts.

When I first joined, I sat in on actual meetings to learn what strategy really is, while creating planning documents for TV commercials and websites, writing copy and drawing storyboards for commercials myself — learning about production fields I had never tried before by being given the chance to take them on. I'm not a creator myself, but having actually thought things through and experienced the full production process gives you the “mental resolution” to properly connect strategy to creative and execution, so I think it was an extremely important experience.

Why I joined

I studied graphic design at university. While a student, I designed the logo for an event that was covered by the media, and felt uneasy when people around me said, “That's amazing!” What was amazing was the event; I had just happened to make its logo... I began to wonder: what is this design I'm studying? Isn't the more important part the planning and strategy — the core that lies deeper than design?

After that, perhaps partly because I actively engaged in activities outside the university, such as running events with the local government, what my professors valued in me was largely my planning and thinking, and I vaguely began to feel, “What I'm suited for is probably being a planner or director.” I didn't want to specialize only in planning the way consulting firms do; focusing only on marketing like an advertising agency didn't feel quite right either; and I didn't want to limit myself to particular production fields like a production company... While I was agonizing over this, I happened to come across Strategic Partners.

It was exactly the company I had idealized: one where I could do both the strategy that I believe is truly necessary and the creative work in which I have some experience and strengths.

A typical day

10:00Arrive at the office, check and reply to emails

After arriving at the office, I check emails from clients and from the photographers and designers who work with us.

11:00Refine planning documents

I polish the meeting materials and planning documents for the afternoon meeting with a client. Today is a TV commercial presentation.

12:00Leave the office for a meeting

13:00Lunch

I meet up with my manager near the client's building and grab a quick lunch.

14:00TV commercial meeting

I'm still new, so I don't yet have many opportunities to be the main person explaining things to clients, but during meetings I take the minutes and make sure nothing the client requests is missed.

15:00Client's management meeting

As an assistant, I attend a management meeting with the client's president and take minutes, just as in the commercial meeting. Actually being on site is the best learning experience.

18:00Dinner with the client

In complete contrast to the serious meetings, it's a friendly, enjoyable time.

19:00Head home

After 7 p.m. is my off time. To become a fully fledged strategic planner as soon as possible, I get into bed with a reference book in hand...

In a word, what kind of company is STPT?

I think it's “a company that looks ahead.”
Even when building a strategy and translating it into advertising, rather than simply doing what has been requested right in front of us, we anticipate what would be right and efficient in the future and make proposals accordingly. And I feel we have the drive and speed to carry them out.

This company is recommended for people like this!

I recommend this company to curious people who “want to try everything” and to kind people who “want to work for the sake of others.”