ACC（Advanced Corporate Communication）、Ryo Saito、2022, Evening Course

Why did you decide to take this module?

Recently, interest in sustainability management and ESG investment has increased, and attention has been focused not only on corporate financial information but also on non-financial information (CSR, ESG, SDGs activities) in the stock market. For a company to sustainably increase its value, it needs to transmit its value to shareholders and institutional investors properly, have them evaluate the company accurately, and build trust to gain their support. I took ACC to learn how to communicate with stakeholder and the essence of communication for companies to gain the trust of their stakeholders.

What I learned in the class

ACC covers various areas, including investor relations, corporate governance, executive compensation, sustainable finance, financial and non-financial information (CSR, ESG, SDGs activities), and the latest topics in integrated reports. The instructors have rich practical experiences and academic knowledge in their respective fields, allowing students to learn the latest global capital market trends and knowledge. In the first half of the class, we learned the basics of each field through lectures, and in the second half, we had discussions with the instructors, which helped us organize our thoughts and gain new insights.

Activities related to CSR, ESG, and SDGs are essential for companies to fulfill their social responsibilities and pursue sustainable business. Through these activities, companies can communicate the importance of sustainability to shareholders and investors and clearly explain their corporate value and impact on the economy, environment, and society. In addition, based on our corporate philosophy, I could learn what corporations could convey a story about what kind of added value they could provide, how they can improve their corporate value, and what they will prioritize and implement to gain the trust of their stakeholders.

In the final presentation, students used the knowledge and skills they had learned to give a final presentation from the perspective of IR officers, shareholders, or investors. Assuming the position of shareholders or investors, I analyzed the company's annual, integrated, and sustainability reports. I presented improvement proposals based on the company's financial and non-financial information. These experiences taught me the knowledge and skills to evaluate corporate value. On the other hand, as IR manager, I found it difficult to accurately comment on proposals and opinions from shareholders' and investors' perspectives while considering the company's strategies and activities. It is vital for IR officers to flexibly and effectively engage in dialogue with shareholders and investors, deepen mutual understanding, and work to improve any issues that arise.

How do you want to make use of what you have learned?

I will continue to use the essence of communications I have learned to convey the company's CSR, ESG, SDGs activities, etc., as a story that leads to increased its corporate value. I am eager to become a business leader who can establish a communication strategy that deepens trust from stakeholders. I would like to work even harder and hone my skills.