Jim James – Founder of EASTWEST Public Relations

The excitement of the ever-changing communications industry is what motivates Jim James.

What’s your story?

I’m an entrepreneur who has international experience of setting up companies on three continents over a period of 25 years. Originally from the UK I went to Singapore in 1995 and then to China in 2006. My business experience ranges from running an international public relations group, importing British sports cars to China, establishing the British business awards in China, and producing a successful podcast and authoring a book entitled The UnNoticed Entrepreneur.

What excites you most about your industry?

I work in the industry of communication I find this exciting because communication is always in demand and forever changing.

What drives you in business to push beyond what other people consider normal?

I’m not sure that I strive to push myself beyond what other people consider to be normal but I do believe that we only accomplish in proportion to what we attempt. I always been excited by setting a goal and attaining that goal, and the bigger that goal the greater the sense of accomplishment. I suffer from boredom and that boredom leads me to shut down physically. I found that I need the adrenaline of being in pursuit of a dream in order to make life worthwhile.

What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?

The most useful skill that I have learnt is to be resourceful because we never have enough of anything in order to accomplish what we want to achieve therefore we must fashion what is available to become the vision of what is possible. The second most important skill I’ve learnt is to engage others in the vision of what I’m trying to accomplish because it is the collective resources marshalled effectively and efficiently which will lead to a greater result than anything that one individual can achieve alone.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

It’s better to have one company run well than two companies run badly.

Who inspires you?

I’m motivated to provide for my two beautiful daughters. I know this is different to inspiration but actually, children teach us many considerations. They have a constant desire to learn, and be innocent about relationships, and believe that life will always become better. I also know how to laugh and play.

What have you learnt recently that blew you away?

Artificial intelligence is becoming more sophisticated and will enable organisations to communicate efficiently with people and in some cases more effectively than between people and other people. AI does not have any prejudice nor fatigue nor bad moods.

If you had your time again, what would you do differently?

I would have sold the businesses and the assets that attracted offers when those offers arose instead of believing that I would have a steady stream of buyers over a lifetime. There is a saying which is to take the money when it’s on the table, and I should have done that.

What I should have done was to have married the woman that I loved as a young man and then sort my fortune instead of seeking a fortune and losing the woman I love. The fortune is not beautiful, doesn’t age gracefully nor keep good company.

How do you unwind?

I love to walk with my beagle and my children in the English countryside, breathe fresh air, listen to birdsong, and eat wild fruit.

What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your business?

A business needs to be a source of recurring income without my involvement therefore it must be a system, not a skill.

Everyone in business should read this book:

Confessions of the Pricing Man: How Price Affects Everything: Simon, Hermann.

Shameless plug for your business:

EASTWEST PR is a B2B Tech specialist working across ASIA providing cost-effective publicity by the deployment of virtual teams of expert consultants.

The unnoticed programs have been built for entrepreneurs by an entrepreneur giving information and tools for every business owners to get noticed for free.

How can people connect with you?

http://www.eastwestpr.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesjim

Social Media Links?

Twitter: @jimajames
Twitter: @eastwestpr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eastwestpr

This interview is part of the CallumConnects series.