Jim Giam, Founder & CEO, FirstCom Academy
In today’s fast-paced world, the pursuit of knowledge and skill development has become an essential part of professional growth. As technology leaps forward and industries shift, the hunger for accessible, top-notch education or skills is stronger than ever. In this dynamic landscape, organisations that bridge the gap between traditional learning and practical application have emerged as vital pillars of progress. These institutions don’t just teach—they cultivate adaptability and spark innovation, equipping people to excel in an ever-evolving market. One such visionary in this field, who recognised the potential of blending digital expertise with educational excellence is Jim Giam, the founder of FirstCom Academy. Based in Singapore, FirstCom Academy stands out as a registered training provider specialising in short, impactful WSQ courses. Their mission is to empower professionals by equipping them with in-demand skills, thus unlocking new opportunities and advancing their careers.
Raising the Bar in Professional Training
Starting out, Jim and his team focused on offering training that revolved around their core services, such as web hosting and domain management, giving clients the essential tools to maintain their digital presence. For digital marketing, they taught clients to view and interpret data from their web analytics, fostering a culture of transparency that set them apart from the competition. As time went on, Jim’s vision for education and training began to take shape. The year 2017 marked a significant milestone when he stumbled upon the WSQ framework. This sparked a drive in Jim and his team to raise the bar for their training services and ensure they were in line with Singapore’s government standards. It was this lightbulb moment that led to the birth of FirstCom Academy, a venture born out of Jim’s passion for quality education.
When the COVID-19 pandemic threw the world for a loop, Jim saw a pressing need: many clients lacked the technological skills to manage their websites independently. Seizing this opportunity, Jim expanded the academy’s offerings to include training in digital and tech skills. Today, FirstCom Academy not only imparts technical knowledge but also focuses on critical soft skills like effective people management, communication, and presentation skills.
Thriving Against All Odds
Jim’s journey through the education and training industry has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. In the beginning, one of the toughest hurdles was the substantial monetary investment needed to establish well-equipped training centres that could cater to large groups of adult learners. Setting up these centres wasn’t just about investing in physical infrastructure; it also meant recruiting and training competent education consultants who could accurately represent their courses and help potential learners see their value.
Once the centres were up and running, ensuring a seamless learning experience became their next mountain to climb. To ensure that learners receive a smooth learning experience, they focused on providing adequate support to resolve any issues that may arise before and during their period of training. This support extends to the trainers too. “By rendering the support required, trainers will then be able to focus on the quality of training that is being delivered to the learners,” elucidates Jim.
Another ongoing challenge for Jim and his team has been establishing a synergy between trainers and learners, who come from all walks of life. With learners coming from diverse backgrounds, trainers must continuously adapt to new class dynamics, ensuring every participant receives the personalised attention needed for a successful learning experience. Despite these challenges, Jim’s unwavering commitment to quality education and adaptability in the face of adversity has enabled FirstCom Academy to not just survive, but thrive in this dynamic and demanding industry.
Leading by Example
Jim’s leadership style is far from the stereotypical image of a CEO who merely observes from afar. Instead, he’s a hands-on leader who believes in getting down in the trenches with his team. From sales and marketing to curriculum development, Jim is always on the ground and diving into the day-to-day operations. This approach has earned him the respect and admiration of his team, who see him as a leader who truly understands the ins and outs of the business. But Jim’s leadership philosophy goes beyond mere presence.
To keep his team in sync with the company’s mission and values, Jim focuses on empowering them rather than simply directing them. He starts by illustrating the personal and professional growth they can gain from their roles, rather than emphasising the results they must produce. By investing in their development and fostering a supportive environment, Jim ensures that each team member is not just working for the company but growing with it. “By offering this support and guidance, team members can better relate and be aligned with the company’s values and what we set out to achieve. Having team members that are aligned with the company’s values is vital as it will bring us closer to our goal of becoming the number one professional training partner in Singapore,” asserts Jim.
Crafting a Culture of Growth and Achievement
Jim firmly believes that a motivated team is the key to a thriving business. Thus, he makes sure that every member of his team feels valued and driven. By offering competitive salaries, implementing incentive schemes, and establishing clear, measurable goals, he strives to create an environment where employees are not just working for a paycheck but are genuinely invested in their roles. He often shares a favourite quote that resonates deeply with his philosophy: “Life doesn’t require us to be the best; life only requires us to make measurable progress within a reasonable time.”
Embracing this belief, one practice that Jim diligently follows is adjusting base salaries for employees who demonstrate exceptional performance and meet their KPIs. If employees continuously show growth and improvement, their salaries are increased accordingly. Once they reach the top of their salary bracket, they are naturally promoted, with tailored guidance to help them excel in their new roles. He believes staff should be paid for their valuable contribution to the company and not just their time. Hence, the company adopts a proactive approach to grooming their employees to allow them to blossom and evolve into the best version they can be. Sufficient support will be given, sometimes by way of knowledge and sometimes by way of morale.
Building Success Through Trust and Teamwork
When asked about juggling his responsibilities as CEO with the demands of managing an educational institution, Jim’s response is nothing short of inspiring. “I don’t feel the need to put in extra effort to balance my roles. It’s because I have a capable team running the show alongside me,” shares Jim. His confidence is rooted in the strength and competence of his team, who share his vision and dedication. With each member playing a crucial part, their collective effort has led to FirstCom Academy’s remarkable success. Today, the academy proudly flaunts a stellar 4.9-star rating from over 30,000 Google reviews and an impressive 4.48 TRAQOM score from around 39,000 reviews.
For Jim, it’s not about juggling responsibilities with a heavy hand but rather about maintaining a steady course and supporting his team day in and day out. By staying hands-on with daily operations and trusting his team’s expertise, Jim keeps FirstCom Academy on track, ensuring it consistently delivers on its promises. Balancing responsibilities, for Jim, is less about effort and more about leadership and teamwork.
Visionary Insights for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to make their mark in the education and professional training industry, Jim’s advice is simple yet profound: start with the right mindset. “Focusing on exactly what you want to offer and what market gap you want to fill is the key. If you are looking to enter this industry just because you want to start a business to make money, you will not go far,” he warns.
Jim attributes FirstCom Academy’s impressive growth and success to its strategic focus on a niche market—providing hands-on, short-term training that few competitors offer. “There aren’t many training providers out there that specialise in short, practical training. By filling this gap, we’ve met a strong market demand,” he explains.
While acknowledging the importance of profitability, Jim emphasises that the true essence of his business lies in its impact. FirstCom Academy aims to assist Singaporeans in achieving better lives and careers through education. Jim believes that education forms the bedrock of a thriving nation, and providing quality education contributes to national progress. Thus, he urges aspiring entrepreneurs to step into this industry with a genuine commitment to making a meaningful impact.
Continues Building the Path to Professional Success
Looking towards the future, Jim envisions FirstCom Academy as the leading training provider dedicated to driving tangible career success for all learners. “People often upgrade their skills or pursue formal and professional certifications for the specific reasons of salary increment, job seeking, and career advancement. We aspire to improve our curriculum over the next few years so as to be able to cater to all Singaporeans in the nation,” he reveals.
Jim also intends to forge stronger partnerships with Singaporean businesses to pinpoint and address existing talent gaps. Additionally, he aims to launch a recruitment arm that directly connects learners with hiring companies. Under Jim’s steadfast leadership, FirstCom Academy is set to become the trusted ally in career development, equipping individuals with essential skills and delivering exceptional talent to drive business success and growth.