東京タワーの写真
壮大な建物の風景
綺麗な街並みの風景
New Yorkの風景

Timeless in Value
Strategic in Application
Global in Impact

In environments where the global and the local intersect, creating lasting value requires a deep understanding of both perspectives and the ability to bring them together strategically. Drawing on my experience in retail, training, and management within European luxury brands, I have focused on approaches that maximize training effectiveness in the Japanese market. While respecting the strategic vision of the global headquarters, I place importance on ensuring that Japan's unique values and strengths are reflected without contradiction. I believe that this thoughtful bridge-building is what ultimately leads to meaningful global impact.

Why Soft Skills?

Soft skills are not "nice to have". They are the foundation of everything. They are the source of our ability to build trust, communicate with clarity, and lead with confidence.

Beyond luxury retail, in international environments and businesses serving high-net-worth clients, technical excellence is simply expected. What differentiates true professionals is the ability to apply knowledge with sophistication—through presence, teamwork, self-management, adaptability, discernment, cultural literacy, sound judgment, confidence, and global fluency.

At Soft Skills Solutions, every program is intentionally designed to strengthen these essential soft skills, regardless of the topic you choose. Soft skills are what transform knowledge into action, and action into meaningful results.

Recommended for

Services

1. Delivery of Global HQ Training Programs

Bridging Global Vision and Local Excellence
As a professional facilitator, I adapt and deliver training programs developed by global headquarters to meet the needs of Japanese subsidiaries.

See details

2. Delivery of Original Training Programs

・Newcomers Training

・Retail Conversation Training

・Global Citizen Training

※ Each program can be customized based on your organization's current needs and context.

3. Consulting Services

・ Customer Service Guideline Development & Training

・ Mystery Shopping Assessments

・ Others

4. Programs for Individuals

・Table Manners Training
(English & French Styles) etc.

Why Work with Me?

Because I bring three distinct yet complementary perspectives—corporate, retail, and luxury presentation. I am able to bridge the intentions of the client organization with the realities of frontline professionals. This enables participants to more naturally internalize and embody the training content.

・Corporate Perspective
(organizational direction, brand values, global business expectations, compliance)

・Retail Perspective
(adaptability, teamwork, commercial mindset, time awareness, resilience)

・Luxury Presentation Perspective
(composure, confidence, refined communication)

In addition, my formal training in etiquette and protocol at a Swiss finishing school trusted by royal families around the world provides a solid foundation for advising on appropriate professional behavior. When needed, I offer credible guidance on the level of presence and conduct required to succeed in the global luxury arena.

Profile

Profile

Utako Miyata

I worked for nearly 20 years in the European luxury brand sector, gaining comprehensive experience across front-line sales at a flagship boutique, a controller role in customer service operations, and corporate training. As Head of Training at Japan subsidiaries, I oversaw program development, delivery, and trainer development. I now offer learning solutions primarily to global luxury brands and multinational companies operating in Japan.

・ ESSEC Business School (Paris, France)
- MBA in International Luxury Brand Management

・ Institut Villa Pierrefeu (Glion, Switzerland)
- International Business Etiquette & Protocol- Art of European Dining

Contact

Recommended for companies like these

  • ・Want to develop front-line professionals capable of delivering high-level service for luxury brands and premium offerings
  • ・Have many employees who lack a deep understanding of high-net-worth clients, resulting in limitations in the quality of their sales proposals
  • ・Feel that standardized, manual-based customer service approaches have reached their limits
  • ・Want to differentiate themselves from competitors through superior client engagement, such as business dinners and overseas hospitality
  • ・Aim to cultivate employees with the sensibility, mindset, and discretion required for high-end and high-net-worth clientele
  • ・Seek to develop employees with a global perspective and cross-cultural awareness
  • ・Frequently interact with international clients, or plan to expand their business overseas in the future
  • ・Want to strengthen global ethical standards and professional awareness to reduce various business and reputational risks

Delivery of Global Headquarters Training Programs

Bridging Global Vision and Local Excellence

As a professional facilitator, I adapt and deliver training programs developed by global headquarters to meet the needs of Japanese subsidiaries. My approach focuses on drawing out the cultural strengths, wisdom, and values deeply rooted in Japanese professionals, and exploring how these qualities can be meaningfully integrated into global content.

I guide participants toward insights that lead to proactive, on-the-ground application, ensuring the training becomes not only understood but internalized and acted upon. At times, I also encourage individuals and teams to step beyond Japan's unique comfort zones, enabling both personal and organizational growth to unfold.

Delivery of Original Training Programs

■ New Graduate Training Program (2 Days)

This session is designed to further motivate new graduate employees and help them identify concrete actions for success within your organization. Participants explore what "luxury" truly means and how they can contribute to creating refined and sophisticated environments, fostering a mindset that allows them to take pride in—and enjoy—being part of the luxury industry. The program also addresses how to build mental resilience to adapt to new environments, relationships, achievements, and setbacks.

■ Luxury Training Program

What defines luxury, and how can everyday customer service be elevated to a more luxurious experience? This program helps participants learn to enjoy creating refined and sophisticated spaces. It also explores how high-net-worth clients live and how they spend their money. As this audience continues to diversify, gaining a deep understanding of their values and expectations is essential to delivering better proposals. This training helps participants identify what they need to understand and focus on in order to become trusted sales professionals who stand out and deliver results.

■ Conversation Skills Training

This training focuses on practicing conversation skills that go beyond simply enjoyable dialogue, guiding conversations toward meaningful outcomes that encourage clients to take home a product on the same day.

■ Table Manners (Luxury Experience)

Participants experience the pleasure of refined service at a first-class French restaurant while learning the fundamentals of table manners. To ensure that a luxury experience does not end with simply "a delicious meal," this session teaches key points of observation and etiquette in advance, helping participants gain insights into clients' everyday lifestyles. This program is especially recommended as a luxury experience for new employees.

■ V.I.P. Clienteling Skills Training

Participants acquire essential manners and hosting skills required for dining with valued V.I.P. clients, including how to take the lead as a host. The program also covers practical preparation tips for invitation-based client travel.

■ Training Delivery Support (Trainer Absence & Temporary Coverage)

When in-house trainers are unavailable, we provide training on your behalf. Whether new employee training cannot be conducted due to trainer absence or additional support is required, we offer flexible solutions tailored to your needs. Our services can be utilized for a defined period, such as during maternity or parental leave.

■ Customized Training Plan

We design training programs based on your organization's specific needs and objectives. Please feel free to contact us for an initial consultation.

Consulting Services

■ Customer Service Guideline Development & Training

After gaining a thorough understanding of your company's services and products, we develop customer service guidelines that align with your organization's needs and brand image. We then provide practical training to support effective implementation. As the scope and content vary depending on requirements, a detailed proposal and cost estimate will be provided accordingly.

■ On-Site Assessment, Guideline Draft Development, Guideline Finalization,
Training Implementation

Recommended for Companies That
・Have inconsistent customer service due to the absence of clear guidelines
・Wish to cultivate talent capable of delivering luxury-level service
・Are ready to review and update outdated customer service manuals

■ Spot Consulting (Online consulting sessions available from 45 minutes.)

Recommended for Companies That
・Are considering how to introduce training programs effectively
・Would like feedback and opinions on reviewing current training programs
・Would like brief input or advice regarding our services

■ Mystery Shopping / Site Visit

After gaining an understanding of your business strategy in advance, we evaluate your customer service from both the customer's perspective and your company's perspective, assessing alignment with your business strategy and brand image. Our report also includes practical recommendations for improvement.

■ Customized Training Plan

We design training programs based on your organization's specific needs. Please contact us for an initial consultation.

Programs for Individuals

■ New Graduate Training Program (2 Days)

This program consists of two table manners sessions, one for each style. The training is conducted as a lunch session in a private dining room at a hotel restaurant in Tokyo or at a private room in an authentic fine-dining restaurant.
By learning both British and French table manners, participants gain a clear understanding of what is considered correct and incorrect in formal dining settings. The program is held for groups of four or more participants, with a maximum of nine participants per session. For group bookings, we will make every effort to accommodate preferred dates.

Schedule
11:30 – Venue assembly
12:00 – Lunch session begins
14:00 – Review and summary
14:30 – Dismissal