Precisely, I think as an IR professional. It's quite embarassing to not know your financials. Especially when your company is big and you do a lot of deals.

You need to study every single details about the deal and predict all the questions your shareholders will ask in advance. Shareholders are typically not the problematic ones. The Equity Research Analysts are.

I think we are moving into a new phase. It's hard to find proficient IR Professionals but bigger companies are focusing their efforts on finding the best. So if you train yourself up to be well-versed in picking up the technicalities behind your companies' operations and financials, you will naturally be highly sought after.

I am the poster of #6. Thank you guys for offering the insights to IR work. I invest in stocks myself, and understand the importance of these financials to investors/analysts. As a person, I prefer to be in-the-know and cannot stand being clueless on the work I handle. In fact, I have done some research, and came to know about the IRPAS (Investor Relations Professionals Association Singapore); was thinking of going for this course if i were to switch to IR one day. --> International Certificate in Investor Relations. ://.irpas.com/html/courses_details.php?id=1

Anyone have heard of or attended this course before? And what would the pay for IR jobs be like? Would it be as competitive as what Stat boards pay their corpcomms ppl?

Also what about corpcomms at GLCs (lets assume we are talking about non -listed ones)? For those with corp comms background, would you choose corpcomms at Stat Boards, GLC, MNC, or PR agencies? Do come and share your experience!

Yeah IRPAS is the main organisation for IR. Alot of Heads of Investor Relations are part of the programmes they host. In fact, its compulsory for them to contribute from time to time.

I have experience in multi-billion listed companies IR. The pay is extremely competitive. But I'm not so sure about the smaller companies. And because good IR professionals are extremely scarce, the career progression is remarkable if you are really good.

I think it's best if you join a GLC/MNC. PR agencies lacks the depth at the end of the day.

The course you highlighted above seems pretty good. It covers a broad area of topics. I think for those without financial background, it should help quite a fair bit in terms of introducing you to the field of finance. For those who have finance background, it's really not necessary to attend the course.

The Thread topic should rename as "IR people come in" instead of "CorpComm, MarCom or PR people come in"

APEC - Communications Manager
://apec.org/About-Us/APEC-Secretariat/Employment/CommsOutreachManager.aspx

One of the main problems facing IR industry as a whole is that people who are good in Finance and Business Analytics generally move on to greener pastures in Finance or Strategy related department while those who are good in PR and Coms works generally move on to Marketing department.

The main problem is a percieved lack of prestige and career opportunities. IR in most companies is still seen as a niusance to have around to keep those pesky research analyst and investors at bay. It's like a vicious cycle, the good ones leave, left with the mediocre ones that create a sub par environment which in turn encourage people with potential to leave. The giant MNCs are half decent, but the situation is really bad among mid/small MNCs, local companies and GLC.

I'm generalizing here as I'm sure there are a few good IR people around, but by and large this industry is in a very limbo state with pockets of good companies here & there. If someone is starting career fresh from school, my advice is to go to the marcom side of things first and perhaps do a short stint of a few years somewhere middle of the career if you really are interested.

Communication Manager IKEA
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Internal Communication Manager IKEA
://.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/55959805

Reason is simple. If one is really that good with strategy or financial matters, why stay in IR when so many opportunities in management consultancies or banking? Can get paid 2-3x more than staying...

://.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/44936465
Senior Executive / Assistant Manager (Corporate Social Responsibility)
Hitachi

International Public Affairs Manager
Diageo
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